Business

5 Tips To Achieve Greener Packaging

Consumer shopping is increasingly moving online, and at the same time, there’s an escalating conversation about why it is important to fight climate change. Fortunately, innovations in packaging can provide decent alternatives to plastics and other materials that have a high environmental impact for businesses that want to reduce their eco-footprint.

Here are 5 Tips To Achieve Greener Packaging in 2022

Evaluate Your Packaging Practices

The first thing you should do is assess just how much packaging you truly need to ship products securely. Excessive packaging is not only an annoyance for the consumer but also sends the wrong message about sustainability.

From there, you need to determine just how environmentally friendly the materials that you are using for packaging actually are. To be regarded as sustainable, packaging needs to meet certain criteria, which include, but isn’t limited to:

– Physically designed to optimize both energy and materials

– Being cleanly sourced and manufactured

– Being safe, beneficial, and healthy to both people and communities throughout its lifecycle

– Optimized to use recycled and renewable materials

If you discover that your current packaging practices are not up to par, you should take steps to correct the course. You can find high quality sleeve packaging that is environmentally friendly.

Use Materials That Give Plastics a Second Life

Plastic is one of the biggest contributors to pollution, both in landfills and in our oceans. With over 380 million tons of plastic produced each year, saying that there’s a lot of plastic in the world would be an understatement.

With this much plastic in circulation, there’s an opportunity to give plastic a new lease of life. Products such as recycled mailers provide an affordable and eco-conscious option for retailers to ship and customers to recycle or reuse items wherever soft plastics are accepted.

Leverage Corn Plastics as an Alternative Material for Packaging

Companies that want to lower their environmental footprint in e-commerce need to have a wide selection of alternative packaging options to suit the shipping needs of their products in an environmentally-friendly way.

Corn plastics, which are a specific type of bioplastics, provide numerous benefits. Notable advantages include being made from a renewable source, being cost-effective, emitting fewer greenhouse gasses, and are also biodegradable.

While the material has its drawbacks, this alternative packaging option is considered less damaging to the environment compared to traditional plastics.

Compostable mailers are one such option, which is ideal for soft items like clothing or even items that aren’t fragile. Compostable mailers function in a similar way to recycled plastic mailers, but their disposal differs. While recycled plastic mailers can be recycled again, packaging made from corn plastic can be composted.

Use Compostable and Recyclable Paper Packaging

While soft plastic bags are used for shipping many items, there will always be a need for cardboard.

You can recycle cardboard numerous times, after which it is compostable, and many recycled paper products can be transformed into Kraft paper mailers or even environmentally-friendly packaging tape once their lifecycle ends.

Paper products that have been recycled severally and are compostable should also meet some criteria to be truly environmentally friendly. Criteria such as ensuring that the paper is acid-free and not treated using harmful chemicals such as sulfur and lignin will ensure that the paper is safely compostable.

Don’t Forget About Packaging Fillers

Styrofoam inserts and peanuts are a wasteful nuisance that consumers have to dispose of. While these options are definitely not eco-friendly, they have plenty of alternatives.

Starch-based packing peanuts are one such example. They might look and function the same as those made of Styrofoam, the key difference is that they are nontoxic and made out of crop-based sources. Starch peanuts dissolve in water without leaving any waste.

Mushroom packaging is another viable packaging filler alternative. A mushroom’s root system, which is known as mycelium, is grown, harvested, and baked into a mold that forms protective cushioning inside the boxes.

Mushroom packaging is one of the most eco-friendly and sustainable alternative packaging options that can be used as a replacement for Styrofoam, bubble wrap, and other plastic fillers.

Make Sure That Your Packaging is Labeled Clearly and Sourced Sustainably

When you send out environmentally-friendly packages, it is important not to forget to state clearly how to best dispose of or reuse the packaging materials.

Consumers are usually unsure how they should recycle packaging materials since incorrect disposal leads to unnecessary use of landfills or the rejection of recycling due to contamination.

