Don't Skip Performance Testing With Sustainable Packaging

So, you found a sustainable packaging solution that you're pumped about and you're ready to say "Yes!" You're fired up that you'll finally be part of the solution when it comes to protecting the planet, and your entire team is excited too.

But have you tested whether or not your new sustainable packaging will perform properly?

During this exciting time, I want you to pause for just one moment.

The Critical Factor Many Brands Miss

When switching to sustainable packaging, there's one crucial factor that gets overlooked far too often: performance.

I've heard plenty of stories of brands who make the move to sustainable packaging only to regret it because they did not adequately performance test.

Unlike sustainable brochures or business cards where performance requirements are minimal, packaging has to work flawlessly in multiple ways. It must protect your product, maintain freshness, withstand shipping, run efficiently on production lines, and more.

Here's the takeaway upfront: Always ensure your sustainable packaging will perform as well as or better than your current solution. Nothing is sustainable about food spoiling prematurely or products arriving damaged.

The Performance Gap Challenge

Many brands have experienced an unfortunate surprise when switching to sustainable materials. They made the change with the best environmental intentions, only to discover their products weren't adequately protected or preserved.

As the saying goes, "There's nothing sustainable about food waste." If your eco-friendly packaging causes premature spoilage, you've created a bigger environmental problem than you've solved.

Critical Performance Factors to Test

Before implementing any sustainable packaging solution, thoroughly evaluate the performance aspects. Here are a few examples that you can consider testing:

1. Barrier Properties

• Oxygen Transfer Rate (OTR): Will oxygen penetrate the packaging and cause spoilage?
• Moisture Vapor Transfer Rate (MVTR): Will moisture get in or out, affecting product quality?
• Freshness preservation: Will the packaging maintain product texture, integrity, and sensory attributes throughout the intended shelf life?

2. Physical Protection

• Drop testing: Will the packaging protect products when dropped during shipping?
• Durability in transit: Can it withstand the rigors of your distribution network?
• Compression strength: Will it hold up when stacked during storage and transportation?

3. Compatibility Factors

• Production equipment compatibility: Will it run efficiently on your existing packaging lines?
• Sealing integrity: Will heat seals maintain their strength and prevent leakage?
• Leak-proof qualities: Is it resistant to oil, water, and other product components?

4. Environmental Resilience

• Temperature resistance: Can it withstand freezing, refrigeration, or high temperatures if needed?
• Weather resistance: Will it maintain integrity in various environmental conditions?
• Humidity tolerance: How does performance change in different humidity levels?

5. Safety Concerns

• Chemical safety: Have you conducted migration testing to ensure no harmful substances leach into your product?
• Non-toxicity verification: Is the packaging safe for food contact if applicable?
• Allergen considerations: Does it introduce any new allergen risks?

Don't Assume Performance Will Match

The most dangerous assumption is that sustainable packaging will perform identically to conventional options. Each material has different properties that must be thoroughly tested in your specific application.

For example, a plant-based plastic might have different heat resistance than a petroleum-based one. A recycled cardboard might have less strength than virgin material. These differences must be understood and addressed before implementation.

The Testing Process

Work with packaging engineers and testing laboratories to conduct thorough performance testing. This might include:

• Accelerated shelf-life testing
• Distribution simulation testing
• Migration testing for chemical safety
• Compatibility testing with your production equipment
• Environmental condition testing

Finding the Balance

The good news is that sustainable packaging performance has improved dramatically in recent years. Many options now match or exceed conventional packaging performance while offering environmental benefits.

By thoroughly testing performance factors, you can find sustainable options that protect your product effectively while reducing environmental impact—a true win-win situation.

Remember: sustainable packaging that fails to perform isn't sustainable at all. Take the time to verify performance, and you'll create truly sustainable solutions that benefit both your business and the planet.

Our Recommendation

The fastest way to find a sustainable solution that will perform is to choose an option that someone who also sells your product is already successfully using. Not to assume your product is exactly the same, that would be a mistake, but rather much of the R&D is already done and you have reason to believe that your product is going to work also.

If someone has gone before you, you can stand on the shoulders of giants. As much as we all want to be leaders in the sustainable packaging movement, it's also equally powerful to just join in with the rest of us and protect the planet. We should celebrate the pioneers but also the people who follow the direction of pioneers.