Is cardboard environmentally friendly?

Promoting an eco-friendly approach to packaging is one of Rajapack’s missions. Thanks to the fact that we offer an ecologicalproduct line using 100% renewable raw materials, there is no reason to worry about whether a cardboard box is eco-friendly.

Are Rajapack cartons environmentally friendly?

Rajapack’s production process is based on sustainably sourced biological raw materials. The raw materials used include maize starch, cardboard, wood, paper and other raw materials of plant origin.

The use of renewable raw materials in production allows them to be included in the principles of the circular economy. This enables them to be disposed of in an environmentally friendly manner after use and to be reused in the manufacture of subsequent products.

The pulp we use consists of 70 per cent of the wood we cut to maintain the forests, with the remaining 30 per cent of the raw material being a by-product of processing at sawmills.

During the manufacturing of the items in our eco-friendly product line, we engage raw materials that come wholly or partly from recycled materials. We engage in recycling, making it an integral part of our production process, thus reducing the waste of raw materials and reducing the amount of waste generated.

The weight of paper-based packaging, which is significantly lower than plastic alternatives, also makes a difference. Less weight translates into reduced carbon footprintlower logistics costs, fuel and energy savings and reduced emissions.

Biodegradable packaging does not contain hazardous ingredients or toxins that could lead to soil, water or air pollution or pose a risk to animals. They fully decompose within a few to several months.

When non-biodegradable materials are recycled, they are reused many times in the production process.

The plastic packaging available from Rajapack is also based on recycled raw materials:

• plastic bags: 100% recycled,
• bubble wrap: 50% recycled,
• cast stretch film: 80% recycled.

5 principles of epacking at Rajapack

Rajapack bases its recycling activities on the 5 principles of epackaging.

Reduction – refers to minimising the weight and volume of products without compromising their functionality.

Reuse – the design of the packaging implies resealability and reuse.

Replacement – we replace products made from non-recyclable materials with ones that favour the environment without compromising product quality.

Renewal – we focus on the use of bio-based raw materials, sustainably sourced from renewable natural materials.

Recycling – we practice material reprocessing, giving our used products a second life and minimising waste.

Concept for the long-term development of ecological solu-tions

Tangible environmental solues and achievements are preceded by an understanding of their importance and the development of a long-term model for doing business in a way that is geared towards them. Rajapack recognises the impact of corporate responsibility in both the environmental and social spheres. After all, it is business entities that produce and present a demand for far more packaging than the individual customer. It is primarily on the shoulders of businesses that the question of whether a carton is environmentally friendly rests.

We create specific solutions for our customers, but our influence on the public’s perception of ecology does not end there. Through our work and by stressing the importance of the ecological concept, we are sending out a message to the general public, reminding them of the need to make a joint, long-term commitment to ecological solutions.

We point out that pro-environmental actions should not be seen merely as a marketing instrument, harmonising with current fashion. Far-reaching changes must be made to the working methods of businesses with a long-term view in order to count on tangible effects of ecological progress on an economy-wide scale.

Natural resources are not inexhaustible, so orienting production processes towards renewable and secondary raw materials is a must. In this way, the rate at which natural resources are dwindling will be slowed down considerably.

Potential of renewable raw materials

In terms of the environmental impact of ecological production methods, the degree of biodegradability and renewability of individual raw materials is of great importance.

Environmentally friendly cardboard is a material that is both biodegradable and 100 per cent renewable. After just six months, it will have fully decomposed, which is influenced by the paper grade and the degree of moisture in the ground. The raw material can also be reused, for example in the manufacture of toilet paper from recycled materials.

Plastics, metals, wood, glass and paper can also be reused several times.

In the case of steel, the recycling process can in fact continue indefinitely, as the raw material retains its useful properties.

Instead of creating another layer of waste in a landfill, numerous materials can thus be reused, towards constructive recycling.

This demonstrates the enormous cost savings and multiple waste reduction that the circular economy can lead to.