Whether the packaging material used is compostable, recyclable, or reusable, clear labeling can help the customer do the right thing after receiving their shipment.

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Business

Vydia Launches Vetted Partner Directory to Fill the Gap for Independent Labels

Vydia, the leading end-to-end music technology platform, provides new program identifying reputable third party industry providers.

In an effort to solve an ongoing industry gap for independent label owners, Vydia has created the Vydia+ Partner Directory– a centralized database of reputable and vetted third-party vendors, available to all industry professionals via the Vydia website. Launched on February 9, 2022, Vydia+ spans every need in the industry highlighting service providers in digital marketing, publicity, booking/touring, recording equipment, merchandising, video/audio production, music management software, and so much more.

Constantly researching the market to find gaps and solve problems within the industry, Vydia’s team found that 80% of label owners found it difficult to find reputable third party service providers that would allow them to scale their business and artists, quoting “trust” as the biggest factor. With many people working remotely with vendors, stories of dishonesty and scams were rampant throughout the industry – making it increasingly difficult for independent labels and managers to find partners that would foster growth. Head of Label Services, Liz Eason, adds, “We often get asked for recommendations on who to hire, and because we have worked with so many different vendors, realized we had an opportunity to provide a reliable resource that would not only be helpful to our clients, but any industry professional.”

Vydia+ aims to make it easier for labels to partner with the best vendors in the market by cultivating a new level of accountability for any vendor listed in the Vydia+ Partner Directory. Only after undergoing an extensive vendor vetting process, a company is deemed ‘Vydia Certified’ and provided with a badge — signifying the company has been thoroughly researched and is found to be a transparent, reputable, and trustworthy partner in the industry. With increasing accessibility to craft teams remotely and work with people all over the world, Vydia is making sure that labels have every resource available to them to champion the artists on their roster. “The most important aspect of hiring a team is reputation and trust. That’s why it was essential for us to leverage our influence and experience in the market to help the larger community,” says Roy Lamanna, CEO of Vydia.

Vendors like Dash Two, Total Assault, and Laylo who have already been vetted and approved for the directory are also excited about the opportunities this will provide for their businesses. Alec Ellin, CEO of fan engagement platform Laylo, says, “My music industry friends are always asking for the best tools out there. The Vydia+ Directory is exactly where I’ll be pointing them to going forward. It’s a great way for labels to find reliable companies and helps companies like mine to get in front of the partners we want to work with.”

Empowering 1100+ labels and artists in over 150 countries, Vydia is the leading end-to-end music management infrastructure that empowers labels, managers, and artists to monetize the entire digital music ecosystem. Constantly innovating, Vydia’s expertise in both tech and music is paving the way for the future of the music industry and Vydia+ is the next step forward in their mission to help labels empower their artists to maintain creative control and ownership over their work.

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Business

Exclusive Interview With Nathan Delva, a Model, Entrepreneur and CEO of Envision Apparel

To Nathan Delva, Fashion is simply a way to express your personality and values, and designers are fully aware of its influence. Nathan Delva is a New York Fashion Week model, designer, and CEO of Envision Apparel which was established in 2015. When growing up he believes that fashion is a powerful tool for self-expression. Hence, his clothing line aims to empower millennials and strengthen the culture of the younger generation across the globe.

We had the chance to interview Nathan Delva about what brought him to his specific career path and his great achievement so far in the industry. With him starting to branch out into new realms in this new year, we wanted to catch up with him to learn a little more.

1. Can you tell us a story about what brought you to this specific career path?

Nathan Delva – While in High School and College, I would tend to always get compliments on my outfits. Even at times wearing an outfit once and selling it right after because of the amount of attention it got. This sequence of events inspired me to come up with a clothing brand of my own called “Envision Apparel”.

2. Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started this career?

