Packaging waste analytics are becoming very popular with companies and consumers. Analytics are numbers, measuring many different facets. With packaging waste analytics, you track the material use of such items, any loss or gain of packaging, and consumer behavior on disposal or recycling.   It may tell you about how many people are recycling, and how many have tossed the items. 

Reducing waste is important for companies, and using analytics is a great thing. Here, we’ll tell you how to use this data, and why it matters. 

Sensors and Digital Twins in Shipping Supplies 

A lot of companies will add sensors and also a twin digitally paired with the physical package. Throughout the journey, from sending out to getting to the customer to even disposal, this can be followed, like a story. 

When the customer tosses the item in the trash, it’s recorded. On the flip side, when you are sending it out to the recycling center, that also gets recorded. 

It also will tell you if the items’ been damaged, any wear and tear on the packaging and whatnot. 

This tells you about how the item fares in transit, and also any inefficiencies that come with packaging transitions. 

Lifecycle Data in Packaging 

A lot of brands are also looking at the packaging lifecycle data. This tells you where it’s going, but also how many times the item gets reused. For instance, maybe your item gets reused five times before it’s tossed away forever, through the recycling centers. Others might tell you how many returns are happening, and the costs of those on the systems. 

Adjusting one’s design based on the levels of returns is good to minimize this. 

There’s also the disposal analytics, which tell you how ecofriendly your items are for disposal. 

Finally, you’ve got usage data, telling you all about whether or not the items just end up in a landfill at the end of the day, or something else. 

Tools for SMEs to Run Waste Audits 

Now, a lot of companies are curious about this, but how do you run waste audits with this data? 

Simple KPIs are one example. These will tell you if people are tossing their items, or if something else is happening. 

Apps are also used. Adjusting an app to fit this is but one example. They tell you, based on statistical and historical data, how many are currently tossing their items.

There’s also measurement methods, which will measure out exactly how much is being tossed away. 

Again, all of these come together, and with these tools, businesses can check from the comfort of their office or at the production facility, the state of things. pretty nifty, huh. 

Data and Design Thinking 

But data is only as useful as the designs that come from such data, right? 

That’s why, when you have this data, you need to translate this to proper design, in order to push for sustainability.

One example is that if you have a lot of returns, adjust the packaging for this. add some eco friendly void fill and other items. 

If the problem is not enough recycling, then the solution is you have to make sure that recycling’s made easy with these items. 

Overall, packaging waste analytics are tools which are used to help you do better with your packaging. But it all comes down to how you use it. packaging is only as good as the items that are inside, as good as your items are able to withstand the changes, so use the data correctly for great results.