- Expiration Dates: To what extent are we all planning, collaborating and using FIFO discipline/track-and-trace system so no products are thrown out due to expiry issues?”
- Recycling: Are packaging materials now recyclable?
- Disposal: Is all waste easy to dispose of?
- Consumer-Friendly Graphics: Does the package have easy-to-read graphics to help the consumer identify what to recycle?
- Smart Sizing: How are you reducing the retail shelf footprint and cutting packaging costs?
- Specific Messaging: How are you considering messaging to help the retailer show how the packaging cuts waste (xx % from recycled materials, for example)? Pro Hint: For e-commerce, make sure you’re using materials sized right and also using materials that the customer can recycle once the product is out of the packaging.
- Compact Packaging: To what extent are you considering the weight-to-package size? Pro Hint: Designing packaging that fits the most product on each truck means sending fewer trucks on the road, and that cuts freight costs.
- Vertical Space: To what extent are we able double stack pallets to reduce shipping expense?
- Driving Distance: Are you co-packing in facilities that are close to consumers and distribution centers?
- Easy Returns: For returns, to what extent do you make it easy for consumers to return products in original packaging? This keeps the packaging out of the landfills, and it provides the best protection for the returned merchandise.