Nathan Delva – My first season of New York Fashion week was so nerve-racking. I had been following my dreams not thinking I would land a casting in a runway fashion show. In the first year not only one, but 4 designers in total asked me to walk for their brands. After the shows, I was offered an opportunity to do a Photoshoot in Madison Square Garden. I also was gifted new sneakers and a sweatsuit set.

3. Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?

Nathan Delva – The funniest mistake I’ve made was listening to others’ advice that was not in the same lane as mine. I would continuously be told not to sell items at a certain price because people in my city would not purchase them. Once I figured out that I wanted my brand to be global and that it only took one person to purchase that item at that price. This gave me the confidence to price items at their correct worth and my business has been doing amazing.

4. What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now?

Nathan Delva – Some of the most exciting projects I’m working on right now are modeling and acting. I’m currently about to leave for fashion week for two weeks in New York. I am also working on attending acting classes in California to further my knowledge of the acting industry.

5. Who are some of the most interesting people you have interacted with? What was that like? Do you have any stories?

Nathan Delva – Some of the most interesting people I’ve interacted with have been famous influencers and YouTubers. Interacting with famous people was an experience of observation in order for me to learn. I’ve also got to connect with Youtuber Kingcid that inspired me and my brand. My recent interaction with Desibanks a famous comedian was amazing. I was able to give him a piece of my new release and network to form a friendship.

6. Which tips would you recommend to your colleagues in your industry to help them to thrive and not “burn out”?

Nathan Delva – Oh first and foremost I would say consistency is everything when having a brand. Also to write things down the old fashion way because it stimulates the mine to work on that project. Always work on bettering yourself and becoming the better version of the person you were yesterday. Also to fail early and fill often because the next step is a success.

7. You have been blessed with success in a career path that can be challenging. Do you have any words of advice for others who may want to embark on this career path, but seem daunted by the prospect of failure?

Nathan Delva – For anyone out there trying to model I would say make sure that it’s something you love before taking on the challenge. Anything is possible as long as you put your mind to it and anyone can accomplish a goal that they continuously work towards.

8. Can you share with our readers any self-care routines, practices, or treatments that you do to help your body, mind, or heart to thrive? Kindly share a story or an example for each.

Nathan Delva – On a daily, I try my best to pray at least 2 to 3 times a day. Also throughout the week, I make sure that I go to the gym and get my body going at least 3 to 4 days a week. As long as you keep God in your corner and take baby steps towards your goals there’s nothing that can stop you.

9. What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why. Please share a story or example for each.

Nathan Delva:

Pray – With God nothing is impossible. And also with God, anything can be possible.
Fail – Because with failure comes success.
Consistency – The more you put out content the more recognition it brings towards your brand and goals.
Mental health – Always keep a clear mind because with cloudy thoughts you can’t concentrate.
Positivity – Positivity is key and it feeds the mind toward success.

10. Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?

Nathan Delva – “Any Product You Buy, You Buy The Vision”

This is relevant with my clothing brand because anyone can release a brand but without a vision and a concept behind it no one will know what they’re purchasing.

11. None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?

Nathan Delva – I am certainly grateful to my mother and my immediate family because without them I would not be where I am today. My aunt Marilyn is the only reason I was able to become a New York fashion week model.

12. You are a person of enormous influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂

Nathan Delva – My movement would be starting a TV show that shows you the process that it takes to become successful in any business or vision. The movement would focus on behind the scenes the trial and error and failure that you have to go through before receiving success with anything.

13. We are very blessed that some of the biggest names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch, and why? He or she might see this. 🙂

Nathan Delva – I would love to have lunch with Drake, Steve Harvey, rick Ross, Will Smith, and a few other successful influencers in the world. The reason why I chose these individuals is because they are documentaries has been my God threw out some trial and error I’ve been through with my career choice.

14 How can our readers follow you online?

Nathan Delva – On Instagram and Twitter, you can find me under @NateTheDonn – Nathan Delva.