Shopping centres are currently in the middle of a green transformation, as they look to implement more eco-friendly practices that aim to help the environment. There’s a rise of centres adding green spaces within their buildings, allowing customers to go to an area that promotes relaxation midway through their shopping trip.
This eco-friendly approach has also impacted the packaging used by the stores located within the shopping centre, with more sustainable methods of creating and distributing packaging allowing them to have a better impact on the environment. Everything from the materials used to their design can determine how sustainable shopping centres are with their packaging, helping them to make a real difference.
In this guide, we will explore the ways that shopping centres have embraced green packaging, helping to achieve Net Zero goals. Continue reading to find out more.
Reducing Packaging Waste in Shopping Centres
Eco-Friendly Materials
Some of the largest UK brands like Marks & Spencer, Boots and Asda are transitioning to paper packaging, which is lightweight, recyclable and often made from post-consumer waste. These are located in almost every shopping centre in the country, which has influenced the buildings to also take a similar approach to their overall packaging. The use of plant-based materials like seaweed, starch or mushroom packaging is also rising, allowing packaging to decompose quickly rather than fill landfills like regular cardboard boxes usually do. Recycled cardboard boxes are becoming more popular within the industry too.
Circular Economy Principles
Several retailers that take up premium spaces within shopping centres have begun to introduce refill stations for cosmetic products, which aims to minimise packaging waste. Consumer demand for sustainability is high, with many looking to reduce, reuse and cut plastic waste. This has made these refill stations very popular among shoppers, as they can refill their products without having to purchase new ones that need to be shipped out. H&M offer programs for customers to return old packaging or items for recycling or resale, allowing it to be reused multiple times if it’s consistently sent back by sustainability-focused customers.
Minimalist Design
Unnecessary packaging layers are becoming a thing of the past, with manufacturers employed by shopping centres encouraged to design packaging that is minimalist. This avoids any complex designs that usually take up more material to implement. Using skinny design techniques to ensure boxes snugly fit products, eliminates the need for excessive filler material that could be considered a waste. Manufacturers are also instructed to replace plastic air pillows or bubble wrap with paper or biodegradable alternatives that don’t take up any landfill space.
Smart Technology
Implementing unique QR codes like the digital deposit return scheme trial by Ocado allows customers to access recycling information and receive rewards for returning packaging. The industry is also moving towards 2D barcodes by 2027 to improve inventory management for shopping centres that will help to reduce waste from overstocking. There’s also new technology that can be used that reduces the time it takes to create packaging, meaning less time and money is wasted.
Benefits of Greener Packaging
Customer Loyalty
It’s been found that 87% of people prefer to buy from businesses that demonstrate environmental responsibility. This is especially the case for Gen-Z customers, as they have a stronger passion for sustainability than other generations. The hope is to make more people from this generation go to shopping centres, with there being an overall decline in the amount of them that go compared to purchasing items online.
Cost Savings
While initial costs of implementing greener manufacturing protocols for packaging, it often results in lower waste disposal fees and lower logistics costs due to reduced weight. This allows shopping centres to save money over time, which can then be used to improve other aspects of the building that will boost customer experience.
Regulatory Compliance
Proactively adopting eco-friendly packaging methods helps retailers avoid fines associated with increasing environmental EU regulations. There’s been a crunch on the environmental impact that businesses can have, which is all a part of helping achieve Net Zero goals by 2040. Every company needs to be compliant for this to become a reality.
Final Thoughts
The shift toward green packaging is more than just a trend for shopping centres, as it has become necessary for them to attract a more dedicated customer-base. When it comes to packaging, choosing sustainable materials and embracing smart technology allows shopping centres to become more environmentally responsible, especially those in developing areas like The Liberty shopping centre in Essex. This helps them protect the planet while also making the day-to-day operation of the facility cheaper. It also builds deeper trust with shoppers and ensures that businesses stay ahead of new regulations.