Yesterday, I read an article that mentioned a popular beverage will now be available in green tinted plastic bottles (ref. https://www.packagingdigest.com/sustainability/7up-screwed-up-by-going-green).
This is in contrast to best practices which recommend that beverages be packaged in a clear PET bottle because it will make bottles easier to recycle. However, such a shift also presents a challenge in maintaining brand identity. Operational excellence can bridge this gap, ensuring that sustainability efforts enhance rather than compromise the brand.
Disclaimer: I cannot say why the beverage (referred in the above article) is allegedly being offered in tinted bottles, because I do not have any official statement from the makers. But as an operational excellence expert, I am giving my perspective and insights on how any company can embrace change to sustainable packaging.
Here are five fronts to focus on:
1. Sustainability as a Strategic Priority
Embracing eco-friendly packaging material and adopting circular economy principles is no longer optional; it’s a strategic priority for businesses aiming for long-term success. Hence, companies must embed ‘sustainability’ as a default into their operational excellence frameworks, ensuring it drives both innovation and competitive advantage.
Check out: The power of circular economy is a game changer for enhancing operational excellence.
2. Product Integrity:
The need for a color tint in the PET bottles may not always be for cosmetic reasons. As a seasoned formulation scientist (in my previous work life) I can confidently say that, if the product composition is sensitive to UV rays, then packing them in tinted brown or blue bottles will maintain its integrity. Otherwise, the product can degrade and will have to get recalled from the market, which will adversely impact customers, profitability and brand reputation.
Therefore, replacing tinted to clear for primary packing of products is a big decision.
So, to make the go/no-go decision, first test your product for its stability to sunlight and heat. If product meets shelf-life specifications, then all is well to go for the change. If not, you have a huge challenge in your hands, that of- Reformulating your product without changing its sensory appeal! In such a scenario use statistical experimental designs aka DOE (design of experiments) to conduct trials and stratified sampling for testing, to get maximum data with minimal lab work. Check out: What is DOE? and What is Stratified sampling? Combining DOE with stratified sampling, is a sure formula for reformulating any product in the fast lane.
3. Brand Identity and Consumer Perception
While the bottle’s new color may affect consumer recognition, this presents an opportunity for brand innovation. By effectively communicating the sustainability benefits and reinforcing the message through marketing campaigns, companies can turn potential brand confusion into a strong value proposition. Leveraging data-driven insights from customer feedback can help fine-tune the balance between your sustainability goals and brand identity.
4. Continuous Improvement and Cross-functional Collaboration
Cross-functional teams, including marketing, R&D, and supply chain, must work collaboratively to ensure this packaging shift aligns with both operational and branding goals. Continuous improvement principles such as- Kaizen, TRIZ, Agile, Hoshin, Scrum, can help evaluate consumer response and make iterative adjustments, whether through packaging design tweaks, enhanced marketing, or material optimization.
5. Leveraging Technology for Sustainability
Adopting digital transformation tools, such as lifecycle assessment software, can optimize material selection and evaluate the environmental impact in real- time. This allows companies to make data-driven decisions that balance sustainability with operational efficiency and brand preservation.
To summarize, operational excellence in sustainable packaging is about balancing innovation with brand equity. By embedding sustainability into core operations, engaging consumers through clear communication, and continuously improving, your company can lead in both environmental responsibility and brand strength.
Keywords and Hashtags:
#OperationalExcellence #SustainablePackaging #EcoFriendlyPackaging #BrandIdentity #PackagingInnovation #CircularEconomy #SustainabilityInBusiness #PackagingSustainability #PETBottles #RecyclingInnovation #GreenPackaging #ProductIntegrity #PackagingDesign #ConsumerPerception #ContinuousImprovement #DOE #DigitalTransformation #PackagingTrends #KaizenInPackaging #SustainableBranding #PackagingOptimization #LifecycleAssessment #R&DInnovation #CrossFunctionalCollaboration #BrandSustainability
Categories: Insights | Packaging | Operational Excellence
Follow Shruti on Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn
This is in contrast to best practices which recommend that beverages be packaged in a clear PET bottle because it will make bottles easier to recycle. However, such a shift also presents a challenge in maintaining brand identity. Operational excellence can bridge this gap, ensuring that sustainability efforts enhance rather than compromise the brand.
