Single use will become a hot topic – what does it mean for print?
We have all seen the images of an ocean inundated by plastic
The images are horrific. Governments are responding. And one of the major movements has been to target single-use plastic. In many areas, the majority of single-use plastic is banned.
However, plastic is only the start. The discussions around single use items are set to increase. Single-use print will also be on the radar. People will start to question the use of items such as paper wrap, wrapping paper, flyers and door-drops and even direct mail.
Claiming that paper is recyclable is no longer enough
Paper has an excellent ability to be recycled. However, that doesn’t mean that the recycling actually happens. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, in 2022 nearly a third of paper used in the US was not recycled. The amount of waste created by all activities will start to be increasingly questioned.
In environmental terms, recycling should be seen as a last resort. Before then we should be thinking about reducing and re-using. This mindset will become increasingly common.
Forward thinking printing companies should focus on re-usable print
In terms of the work that they do, they should be moving away from single-use products. They should be focusing on items that have a longer life. For instance, this might include re-usable packaging, exhibition stands or photo products.
Claiming that everything we print is ok because it can be recycled will, rightly, start to be challenged.
Creating the right sales message around this can be challenging
Check out How To Stop Print Buyers Choosing On Price where you learn how to create powerful sales messages, no matter what type of print seller you are.
