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The Aluminum Boom – Why More Businesses are Using Aluminum Packaging

Although some people can be hesitant when it comes to change, in business settings, change is sometimes good. In fact, sometimes, change is needed. When it comes to the packaging industry, never has a sentence been truer.

When plastic packaging was first conceived, it was believed to change the way we did business forever. Not only was it cheap to produce, it was also durable, readily available, and affordable for businesses as well. Of course, decades ago, we didn’t know then what we know now.

Today, plastic packaging is considered to be incredibly bad for the environment, not to mention our health in general. So harmful in fact, that many businesses are pledging to make their packaging 100% plastic-free. As admirable as that is, we have to ask whether it’s practical? After all, plastic packaging was incredibly useful, so what can realistically take its place that will not only serve the same function, but also help the environment? The answer for many, is aluminum packaging.

Here’s a look at the aluminum boom and why so many businesses now use aluminum packaging in place of plastic.

Futureproofing

Because of the dangers that plastic packaging poses, a large number of governments and officiating bodies around the world are taking steps to phase plastic packaging out to ensure companies are more eco-friendly.

While the steps and measures taken vary from nation to nation, we’re seeing plastic taxes being imposed in some countries, which means companies that purchase and use plastic packaging for their products will have to pay more taxes.

In the European Union (EU), new waste regulations put in place state that, by 2030, all packaging used must be made from at least 70% recycled materials. By 2038, that figure will increase to 80%.

Plastic is not very recyclable. It can only be recycled a small number of times before it is deemed useless. Each time it is recycled, it becomes weaker and less durable. It also requires a lot of energy to do so. Aluminum, however, is one of the world’s most recycled materials.

Aluminum is one of few materials in the world that is infinitely recyclable. It can be recycled over and over again with no loss in strength or quality. Recycling it also utilizes far less energy than producing it from new. 95% less energy in fact. Because of this, for businesses looking to futureproof their organizations and avoid problems down the line, aluminum packaging makes perfect sense.

Changing Customer Habits

Whilst there used to be a time when the cost of an item was the sole deciding factor in terms of whether or not a customer would purchase it, today, things are different.

Despite the economy being far from ideal at the moment, customer buying habits are changing. Instead of simply opting for the cheapest products, customers are instead looking to purchase environmentally friendly products from environmentally friendly brands, even if it means paying more.

In fact, consumers now feel so strongly about this, that using plastic packaging could actually lose you money. Yes, according to market research, a large percentage of consumers would actually boycott a certain brand or product if it came packaged in plastic, especially single-use plastic that cannot be recycled.

Because aluminum packaging is so sustainable, packaging your products in this material means that you’re more likely to attract eco-conscious shoppers and enhance your brand reputation in the process. Talk about a win/win.

Long-Term Savings

Listen, we’re not trying to pull the wool over anybody’s eyes here. Is aluminum packaging cheaper than plastic from the get-go? Probably not. Over the long-term, is it more economic? Absolutely!

Rather than purchasing plastic packaging in bulk, think of aluminum packaging as an investment for your business instead. Aluminum packaging offers superior preservation properties compared with plastic, which means it will help to prolong the shelf life of products, and prevent spoilage and inventory wastage.

Aluminum also has significantly lower end-of-life disposal costs when compared with single use plastic. For companies that utilize aluminum packaging, this could potentially reduce operational costs by as much as 50%. From the offset, plastic packaging may seem more economic and affordable, but over the long-term, aluminum packaging is economically superior in every single way.

Packaging Overhauls

Because aluminum packaging has enjoyed such enormous growth over the years, the sheer volume of packaging options that companies can now choose from has never been greater.

Gone are the days when your only options as far as packaging was concerned were drinks cans and foil trays. Today, aluminum packaging is more diverse and versatile than ever. We have aluminum bottles, pouches, tubes, trays, wraps, tins, cans, and more besides, all in a variety of different colors, styles, shapes, sizes, and designs.

Aluminum packaging is immediately eye catching and really stands out. It looks sleek, elegant, classy, modern, and stylish and looks infinitely more premium than plastic. For companies that want to give their products and brands a more premium look and feel, you couldn’t really ask for more.