This article was written by Genee Consulting Ltd, a consultancy partner we work with, and is shared as part of our commitment to providing helpful industry insight.
For many packaging businesses, sustainability has traditionally been viewed as a compliance issue. Something to keep up with changing legislation, reduce waste or improve operational efficiency. While those benefits remain important, sustainability is increasingly becoming something else entirely: a competitive advantage.
Today, customers want to know that the businesses they work with share their values, understand their environmental responsibilities and are actively working to reduce their impact.
As more organisations develop their own sustainability strategies, they are looking beyond price and quality when selecting suppliers. Increasingly, procurement teams want evidence that suppliers are managing their environmental impact, measuring carbon emissions and taking meaningful action to improve.
For packaging producers, this shift presents both a challenge and an opportunity.
Sustainability is moving into the supply chain
For many large organisations, the greatest contributor to their carbon footprint isn't their buildings or company vehicles, it's their supply chain.
As businesses work towards ambitious environmental targets, they are asking more questions of the organisations they buy from. Whether supplying retailers, manufacturers or the public sector, packaging businesses are increasingly being asked to demonstrate their environmental credentials as part of procurement processes.
This isn't simply about ticking a compliance box. Customers want confidence that their suppliers are resilient, responsible and committed to continual improvement.
Businesses that can provide clear evidence of their environmental performance are often better placed to:
- strengthen tender submissions
- retain existing customers
- build trust with new clients
- differentiate themselves from competitors
Good environmental management makes good business sense
Preparing for customer sustainability requests doesn't need to mean creating complex reports or employing dedicated sustainability teams.
Many businesses find that implementing a structured Environmental Management System (EMS) helps them organise the information they increasingly need while also delivering operational benefits.
Frameworks such as Investors in the Environment (iiE) help organisations understand where they use energy, produce waste and consume resources, creating opportunities to reduce costs while improving environmental performance.
Businesses regularly identify savings through:
- reduced energy consumption
- improved waste management
- better resource efficiency
- more informed purchasing decisions
- improved employee engagement
These improvements don't just reduce environmental impact, they often improve profitability too.
Evidence matters more than intentions
Customers are increasingly looking for evidence rather than aspirations. For example, having clear environmental policies, measurable objectives and recognised accreditation provides reassurance that sustainability is embedded within a business rather than existing as a marketing statement.
External accreditations such as Investors in the Environment can help businesses demonstrate that they have robust environmental management processes in place while providing a framework for continual improvement.
For SMEs, this structured approach can be particularly valuable, helping businesses respond confidently to customer questionnaires, procurement requirements and growing requests for environmental data without creating unnecessary administration.
Future-proofing your business
Sustainability expectations are unlikely to decrease. Supply chain reporting, environmental legislation and customer expectations continue to evolve, meaning businesses that start preparing now will be better placed to respond to future requirements.
The businesses that will succeed won't necessarily be those with the biggest sustainability teams. They'll be the ones that can clearly demonstrate progress, provide credible evidence and continually improve.
Sustainability is no longer simply about reducing environmental impact. Increasingly, it's helping businesses win work, strengthen customer relationships and build resilience for the future.
More Information
At Genee, we work with Wastepack members to help them develop practical environmental management systems through Investors in the Environment. By taking a structured approach, businesses can improve efficiency, reduce costs and demonstrate the environmental credentials that customers are increasingly looking for.
Genee Consulting Ltd is the Northern Delivery Partner for Investors in the Environment. To find out more about the accreditation and how Genee can support your sustainability journey, contact us at jo@genee.org.uk.
