BERMANFALK provided insight and guidance on the process of integrating eco-friendly packaging in Session 3 of MindClick’s Hospitality Sustainable Design Collaborative Education Series on packaging. 

Environmentally Conscious Design Solutions 

Developed by MindClick and supported by Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, and Highgate Hotels, the Hospitality Sustainable Design Collaborative (HSDC) is a complimentary program designed for interior designers, specifiers, and purchasing decision-makers. You can read more about it here. The program includes five engaging educational sessions focused on incorporating climate, health, and equity into every project. In the third session centered on sustainable packaging, BERMANFALK presented strategies for reducing waste and lowering carbon emissions through thoughtful design choices.

Through our partnership with MindClick, we’ve gained valuable insights into our environmental impact and identified ways to drive measurable improvements. Aligning with our company’s values and commitment to sustainability and innovation, we introduced new honeycomb packaging that is both recyclable and biodegradable in April. Feel free to read more about this project here.

In our HSDC digital session, we shared how we successfully executed this sustainable packaging initiative and discussed the logistics behind our implementation process. If you missed the digital session and would like to catch the replay video, you can sign up for free access here. After the session was over, we allotted time for an exclusive Q&A where we addressed key questions from participants and shared our answers below.

Q&A Highlights

What steps should be taken to ensure sustainable packaging is used on a project with BERMANFALK?

Honeycomb cardboard is now BERMANFALK’s standard packaging, meaning there is no further action or instruction required from our clients. Although this packaging is very helpful in reducing our carbon footprint, it takes time to measure and cut our honeycomb cardboard layouts for each piece of furniture. This poses a challenge when manufacturing custom casegoods and seating, where previous packaging methods may be necessary to use for smaller and more unique orders until we find a solution for faster sustainable layouts. If sustainable packaging is a requirement no matter the quantity of the item, we suggest highlighting this in initial project communications (kick-off calls or project emails) or clearly stating it in the specifications. Our team will communicate with you if anything you’ve noted needs clarifying. 

How can our company ensure sustainable packaging is standard across all projects?

Including the correct language in your specifications such as “avoid the use of EPS foam” or “ensure our order is sustainably packaged” is a great tactic. We also believe preemptively inquiring about your vendors’ sustainability standards and their involvement with accredited programs like the ones MindClick offers is very important in deciding who to work with. For example, asking whether containers are fully packed and if boxes are built to fit each piece. Gathering this information and asking the right questions helps you compare vendors and make more sustainable choices for your projects.

We would love to see more reusable boxes and packaging! Is there a way to promote this?

We love that idea too! It’s super exciting to see more and more sustainability initiatives make its way into our industry. To promote this, start by engaging with the right vendors. Participating manufacturers and vendors are evaluated and rated by the MindClick Sustainability Assessment Program, which assesses their environmental health performance. It’s completely free to create an account through their Design for Health page linked here. By choosing from a list of vendors that support the same sustainable practices, you can feel confident in reaching the right audience. 

Promoting sustainable packaging starts with open conversations. Ask questions, explore solutions, and involve your team. Attend sustainability conferences and share your experiences on social media. A simple post about a sustainably packaged item and recognizing the company that participates in these efforts can spark awareness. Follow and share content from companies leading the way in sustainability. Stay curious about innovations like water-based finishes and bio-resins, and be proactive in staying informed and engaged.

What costs are associated with honeycomb cardboard packaging? Do you charge a premium for this sustainable alternative?

To implement this packaging, vigorous testing and constant communication with our factories was needed in order to determine the best sustainable packaging solution. While there was a small additional cost, we decided the best way forward was to implement it fully and make it our standard. As a result, there is no added cost to our customers, and the final cost impact is negligible. When working with BERMANFALK, a cost increase may only be necessary if our client’s requirements or preferences fall outside of our standard process. Keep in mind: these standards and cost associations do not apply to all manufacturers. 

It was mentioned that selecting a finish affects sustainability. Can you elaborate on this and identify if there are better finishes to specify?

Yes, selecting a finish does affect sustainability. For example, our standard finishes library, which includes 53 wood finishes and 19 metal finishes, reduces the need for multiple shipments of samples, cutting down on transportation fuel, factory energy, and sample waste. Since the factory already has these finishes on hand, it’s a more efficient and environmentally friendly option. By using our standard finishes, you save time and contribute to a more sustainable process. Click here to browse our library of standard finishes.

