Green manufacturing in the packaging and materials industry: case study of small‐to‐medium sized corporate eco‐friendly initiatives

Via the examination of two medium‐to‐large Ohio‐based companies, analysed from a case study‐perspective, revealed that their approaches to product design, green marketing strategy, and strategically becoming operational leaner and greener, has resulted in significant savings and enhanced reputation, although the exact return‐on‐investment is still unclear. In particular, the present study inspected aspects of product design and how selective changes have been made based on the customer/market demand for sustainability in materials and/or manufacturing processes. Both companies and the packaging industry in general have been under increasing pressure to become more environmentally friendly, especially in promoting aspects of triple bottom‐line and changing business processes that help achieve corporate sustainability.