Disclaimer: I cannot say why the beverage (referred in the above article) is allegedly being offered in tinted bottles, because I do not have any official statement from the makers. But as an operational excellence expert, I am giving my perspective and insights on how any company can embrace change to sustainable packaging.
Here are five fronts to focus on:
1. Sustainability as a Strategic Priority
Embracing eco-friendly packaging material and adopting circular economy principles is no longer optional; it’s a strategic priority for businesses aiming for long-term success. Hence, companies must embed ‘sustainability’ as a default into their operational excellence frameworks, ensuring it drives both innovation and competitive advantage.
Check out: The power of circular economy is a game changer for enhancing operational excellence.
2. Product Integrity:
The need for a color tint in the PET bottles may not always be for cosmetic reasons. As a seasoned formulation scientist (in my previous work life) I can confidently say that, if the product composition is sensitive to UV rays, then packing them in tinted brown or blue bottles will maintain its integrity. Otherwise, the product can degrade and will have to get recalled from the market, which will adversely impact customers, profitability and brand reputation.
Therefore, replacing tinted to clear for primary packing of products is a big decision.
So, to make the go/no-go decision, first test your product for its stability to sunlight and heat. If product meets shelf-life specifications, then all is well to go for the change. If not, you have a huge challenge in your hands, that of- Reformulating your product without changing its sensory appeal! In such a scenario use statistical experimental designs aka DOE (design of experiments) to conduct trials and stratified sampling for testing, to get maximum data with minimal lab work. Check out: What is DOE? and What is Stratified sampling? Combining DOE with stratified sampling, is a sure formula for reformulating any product in the fast lane.
3. Brand Identity and Consumer Perception
While the bottle’s new color may affect consumer recognition, this presents an opportunity for brand innovation. By effectively communicating the sustainability benefits and reinforcing the message through marketing campaigns, companies can turn potential brand confusion into a strong value proposition. Leveraging data-driven insights from customer feedback can help fine-tune the balance between your sustainability goals and brand identity.
4. Continuous Improvement and Cross-functional Collaboration
Cross-functional teams, including marketing, R&D, and supply chain, must work collaboratively to ensure this packaging shift aligns with both operational and branding goals. Continuous improvement principles such as- Kaizen, TRIZ, Agile, Hoshin, Scrum, can help evaluate consumer response and make iterative adjustments, whether through packaging design tweaks, enhanced marketing, or material optimization.
5. Leveraging Technology for Sustainability
Adopting digital transformation tools, such as lifecycle assessment software, can optimize material selection and evaluate the environmental impact in real- time. This allows companies to make data-driven decisions that balance sustainability with operational efficiency and brand preservation.
To summarize, operational excellence in sustainable packaging is about balancing innovation with brand equity. By embedding sustainability into core operations, engaging consumers through clear communication, and continuously improving, your company can lead in both environmental responsibility and brand strength.
Keywords and Hashtags:
#OperationalExcellence #SustainablePackaging #EcoFriendlyPackaging #BrandIdentity #PackagingInnovation #CircularEconomy #SustainabilityInBusiness #PackagingSustainability #PETBottles #RecyclingInnovation #GreenPackaging #ProductIntegrity #PackagingDesign #ConsumerPerception #ContinuousImprovement #DOE #DigitalTransformation #PackagingTrends #KaizenInPackaging #SustainableBranding #PackagingOptimization #LifecycleAssessment #R&DInnovation #CrossFunctionalCollaboration #BrandSustainability
Categories: Insights | Packaging | Operational Excellence
Follow Shruti on Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn
