The limits of existing solutions #3

In recent years, the packaging industry has experienced significant growth, and is now at the center of consumers' increasingly demanding concerns. 

In this series of 4 articles, we will explore the packaging sector, examine current solutions, compare them and highlight their limitations.

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The limits of existing solutions

The packaging industry in France represents a significant part of the economy, with an estimated value of between €30 and €35 billion. However, this economic importance is not without consequences for the environment. In response, the French government and the European Commission have introduced a range of legislation aimed at reducing the environmental impact of packaging, with a particular emphasis on recycling and reuse.

Packaging in figures (according to the latest ADEME study) : 1.5 billion = the number of parcels sent in France each year and 3 days = average lifespan of single-use packaging before it is thrown away

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Towards Reuse: Challenges and Constraints

Faced with the scarcity and rising cost of raw materials, reuse is gradually taking over from recycling. As a result, companies are having to review their logistics strategy to comply with new environmental regulations. In particular, this involves reviewing the eco-design of packaging and limiting the use of superfluous products.

However, this transition to a circular economy is not without its difficulties. Rethinking logistics and limiting the use of unnecessary packaging are major challenges for businesses.

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消費者的道德選擇，物流業的挑戰

隨著人們對再利用和回收的重要性的意識不斷提高，越來越多的消費者願意改變他們的購買習慣，選擇環保包裝，即使這意味著要付出更高的代價。然而，在物流方面，削減成本的無情驅動是一個主要障礙。對利潤的追求往往會導致較不環保的解決方案。

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The solution 

To meet these challenges, existing packaging solutions need to be rethought. One promising approach is to combine the packaging industry with today's digital economy to meet the challenges of modern logistics. This merger could encourage the reuse of packaging on a daily basis by devising solutions such as connected packaging.

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Read the previous article: the different types of packaging