Subscription boxes have taken the eCommerce world by storm. Consumers today can get regular deliveries of practically any consumables – from pet food to skincare products, and from coffee beans to eco-friendly washing up liquid. Anything goes.
Some people even choose to get random “loot boxes” for the sheer excitement of discovering new products each month. It’s like a little surprise in the post, every time. Honestly, consumers have never had it so good!
But to make sure these products arrive safely, and that they feed into a wider brand experience, subscription box providers need to choose the right packaging. Polythene packaging (particularly polythene bags and films) plays a significant role in keeping products intact during transit. And when done right, it can also enhance the unboxing experience, and support sustainability goals. That’s important, because sustainability Is a major concern for products that can’t be shipped in anything else – but whose parent brand has an environmental image to uphold.
So, let’s unpack subscriptions boxes, and first ask: why polythene?
Why polythene for subscription boxes?
The reasons for using polythene packaging in subscription boxes are the same as they are for practically everything else; it’s lightweight, durable, moisture-proof, and very cost effective.This makes it ideal for protecting a huge variety of products found in subscription boxes – from beauty products to electronics. Polythene’s versatility also allows for deep customisation, with almost any size, colour, and design possible. Polythene can be tailored to meet just about any demand, and can even become a full, all-in-one packaging solution that does away with the box altogether!
Key benefits of polythene packaging for eCommerce
Polythene can be engineered to do just about anything – using a blend of polymers, additives, and colourants. It can be extruded and welded in a ton of different ways, and it can even be printed and branded up. It’s just so versatile, and it’s easy to see why eCommerce brands choose polythene packaging as a go-to solution.
Read more: Ecommerce Packaging – for Companies on the Grow
Protection
Polythene bags and films provide a protective barrier against moisture, dust, and can prevent scratches or other kinds of damage in transit. This is particularly useful for delicate items like cosmetics or dry food products. They can slo be treated with additives, for items like frozen goods, or for UV resistance, and made for heavy duty applications. Polythene can also be sealed very effectively, in a multitude of ways.
Customisation
Custom printing options allow brands to show their logo, add colourful designs, and even include QR codes for enhanced consumer engagement. Polythene can also be made in almost any colour and opacity, for further branding options – and as mentioned, can be designed and engineered from the ground up, to suit a wide range of applications.
Price
Polythene is comparatively cheap compared to other packaging options, while offering consistently better protection on many key metrics. It’s also lightweight and compact, making shipping and storage cheaper. It’s easier and quicker to work with, and can have fully automated systems for filling, reducing labour costs.
Reusable and sustainable
Believe it or not, this plastic packaging actually has environmental benefits that far exceed most others. Polythene takes less energy and resources to make than most other types of packaging, and can be used over and over again before showing any signs of wear. This means that for some products, it can be reentered into the packaging stream – creating a circular microeconomy (more on that later).
At the end of its life, polythene can be recycled. Base polymers can be made from 100% recycled material if specified, too. Being lightweight cuts down CO2 emissions for transport, and allows for more products to be shipped at once.
Reducing waste: a circular economy approach
One of the main criticisms of polythene packaging is its environmental impact. And that’s fair. We’ve covered it many times in the past. However, there are ways to reduce waste – and one of them is to create a circular microeconomy that uses recurring subscription boxes as a platform.
Reclaiming and reusing packaging
Subscription box providers and eCommerce retailers can implement a system where customers return used polythene bags and films. Any reusable packaging would be collected as their next order arrives, keeping CO2 emissions down, too. This can be highly effective on all environmental impact fronts, and it;s great marketing. This kind of action promotes a high level of brand responsibility, which is a key driver for customers today.
Take the pain out of recycling
Brands can not only encourage customers to recycle polythene packaging – they can actively take the burden away. If, for whatever reason, the polythene packaging cannot be reused, enter it into the recycling stream without the end user having to do so. This can be a partnership with a third-party waste firm who deals with recycling on a contract basis, making it part of a commercial waste management contract. It’s costly, but for premium products aimed at environmentally conscious consumers, many will be willing to absorb it.
Choosing the right polythene packaging for your subscription box
Standard polythene bags
These are ideal for protecting individual items within the main subscription box. These can be customised with branding elements and resealable features for customer convenience. They can be made with simple side welds or bottom welds, or supplied as polythene sleeves for record clubs or similar subscriptions.
Heavy duty polythene bags
Heavy duty polythene is used for products that require extra protection, or heavier, bulkier goods. A thicker film is used for durability and resistance to notching, and mixed weld seals can be used for maximum reliability.
Gusseted polythene bags
Gusseted polythene bags have a few advantages – they’re stronger than standard bags, can be filled to shape more effectively, and can be stacked for transport more easily. They come in different formats for different applications, and can be made to heavy duty specs.
One of these types of polythene bags will be right for you as a starting point – but the customisation options don’t stop there. With the growing competition in the subscription box market, packaging plays a pivotal role in differentiating your brand and giving a whole experience to the end user.
As well as designing in key features like UV resistant additives and temperature control, brands can choose colours and printing, as well as textures, that enhance the packaging experience. This all adds up to a memorable unboxing experience – a significant part of the subscription box appeal. And if your customer is a content creator or influencer, your marketing will benefit, too!
Using polythene packaging creatively can enhance this experience with personalised messages printed directly onto the packaging, and interactive elements like QR codes that link to exclusive content, discounts, or brand stories. It all seems very fluffy, but it’s actually strategic marketing that creates a deeper connection with the consumer. It can help to keep their subscription with you alive for longer, and add value to their purchases that they can’t get elsewhere.
Polythene for subscription boxes
Talk to the polythene experts at NPF Packaging – and design your own ecommerce packaging for subscription boxes.
Enquire online to get a quote now, or call us on 01773 820415 to find out more about our manufacturing and design process.
