| Since the plastic contained in standard DVD | | | | earth-friendly options include recycled newsprint |
| packaging is a known environmental pollutant | | | | and cardboard made from 100% post-consumer |
| destined to remain in landfills indefinitely, the | | | | waste. |
| demand for more sustainable DVD packaging | | | | Beyond being inherently environmentally friendly, |
| options has grown. In fact, if the demand for | | | | these more sustainable DVD packaging options |
| more eco-friendly packaging options continues to | | | | also provide the added benefit of being more |
| grow at its current rate, this type of packaging | | | | compact than traditional methods. Whereas older |
| may soon become the norm rather than the | | | | DVD packaging options are bulkier and comprised |
| exception. Consequently, DVD producers and | | | | mostly of non-biodegradable plastic, newer |
| manufacturers are always looking for innovative | | | | sustainable versions are more sleek and |
| and efficient ways to meet this increased | | | | streamlined. The primary benefit to this is that |
| consumer demand. | | | | more units can be stored and shipped in the same |
| The main factor driving this growth is the | | | | amount of space. This reduces the environmental |
| ever-popular "green" movement which has gained | | | | impact of transporting the product from the |
| worldwide acceptance in recent years. Due to | | | | manufacturing facility to the end user because |
| increased media scrutiny, consumers are now | | | | shipping methods become more streamlined and |
| more aware than ever of their own carbon | | | | efficient. This also lessens the amount of material |
| footprint and are eager for product options that | | | | needed to pack and store the units while they |
| reduce their impact on the environment. | | | | make their way through the delivery channel. The |
| Therefore, more and more consumers are | | | | combined effect is less waste in not only the |
| throwing their considerable purchasing power | | | | DVD packaging itself, but in the way it is brought |
| behind products that support environmentally | | | | to market, as well. |
| friendly efforts. For these consumers, DVDs | | | | Of course, in addition to being eco-friendly, |
| packaged with biodegradable, recycled or | | | | sustainable DVD packaging must still fulfill basic |
| renewable materials have a distinct competitive | | | | functional roles such as protecting the contents |
| advantage over those that do not. | | | | inside. Fortunately, as advances are made in the |
| With sustainable DVD packaging, excess materials | | | | manufacturing process, many of these newer |
| are kept to a bare minimum and those that are | | | | materials are showing drop test ratings |
| used are often comprised of 100% biodegradable | | | | comparable to traditional plastic packaging options. |
| and recyclable materials. A couple examples of | | | | Further, packaging made from these materials |
| sustainable materials being used in this effort | | | | provides a lot of flexibility in terms of design and |
| include potato or tapioca starch. These options | | | | style options. This is because they are available in |
| are both readily available, easily renewable and | | | | an unlimited range of colors and configurations. |
| have a minimal impact on the environment. In | | | | This allows the packaging to also serve its more |
| fact, the environmental impact of these materials | | | | functional role as a sales and marketing tool for |
| is as much as 85 - 90% less when compared to | | | | the product inside. |
| more traditional packaging options. Other popular | | | | |