Sustainable Packaging Protects Sensitive Products in Transit - Report Example

Logistics Introduction In this age of extreme competition, the phrase of sustainability acts as an oft recurring term. This is mainly due to the fact that, this term protects the products of varied segments to retain for a longer period of time. As a result of which, the organizations preparing varied types perishable or non-perishable or sensitive products desire to utilise flexible or sustainable packaging. Moreover, due to the use of such types of sustainable packaging products, the level of pollution also gets reduced to a significant extent. Along with this, varied types of designed materials are used to make the sensitive products extremely safe and attractive to the customers thereby enhancing its rate of sale. Therefore, due to these underlining reasons, the demand of the packaging industry is expanding with a rapid pace that amplified its CAGR rate to a certain extent. This essay is divided into five stages mainly describing the importance of sustainable packaging in this age. Along with this, it also highlights the effectiveness of using sustainable packaging in order to save the materials from getting destroyed, while travelling. Apart from this, the concept of ‘green’ in air- cargo is also highlighted in this essay. Moreover, the effectiveness of using recycled packaging is also described so as to protect the environment from the impacts of poisonous gases. Analysis and Discussion Why packaging? In this busy age, packaging plays a significant role in the lives of the professional individuals. As a result of which, the industry of packaging enhanced with significant leaps and bounds in the past three or four decades. It is mainly due to the craze of the individual to attain fresh and pollution free products at any time of the day. Along with this, the fascination of sustainable or flexible packaging materials is increasing mainly due to its convenience and safety (Elworthy & Holder, 1997). As a result of which, the demand for flexible or sustainable packaging enhanced to a significant extent as compared to many others such as paper, rigid plastic, glass, metal as well as hard cartons. Therefore, due to these above mentioned reasons, the demand for sustainable packaging is increasing day by day in this age as compared to previous era. Sustainable packaging protects sensitive products in transit - How? In this age of globalization and industrialization, the concept of packaging has changed radically. This is because; in today’s era maximum extent of the manufacturers desire to present attractive packaging materials in order to fascinate the attentions of the customers. This strategy is implemented in order to enhance the range of total sale and profitability of the organization. Apart from this, the idea of sustainable packaging is highly preferred by the consumers due to varied reasons described below: Easy to handle- in this busy age, every individual desires to carry the products very easily and effortlessly. However, in order to make this desire fulfilled, the concept of sustainable packaging came into limelight. Apart from this, due to the presence of sustainable or flexible packaging, the materials may also be transported very easily from one part to another, without any sort of damage. Easy to open and close- Varied types of sustainable packaging materials are used to reduce the cost of damages, that might take place at the time of opening and closing the products. As a result of which, the amount of claim rates might get reduced thereby enhancing the amount of profit margin. Along with this, due to the introduction of sustainable packaging materials, the weight of the sensitive products such as electronic products may be reduced significantly at the time of booking the shipments. Due to all these various reasons, the demand of these packaging materials are increasing in this age as compared to others. Protections from environmental pollutants- now a day, maximum extent of the consumers are highly conscious about health and wellbeing. Keeping this fact in mind, most of the consumers desire to use sustainable packaging materials for their products. This protects the products from getting polluted due to varied types of impurities such as dust, carbon dioxide, methane, carbon- monoxide, coal dust particles, sand participles, nitrogen along with various types of germs floating in air. As a result of such types of pollutants, the sensitive food materials such as diary milk become instantly infected. Therefore, in order to protect it from varied types of germs for longer period of time, flexible or sustainable packaging materials such as pet bottles, metal beverage cans, liquid plastics and liquid cartoons are used. Convenience- most of the sustainable packaging materials such as thin-walled plastic containers are used for convenience. So that the materials may be transferred very easily and handily at the time of travelling. For longer shelf life- sustainable packaging materials are also used in order to increase the shelf-life of various sensitive products such as packed milk and milk products. However, if these milk-related materials are not packaged in best way, then it might get adulterated due to various germs resulting in wastage of the product. Thus, the above mentioned reasons, clearly depicts the ways for which, sustainable packaging materials are used. Air Cargo Should