Rajapack’s contribution to sustainable packaging

Proof of our achievements in this sphere can be found in the 2015 Raw Material Efficient Entrepreneur competition. During its fourth edition, a number of our products were honoured with the EKO-HIT Product award.

Examples of the products we offer in the sphere of ecological packaging methods include:

• ecological cartons
• wrapping paper
• cardboard dividers
• self-adhesive paper tapes,
• a spectrum of gift packaging including wrappers, strings and ribbons,
• eco-labels and labels,
• cardboard envelopes,
• cardboard tubes,
• parcel fillers,
• recycled ecological stretch film,
• paper sacks and bags,
• a spectrum of solutions for eco-palletisation,

and many others.

Check out our recent article, why choose cardboard and ecological packaging.

Is cardboard ecological? This is a question for all of us

The answer to the question of whether cardboard is sustainable is clear, however in effable. Yes, we can potentially change the horizon of packaging and the philosophy of its manufacture in such a way that the answer is always yes. However, this will not happen on its own – it requires the involvement of manufacturers, customer companies and the wider individual consumer alike.

Making widespread changes on the ecological horizon requires companies to change their business philosophy and make consistent changes to their production processes.

Consumers, on the other hand, have an important role to play in supporting these efforts with their purchasing preferences. It is of great importance on their part to pay attention to the origin of packaging, raw materials and inputs used in the production of purchased goods, as well as the method of handling waste. This is important because green changes on a company-wide scale involve major costs, requiring the participation of a customer interested in supporting their choice.

Only by joining forces and understanding that producers and consumers are interconnected vessels when it comes to ecological progress can significant changes in this sphere be made consistently. Building environmental awareness in society is therefore fundamental to the material viability and therefore the very possibility for businesses to realistically implement these important and necessary changes.

Our contribution to a greener future

We are involved in the active promotion of basing production processes on environmentally friendly reusable materials, in opposition to the use of single-use plastic packaging. We do this in all areas of our business, directing our voice to both retail customers and businesses. One example of our activity in this sphere is the ‘Woman and the Environment’ campaign carried out on behalf of the Raja-Danièle Marcovici Foundation.

We give packaging a second life through modern recycling, consistently increasing the proportion of recyclable packaging in our production. We also encourage the collection of waste for reuse.

We also keep an eye on the environment in our own backyard. We are committed to reducing our carbon footprint on deliveries and are continually expanding our range of innovative, eco-friendly offers based on renewable raw materials. We are reducing the number of printed catalogues in favour of electronic versions. In the production of the remaining copies, we engage paper from sustainably managed forests.

We also provide design assistance to our partners for ecological solutions.

Expert assistance in choosing ecological solutions

Rajapack provides expert assistance in selecting solutions for its customers. Feel free to contact us for product information and to tailor a proposal to your individual needs.

Many of the products available in our extensive portfolio are available ‘off-the-shelf’. We have a range of over 3,000 proposals with delivery within 24 hours of ordering.

Our well-established European brand position is a guarantee of the quality of each product.

As much as 86% of our solutions are sold in Europe and 97% of our suppliers come from Europe.

Our customers include a variety of industries for which Rajapack provides environmentally friendly packaging solutions with a high corporate culture.

The digitalisation of the brand and the ordering process makes it fast, transparent and secure.

By going green, you help and benefit

Our approach to the use of eco-friendly raw materials involves maintaining consistently high quality standards for all our products. When you choose to use eco-friendly and recycled packaging for your business, you get the same top Rajapack quality that has been known for over 60 years. Nor do you incur any additional costs in doing so, which is taken care of by our pricing policy. By contributing to the preservation of the environment by choosing eco-friendly solutions, you are ensuring a better future without losing out in any field.

What you gain, on the other hand, is a positive image for your company. Today’s consumers are increasingly environmentally aware and therefore wish to voluntarily choose green solutions for their needs. The possibility of using the services of a company that provides ecological solutions is increasingly becoming the proverbial tongue-in-cheek in the customer’s decision-making process.

Read also:

• Where to get a large cardboard box for shipping?
• Cardboard products – where to buy cardboard boxes?
• How to assemble cardboard boxes? Complete guide