Odd Couple: Beef Consumption & Sustainable Packaging

It might seem strange to couple beef consumption and sustainable packaging together - but when it comes to the current state of consumer awareness, it actually makes a great deal of sense. Earth conscious, Earth-friendly, sustainable - all buzzwords today, no matter the industry, and these two industries are definitely included.

Check out this great article from the Calgary Herald, “Beef Industry Works to Become More Environmentally Sustainable”: http://calgaryherald.com/business/local-business/beef-industry-works-to-become-more-environmentally-sustainable. In it, the issue of sustainability in the cattle industry is raised, and the ways in which ranchers are taking very seriously the push to make everything they do more sustainable are highlighted. This includes changing decade-long practices to make them more eco-friendly, and creating a committee to discuss the matter specifically, the Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef.

Why this push in the beef sector? For one thing, thanks to population growth and the rise of a new global middle-class, global meat demand is expected to surge by 70 by 2050, meaning more pressure on the beef industry to produce.

Secondly, the push also comes as a result of growing consumer awareness. Far more people are aware of the environmental impacts of what they are consuming, hence the need for the Canadian cattle industry to stand up and make changes. For example, recognizing the consumer demand for ethical, high-quality beef, several big name fast food chains have now adopted these buzz words or their counterparts as part of their marketing campaigns - and people seem to be responding well.

Here is where the connection with sustainable packaging comes in. Whether you operate in the beef sector or not, sustainability should be important to you as well. As mentioned, consumers are now far more aware, and whether or not a company chooses to be earth-friendly has come to play a major role in influencing purchasing decisions.

So, looking at your own packaging, here are some things to think about for the months ahead:

• Does your custom packaging reflect sustainability?
• Is the fact that your packaging is ethical and responsible visible to your consumer?
• Does your packaging reflect a conscious decision to choose the most minimal, recyclable materials?
• Does your packaging speak to a number of different groups in the global market?

As consumers become more and more aware of the importance of sustainability, the need to cater to these wants will inevitably increase, thereby further influencing our decisions, especially when it comes to packaging.

For more about sustainable packaging, both in design and manufacturing, please contact Packaging Technologies Inc. today at 1-800-303-5883.