Additionally, the type of finish or material also impacts sustainability. For example, certain wood types are more endangered than others, and using flat-cut wood produces less waste compared to rotary cut. Veneers and MDF are also more sustainable than solid wood. Chemical-based finishes can be harmful, but alternatives like water-based finishes and bio-based resins for stone surfaces are being explored. While building 100% sustainable furniture is challenging, we are continuously researching and implementing new sustainable practices to get closer to that each year.

Why would owners choose vendors that use this premium packaging instead of something more within their budget?

As previously noted, BERMANFALK’s transition to sustainable packaging typically won’t affect your budget, provided the specifications align with our standards. When you work with us, your projects will be packaged with sustainably sourced materials at no extra cost. However, given the evolving nature of our industry and increasing environmental concerns around the world, we anticipate future changes in sustainable practice requirements. While it may not be mandatory yet, we’re committed to being forward thinkers and setting standards that align with the future of hospitality. 

How can we address concerns about taking on liability for freight damage when specifying packaging, given the risk that transit companies may claim goods were improperly packaged to withstand transit?

We understand your concern, as we had similar hesitations at first. Our honeycomb cardboard packaging underwent extensive testing before being rolled out, starting with the International Safe Transit Association (ISTA) which conducts various drop tests with SGS Laboratories, whose research shows that honeycomb prevents puncture damage and offers better impact resistance than styrofoam, especially for edges and corners. Our internal quality control team spent an entire year testing various layouts to ensure optimal protection. We’ve already implemented this on projects, and we are confident in this change as our products continue to arrive in pristine condition. If liability remains a concern, please bring it up to our team as we’re happy to work with you to find a solution that puts your mind at ease.

How do you show clients the long-term benefits of sustainable packaging, and has it been value-engineered out of some projects?

We announced our sustainable packaging initiative in April across social media, MindClick, Hospitality Design, our website, and an e-newsletter. Our sales team has also been instructed to spread the word to our clients. The short term benefit is reducing exponential environmental harm from styrofoam, which takes years to break down and is harmful to many ecosystems. It’s a small change that makes a big impact at no additional cost for our clients. Long term, we hope others in the industry follow suit, making our impact widespread by working together.

As for value engineering, this mostly applies to pre-production work in collaboration with the designers. While we don’t use honeycomb packaging at this stage of the project, we still make a mindful effort to choose environmentally friendly alternatives for other shipments at the pre-production stage. For example, we now use paper bubble wrap, recyclable boxes to ship samples, and paper envelopes. We have minimized the use of plastic unless it is reused from packaging that comes from outside vendors or from tape, which still lacks a good alternative.

How does switching to sustainable honeycomb cardboard packaging help reduce the amount of waste and clean-up costs compared to traditional styrofoam?

We understand the challenge of dealing with leftover packaging during large installations, which can be messy and costly to dispose of. In order for pieces to be delivered with no damages, packaging is necessary for protection, however that doesn’t mean it needs to be packaged in styrofoam and plastic. Our switch to honeycomb packaging reduces waste and has been proved to protect furniture better than EPS foam. Since there is more pre-planning involved to make custom honeycomb cardboard layouts for each different item, we are actually using less packaging than we had with styrofoam. It’s more compact when broken down, takes up less space, and avoids the mess of fraying styrofoam beads that takes hundreds of years to break down. There will always be packaging to dispose of, but this change helps minimize the mess, waste, and clean-up costs. 

Simplifying Sustainability 

At BERMANFALK, we’re always working to make our clients’ lives easier. Our transition to sustainable honeycomb cardboard packaging has been smooth and requires little to no extra effort on your part. Since honeycomb cardboard is now our standard, it will be our first go-to method for packaging unless the item is lower quantity or is specified otherwise as stated above. If you’d like for us to communicate this to your teams or provide additional documentation on how to make more sustainable choices, we’re happy to provide the necessary information or arrange a call.

We encourage you to stay curious and continue exploring sustainability efforts. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at info@bermanfalk.com or connect with members on our team.