The role of sustainability and smart packaging
Sustainability is a major concern in the packaging industry, with increasing pressure to reduce waste and minimize environmental impact. Smart packaging and IoT can play a crucial role in promoting sustainability by improving resource efficiency and reducing the overall carbon footprint. For instance, IoT-enabled smart packaging can help optimize material usage ensuring products are packaged in the most efficient way. By tracking and monitoring product conditions throughout the supply chain, companies can identify areas of waste, such as over-pack or excessive material usage, and take steps to reduce it. This not only saves costs but also contributes to more sustainable packaging processes. Additionally, smart packaging can support programs by providing consumers with information on how to properly dispose of packaging materials. QR codes and RFID tags can be used to guide customers on recycling instructions, making it to sort and recycle packaging components. Therefore, smart packaging can help drive the adoption of circular economy principles, where materials are reused, recycled, and reutilized minimize waste.