Go ‘Green’ To Save the Environment and Save Money Sustainability is the most essential requirement for the Air Cargo’s as travelling emits a huge amount of green house gases into the environment. As a result of which the inner temperature of the ground is getting heated resulting in enhancement of the chances of global warming. Due to which, the impacts of ultra-violet rays is increasing thereby boosting the chances of various skin disorders and rashes. Apart from this, due to excess emission of green house gases, the amount of depletion of ozone layer is also increasing at a rapid pace. Keeping all these impacts in mind, the members of IATA decided to implement the strategy of neutralising carbon footprints, so as to reduce the impacts of green house gases. This is done, to enhance the rate of sustainability of the air cargoes thereby amplifying the rate of profitability. Along with this, such a strategy also helped the organizations of air cargo to attract a huge range of customers thereby enhancing its reliability and loyalty in the market among other rival players. Moreover, such a strategy might also prove effective for the organizations of air cargoes to enhance its consistency and dependency to a significant extent. However, in order to do so, the air cargoes implemented varied types techniques and technologies, mentioned below: Use of solar power- now a day, maximum extent of air cargoes like Dax or Dynalifters are using solar energy in-spite of renewable energy. This is done, in order to reduce the impacts of green-house gases over the environment. Apart from this, solar power is used to reduce the over-dependence on fossil fuels thereby enhancing its rate of extinction. So, it is highly preferred. Use of improved technologies and operations- maximum extent of air cargoes are designed with specialised wheels of different sizes so as to reduce its speed. It is done to reduce the emission of fossil fuels thereby enhancing the concept of eco-friendliness. Along with this, the air cargoes are equipped with various detachable cargo pods in order to increase the process of loading and off-loading. Not only thus, in order to increase to loading capacity, a prototype is also used of varying lengths. Use of Bio-derived synthetic paraffinic kerosene (Bio-SPK)- now a day, maximum extent of the air-cargoes utilise bio-SPK in order to reduce the use of fossil fuels. As a result of which, the rate of emissions of fossil fuels also get reduced to a certain extent as compared to others. Apart from this, due to the use of Bio SPK, the rate of disposal of various organic wastes also gets reduced thereby enhancing the rate of purity. Therefore, due to the use of such type of fuels, the level of sustainability gets enhanced thereby boosting its competitive advantage in the entire globe among others (Selke, 1997, pp. 213-223). Lighter and quieter engines- apart from these, in order to reduce the extent of noise pollution, now a day, lighter and quieter engines are used. Therefore, in order to reduce the weight of the loads of the air cargoes, aerodynamic lift is placed in the wings and hull. As a result of which, the air cargoes become extremely light weight and may take-off easily (Specter, 2013, pp. 313- 325). Due to the implementation of these inventive techniques and strategies, the organizations operating in the segment of air cargo attained varied types of advantages, presented below: Saving huge amount of revenue- in order to save the environment from the impacts of green houses gases, the concept of bio-fuels is used. Due to the consumption of the bio-degradable fuels, a huge amount of revenue may be saved. This proved extremely effective for the organizations of air cargoes thereby amplifying its rate of competitiveness and reliability in the market among others. Improvement of brand image- due to the introduction of the concept of ‘green’, the image and position of the organizations of air cargoes enhanced thereby amplifying its consistency. Enhancement of customers- due to the introduction of bio- degradable fuels, the dependency of the organization within the minds of the customers enhanced. As a result of which, the rate of customers increased thereby amplifying its profitability to a certain extent among others. Improvement of market growth- as the organizations of air cargo offered high level of concentration over, the concept of ‘green’, their market share enhanced. As a result of which, their rate of expansion and growth enhanced thereby amplifying its level of sustainability in the market (OECD, 2012). Thus, from the above mentioned points, it might be clearly depicted that the concept of green proved extremely effective for the organizations of air cargoes. Growth and Expansion of the Concept of Recycled Packaging Materials In order to retain the market share and market demand, maximum extent of the organizations dealing with freight or packaging desires to utilise the concept of recycled products such as PET and HDPE. By doing so, the consumption quantity of non-renewable fossil fuels may be reduced along with diminution of wastes. PET is also described as polyethylene terephthalate, commonly used in packaging industries in order to enhance the level of sustainability. Similarly HDPE, known as high-density ethylene is also used as a recycled plastic for packaging materials like bottled waters, ketcups, jars, juices, cosmetics, frozen foods and many others (Jedlicka, 2009, pp. 412-423). These types of plastics are used in order to enhance the concept of recycle, reuse and reduce wastes. Apart from these, use of these types of recycled packaging materials also offer varied other types of benefits, presented below: High clarity- use of PET and HDPE type of recycled packaging materials offers high level of clarity to the food products thereby reducing the chances of purity and cleanliness. So, these recycled materials are used by the packaging organizations to offer its customers, extremely lucidity so as to retain or attract a huge range of customers towards its brand (Low-Tech Magazine, 2007). High level of temperature tolerance- use of these types of recycled plastics helps to tolerate high level of heat. Due to which, the quality of the ingredients of the food materials remains extremely pure and free from any sort of viral or bacterial germs. High level of resistance- as these recycled plastics offer high level of resistance, so they are highly preferred by the packaging industries in this era (Farmer, 2007, pp. 343-356). Resists moistures and all sort of gases-utilisation of recycled plastic like PET and HDPE helps to resists varied types of gases and moistures. As a result of which, the food stuffs present within these containers remains fresh for longer period of time as compared to others (Icao, n. d.) . Light weight- another essential quality for which these plastic materials are used for packaging is its light weight. So, it might easily be carried from one place to another. Due to these reasons, these materials are highly preferred both by the customers and the organizations (DAX - dependable Aircargo express 2014). Therefore, it might be stated due these above mentioned reasons, the recycled packaging materials are highly preferred by the organizations dealing in this segment. Findings In order to retain the level of sustainability, modern and trendy techniques and approaches need to be implemented by the organizations. Only then, it might enhance its level of brand image and prosperity in the market among many other rival players. Similarly, the organizations of packaging desired to use recycled materials such as PET and HDPE plastics in order to offer convenient and safe products for long range of time. Along with this, utilisation of such types of packaging materials might also protect the materials from getting contaminated with dust or air particles due to high level of tolerance of heat and chemicals (Bond, 2013). As a result, the level of preference of these materials is extremely high as compared to many others. Thus, use of these materials helped in enhancement of the reputation as well as profitability of the packaging organizations. After analysing and evaluating the above mentioned paragraphs, it might be analysed that the organization of packaging might enhance its image and position, only by the use of recycled and reused materials. Due to which, maximum extent of the organizations are trying to offer more concentration over the use of recycled materials such as PET and HDPE in order to increase the dependency and consistency of the customers over the brand thereby amplifying the rate of profit margin. Along with this, use of such type of materials might also help the organization in enhancing its sustainability and competitiveness in the market among other rival players. Moreover, such a strategy might reduce the threats and weaknesses thereby amplifying the underlining strengths of the organization. So, it is highly accepted by the organization, operating in diverse segments (ANA GROUP, 2013). Conclusion Conclusively it might be depicted that sustainability is the most essential requirement of the organizations, operating in any segment in this age of high rivalry. This is because; without which an organization might neither enhance its brand value nor image in the market among others. Apart from this, it may not amplify its range of customers or loyalty in the market, which is extremely essential for the growth of the organization. Therefore, keeping this strategy in mind, maximum extent of the organizations desires to offer value-added products such as PET or HDPE in case of packaging organizations. Similarly, the organizations of air cargo desire to offer high level of preference over the use of bio-degradable resources. By doing so, the over dependence over fossil fuels might be reduced thereby declining the impacts of green house gases to a certain extent. As a result of which the impacts of depleted ozone layer and global warming might be reduced thereby saving the environment from its negative effects. Due to these underlining reasons, the concept of ‘green’ is highly preferred by the organizations, of varied segments. By offering high attention over eco-friendliness, not only the brand image of the organization might be enhanced but also the globe might be saved from the ill effects of global warming. Work Cited ANA GROUP. 2013. Annual Report, 2013. [Online] Available at: https://mail-attachment.googleusercontent.com/attachment/?ui=2&ik=ac064582fe&view=att&th=1422193a2487f087&attid=0.1&disp=inline&realattid=f_hnl9hnp91&safe=1&zw&saduie=AG9B_P-UVVK5x-Z1M_RHml2lZxtq&sadet=1383547271785&sads=lSrNOoFi5pq4_MdY-pior1F1rX0 [Accessed on 23rd January, 2014]. Bond, Josh. 2013. Packaging: Sustainable packaging protects sensitive products in transit. 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