Labels and product packaging have become an integral part of the green revolution as more and more manufacturers turn to sustainable materials and reusable paper.
Not only businesses, but consumers are also becoming environmentally-conscious, hence they prefer brands that show the same vigor.
One area that is driving change in this regard is product labeling. The traditional labels that use non-recyclable materials are not preferred anymore.
What are eco-friendly shipping labels, and how do they reduce your carbon footprint?
Get to know all about this today, and make your brand a preferred name in an eco-friendly market.
What are Biodegradable Labels?
Biodegradable labels are designed in a way that they can be broken down and reused in different ways. These labels break down into non-toxic components when they are exposed to any environmental condition such as moisture, air, and microorganisms.
Moreover, these labels can break down and decompose within a short period, and reduce waste. The materials used for such labels are biodegradable paper, compostable films, recycled materials, and water-soluble adhesives.
These labels offer the same quality and durability that businesses need to contribute positively to the environment.
Need to Shift to Biodegradable Labels
Nowadays, eco-friendly products and labels have become a preference for consumers. Moreover, more economical options for biodegradable materials have made it an obvious choice for manufacturers.
If a business wants to retain its customers and promote a greener planet, choosing biodegradable labels will always be a better option.
Consumers are shifting to eco-friendly products and shipping labels, which means a drastic shift towards sustainability.
Surveys show that a whopping 73% of consumers want to change to brands that have a positive impact on the environment. If given a choice, these customers will pick the brands that have eco-friendly labels and packaging.
Another reason for biodegradable label options is the government and regulatory bodies’ restrictions. Single-use plastics and waste materials such as vacuum packaging for edibles are not a preference as these regulatory bodies condemn the use of extra layers of plastics.
Moreover, packaging and labeling solutions are also a necessity because of the lower cost of packaging which adds to the cost of the product. For numerous industries, packaging with biodegradable properties is not a marketing gimmick, but a business regulation that stems from consumer preferences.
Consumers can reduce their carbon footprint by selecting the right products. The labels made from non-biodegradable materials become a long-term pollution and greenhouse gas emission problem.
On the contrary, biodegradable labels do not have any carbon footprint because they do not emit any harmful toxins, and decompose naturally. Using these labels makes businesses reduce their carbon footprint.
Major Differences Between Biodegradable and Traditional Labels
Biodegradable labels differ from traditional labels in numerous ways:
- Environmental Impact: Biodegradable labels can disintegrate naturally and do not contribute to environmental pollution. Non-biodegradable labels do not decompose naturally and have to be recycled, using heat or water, which means loss of natural resources or extra use of energy.
- Material Options: The materials used for eco-friendly shipping labels are leaves, recycled paper, and natural adhesives, which are produced without the use of fuel or other natural resources. The materials for traditional labels can be any material.
- Cost: The cost of reusable and recyclable materials is much lower than that of traditional materials. This shift to biodegradable and eco-friendly labels can be an excellent way to reduce the cost without compromising on quality.
- Breakdown Time: The breakdown time for eco-friendly labels is much less than for traditional materials. A label made with leaves and reused paper can decompose within weeks or a few months at maximum. On the contrary, the breakdown of traditional labels takes centuries!
Benefits of Biodegradable Materials
When you move the company’s labeling materials from traditional to eco-friendly, you will observe that it enhances the brand reputation.
Consumers begin to recognize the brand as an eco-friendly and environmentally-conscious brand. This shift in materials can lead to an increase in consumers.
- Cost-Effective Production: A benefit of eco-friendly practices is cost-effective production, which means higher profits. Moreover, increased customer loyalty and brand recognition are also a side effect of changing to eco-friendly practices.
- Versatility: No matter what the nature of your products, if you use biodegradable labels, it will get you the versatile feature of being sustainable, durable, and customizable without compromising on the clarity of the shipping labels.
Making the Switch
If you feel that you need to contribute positively to the planet’s well-being and adopt eco-friendly practices, you can turn to biodegradable labels in a short period.
All you will need to do is assess your labeling needs, and determine if the nature of your products requires moisture-resistant or compostable labels. The recycled paper options can be considered to replace the traditional labels and maximize profits.
You can find a trusted label manufacturer that can cater to your labeling needs. When you find a supplier, you can customize and specify the label quality to ensure that your customers get all the required information from the label while it remains eco-friendly. The first thing to do before applying the label is to check it and ensure that it serves the purpose well.
Simultaneously, educate your customers and tell them what eco-friendly labels can do for them and the environment. Moreover, this campaign can become an easy way for other manufacturers to also make the move from traditional labels to sustainable ones.
Last Words
Eco-friendly shipping labels can be an excellent way of reducing carbon footprint as these labels are compostable and made from biodegradable materials.
There are several benefits of using these labels. One big benefit of biodegradable labels is that they can be economical and do not require a lot of production costs.
Manufacturers should choose these labels over other options to improve customer loyalty and enhance profits.
If you’re interested in learning more about our label services and would like us to provide you with a FREE quote, trust the experts at M&R Label to help you!
📞 Call Us at (708) 534-6621 or Request a Quote!
