Rethinking Packaging: Small Changes, Measurable Impact

Packaging plays an essential role in protecting products throughout manufacturing, storage and transportation. Yet once that role is fulfilled, much of it can quickly become waste. 

At Cobetter, we see an opportunity to rethink that equation. As part of our broader sustainability journey, we examined how packaging materials move through our operations — where they can be reused, where material consumption can be reduced, and where conventional materials can be replaced with more resource-efficient alternatives. 

The principle is straightforward: protect what matters, while using resources more thoughtfully. Across our operations, this approach is already translating into measurable action. From reusable packaging for internal material transfers, to simplified product packaging and recyclable alternatives to traditional wooden crates, individual improvements are helping us reduce material consumption, waste and operational complexity. 

Our packaging initiatives are centred around three priorities: 

- Circularity

- Reduction

- Lighter Packaging

1. Circularity - Keep materials in use for longer

• Injection-moulded parts turnaround: blister trays replace single-use PE bags 

In our internal transfer of injection-moulded parts, we have switched to customize, reusable blister trays in place of single-use PE bags and stretch film, enabling multiple cycles of reuse. 

Annual Impact: 

• RMB 530,000 in estimated cost savings 
• 23 tonnes less plastic used

• Cardboard raw material circulation: hollow PP sheet boxe replace stretch film

Cardboard raw materials are high-turnover items. The previous transfer method—pallet + stretch film + waterproof tarpaulin—offered limited protection and the packaging could not be reused. To address this, we developed a reusable protective packaging solution using mono-material hollow PP sheet boxes, which provide effective product protection, support multiple reuse cycles, and, being mono-material, facilitate subsequent recycling and reprocessing into pellets.

Annual Impact:

• 182,500 metres less stretch film
• Approximately 1.94 tonnes of material avoided

2.Reduction - Achieve the same protection with less material

By redesigning selected product packaging, Cobetter has eliminated individual cartons and consolidated multiple products into a single outer package — while maintaining the protection required during handling and transportation.

Annual impact

• More than 13 tonnes of plastic and cardboard consumption avoided

This reflects an important principle in our approach to packaging: use only what is needed to deliver the required performance.

3.Lighter Packaging- Choose lower-impact alternatives

Material selection also presents opportunities to reduce environmental impact while improving usability.

For selected PFA tubing and related products, Cobetter has transitioned from traditional plywood shipping crates to high-strength corrugated cartons.

The change provides benefits beyond material reduction. It eliminates handling hazards associated with splinters and nails, makes unpacking easier for customers, and introduces a packaging format that is more readily recyclable than conventional plywood crates.

Annual impact

• Approximately 52 tonnes less wood used

It is an example of how thoughtful packaging design can simultaneously address environmental impact, operational safety and customer experience.

From individual improvements to continuous progress

There is no single solution to sustainable packaging. Progress comes from repeatedly questioning how materials are used: Can this packaging be reused? Can we remove a layer? Can we reduce its weight? Can we choose a more circular material?

Each answer may represent a relatively small operational change. Together, however, these changes can create meaningful impact at scale.

For Cobetter, this is increasingly how we approach packaging sustainability — not as a one-time optimisation project, but as part of continuous operational improvement.

As Cobetter advances its broader climate and sustainability ambitions, including our work with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), we will continue exploring opportunities to improve packaging circularity, reduce material intensity and collaborate with customers, suppliers and other partners across our value chain.

Better packaging is not simply about using a different box. It is about delivering the protection and performance our customers depend on, with greater resource efficiency and less environmental impact.