Why Eco-Friendly Subscription Boxes Are a Win-Win?

In a report published by the Sustainability Trends Report (2023), 76% of consumers expressed their desire to live sustainably, and 32% reported that they were more likely to purchase sustainable products over a less sustainable yet cheaper option (Astutis, 2024). Another research on the issue conducted by PWC (2024) showed that, on average, consumers surveyed were willing to spend 9.7% more on sustainably produced or sourced goods even when 31% of consumers from the same research cited inflation as the most significant risk to their country (PWC, 2024).

When it came to packaging, research cited by Outlook Plant (2024) showed that 96% of consumers preferred to buy products with sustainable packaging, and 89% of the consumers were also willing to pay a premium to purchase such products.

Eco-friendly packaging means that consumers’ buying behavior will have a lower adverse impact on the planet. The growing awareness of climate change and the increasing consciousness of consumers have ensured that eco-friendly packaging and products are not just a fad; they are, in fact, a new way of life.

Many businesses have taken steps to reduce their carbon footprints and actually contribute positively to the environment. This is not just because of changes in consumer behavior and the inherent demand matching of businesses. It is also because an average business wants to save the earth as much as an individual precisely because their sustained operations are also at risk. One of the top-line business initiatives in that effort to be more sustainable is to choose eco-friendly packaging.

Out of the many industries that can benefit from such initiatives, an important one is the subscription-based service industry.

The Rise of Subscription Boxes

Popular subscription-based companies that sell products include Hello Fresh, Dollar Shave Club, ScentBird, Birchbox, and Stitch Fix. This industry presents a unique opportunity to deliver personalized and extremely convenient experiences to consumers—a demand that matches today’s fast-paced lifestyles.

The economic importance of subscription companies can be put into perspective because this industry grew by 435% between 2012 and 2018, which is approximately 4.6 times faster than that of S&P companies. With the continued growth of the digital economy and digital platforms, these businesses, specifically designed to minimize blockages from the consumer buying process, are not expected to slow down.

Taking this growth and the increased consumer preference toward eco-friendly packaging, subscription-based businesses must invest in customized packaging that effectively integrates the two principles.

Designing subscription boxes that are easily recyclable or biodegradable would not only help subscription businesses become more ethical and sustainable but also target consumers who prefer products with sustainable packaging and are even willing to pay a premium for them.

In that way, eco-friendly subscription boxes are a win-win investment for all stakeholders involved.

Win for Businesses

Sustainable thinking and eco-friendliness are increasingly becoming legal, ethical, and market requirements. Environmental agencies worldwide are rallying for better ecological policies; as a result, governments are tightening regulations on the use of non-recyclable materials. Countries where the use of plastic and non-recyclable materials in packaging is not totally banned yet are nonetheless contemplating it. Making your subscription boxes sustainable today will help your businesses stay ahead of those regulatory challenges, giving your business enough time to experiment with the styles, materials, and designs of your custom boxes.

Another excellent opportunity for subscription businesses looking for sustainable custom packaging is long-term savings. Paper packaging options such as corrugated or kraft boxes are shipped flat and are very lightweight, making warehouse storage and shipping costs much more efficient. Moreover, using customized, easily recyclable or biodegradable boxes also allows for better waste management and disposal.

Custom packaging is also often called a “silent marketer” for businesses. Communication and engagement through creative print design allow brands to tell their story and values to the customers. Such engagement is key in strengthening the connection that consumers feel with the brand making them more likely to share their positive experiences both online and offline. This in turn leads to increased word-of-mouth marketing giving your subscription brand the much-valued social proof and free promotion.

By using customized boxes valued by the conscious and younger audiences, your business is essentially expanding its reach into the market. For example, consumers who are also already subscribed to a service but are looking for better alternatives might choose a different brand just because of its eco-friendliness, all else being constant. As a business, you would not want to be on the losing side of this trade when investing in eco-friendly custom packaging also brings several other benefits.

Win for the Environment

There are many benefits to eco-friendly subscription boxes for the environment.

First and foremost, it is important to mention the sheer volume of packaging that is needed simply to present, protect, and deliver the products. The total global sustainable plastic packaging market is expected to grow to approximately 143.7 billion USD (Statista, 2024) while the global paper packaging market is expected to reach USD 417.31 billion in 2025 (Mordor Intelligence, 2024).

Having said that, in 2019 alone packaging contributed to 40% of the world’s total waste (Our World in Data, 2024) which shows that there is still 40% of waste that has the opportunity to be converted into eco-friendly packaging.

By simply investing in sustainable, customized boxes, businesses can help reduce landfill contributions – much of which ends up in the ocean. Using alternatives such as recyclable cardboard or kraft material helps create a closed-loop economy, thereby minimizing the need for virgin materials. This also reduces the need for other non-renewable resources, such as petroleum, for plastic production.

It is important to understand that creating sustainable custom packaging is not just limited to the choice of material. The process consists of different nodes along the way many of which provide sustainable alternatives.

For example, when it comes to printing, subscription companies can partner with custom packaging manufacturers that use soy-based inks as well as water-based coatings. These techniques release lower levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which then harm the air quality and also contribute to climate change. Ongoing research and development in this area is looking for printing options with zero emissions however till the time that goal is reached, choosing the available friendlier options also means a significant win for the environment.

Another fantastic win for the environment is the ripple effect on environmental awareness, perception, and action when businesses use more sustainable custom packaging. This is especially true for subscription boxes, which have the ability to communicate with the customers regularly. Any difference in a subscription box is bound to be noted by a regular customer. So, for example, if a subscription business changes its entire packaging to kraft boxes with reduced sizing and paper-based box fillings, a customer who is currently unconcerned about the environment will nonetheless be inspired. Gradually conscious acts like this will motivate customers to think and act more sustainably, making it a win for the environment.