3 Label Trends To Follow In 2022

As we head into another new year, the labelling industry is continuing to evolve to meet the changing demand of consumers. Advanced labelling systems and label designs go through trends just like anything else, and it is vital that your business stays in the loop. As experts in labelling machinery and contract labelling, we have our finger on the pulse when it comes to latest trends and themes in the industry.

In 2022, every sector is going to continue to experience an increased focus on sustainability and green initiatives. Eco-friendly practices in a business are no longer nice-to-have, they are a necessity and have become a key factor in a consumer’s buying decision. Manufacturers of all products are under extreme pressure from customers to reduce their impact on the planet, and all the labelling trends for the next year focus on this improved sustainability.

The End Of Greenwashing

Greenwashing is a term used when companies are treating sustainability as a marketing strategy rather than a serious effort to reduce environmental impact. Many businesses have realised the shift in consumer behaviour towards sustainable brands and changed their marketing tactics to suit, without taking a real look at their effect on the planet.

Going forward in 2022, greenwashing is likely to become a thing of the past. Customers are becoming savvier to spot the companies that are greenwashing, and it is likely that governments are going to clamp down on these practices. We expect to see more regulations come into play that prevent businesses from claiming packaging or products are recyclable or made from sustainable materials when they are not. In the future, all manufacturers will have to be loading up their labelling machinery with recyclable, sustainable materials.

The Rise Of Sustainability Officers

This drive for green practices within businesses is seeing a new role become extremely popular, and that is the role of a sustainability officer. Many companies are appointing an individual or entire teams to take responsibility for their impact on the environment. Generally, it is the large organisations that have the resources to invest in sustainable teams, and in small businesses someone might take on this responsibility on top of their usually role. Having a sustainability officer means your company will have someone accountable for ensuring everything from your energy usage to your used recycling machines are sustainable.

Extended Producer Responsibility

Governments have always been the ones to take on the responsibility and cost of recycling and disposing of waste consumer products. Recently the idea of extended producer responsibility has been rising in popularity. It is the concept that manufacturers should have to cover the end-of-life costs that come with the products they produce. If this was the case, all manufacturers would be encouraged to design their products with improved sustainability in mind, in order to keep their costs low. While we might not see extended producer responsibility become reality in 2022, it is likely to gain moment and attention over the coming months.

If you are looking for ways to reduce your impact on the planet, we can help you choose the ideal used labelling machinery for sustainable product labels. Get in touch today.