The complete guide to packaging recycling

Le recyclage des emballages est l’une des clés fondamentales pour mettre en place une logistique éco-responsable dans votre entreprise. Chaque type d’emballage se recycle à sa façon.

Grâce au recyclage des emballages, un rejet de 1,6 million de tonnes de CO2 a été évité en 2020.

Comment sont recyclés vosemballages en papier, carton et plastique? Quelles sont les solutions de remplacement au recyclage des emballages?

Tout savoir sur le recyclage de vos emballages

Recyclage des emballages en France : comment cela se passe-t-il ?

C’est à la création de la loi Royal en 1992, que les communes de France se voient dans l’obligation de mettre en place des dispositifs de recyclage des déchets collectés. Dans le même temps, la dynamique de recyclage au niveau national est lancée grâce à la création de l’ADEME (l’Agence de l’Environnement et de la Maîtrise de l’Energie).

Les sociétés de recyclage se comptent aujourd’hui par centaines, et travaillent en continu

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	The Triman logo informs the consumer of the company’s involvement in a waste sorting and recycling policy. It is not compulsory to place it directly on the packaging: its appearance on a leaflet is sufficient.
	The Mobius loop is a pictogram indicating that the packaging is potentially recyclable, provided that it is disposed of in the associated sorting system.
	The purpose ofthe introductory sorting instructions is to inform consumers about sorting packaging without them having to do any research.

Focus on plastic recycling

The packaging sector is the largest generator of plastic waste. PET and HDPE are the main types of plastic recycled at present. The plastic recycling process is as follows

The waste is compacted into plastic bales at the sorting centre.
The bales are cleaned and then shredded into plastic flakes.
The plastic flakes are washed of any impurities and then optically sorted to separate the different plastics.
The (microscopic) flakes are heated to melt and form pellets which are sent to a recycling plant to form new objects.

according toEuropean Bioplastics, a bioplastic is a plastic that is biosourced, biodegradable, or both. This type of plastic can be made from corn or beetroot, for example, and not from a synthetic polymer like the others. Find out more about this topic, see our article “All about plastic recycling”.and to inspire you to use eco-friendly plastics, check out some RAJA products made of recycled plastic

	RAJA 50% recycled plastic zip lock bag 60 microns
	Marmipack® black plastic food box, recyclable

focus on paper recycling

Paper is a material that can be recycled up to 5 times!

Paper packaging is recycled in the following way:
The sorted paper is shredded into flakes.
The flakes are stirred in water to break them up.
The resulting paper pulp is filtered and then undergoes a chemical de-inking process.
After drying, the paper pulp is flattened by large rolls to the required thickness and then rewound.
The paper is then cut for use in a dedicated factory.

we offer various products made of recycled and/or recyclable paper

	Our kraft paper tape enhances the value of the package, in addition to its instant adhesion, and is recycled with the cardboard box it is placed on.
	Our manual palletising stretch wrap is 100% recyclable and PEFC certified, and due to its elasticity it is tear resistant.
	We also offer recycled bubble wrap, which is just as effective as its plastic counterpart and is 100% recycled paper, flexible and lightweight.
	Our padded honeycomb paper pouch is also recyclable and the honeycomb structure ensures that products are protected while the pouch remains lightweight.

focus on cardboard recycling

Cardboard is made from wood fibres, just like paper, except that it is a thicker and denser paper.This material can therefore be recycled in the same way as paper. Recycled cardboard can be made exclusively from recycled cardboard or from a paper-cardboard mixture. Recycled paper-cardboard waste can be used to manufacture new packaging, without losing rigidity. At RAJA, we offer you a varied range of products made from recyclable and/or recycled cardboard

	We have several models of cardboard boxes, whose fluting can be adapted to the needs of your goods(single, double or triple fluting). These boxes are ideal eco-responsible protection for your products, available in variable formats.
	Suitable for food packaging, our cross-linked cardboard box is biosourced and recyclable.
	The brown cardboard box with side closure is made from 70% recycled cardboard.

to find out more about this topic, read here’s how the recycling of cardboard and paper takes place.

how to implement an eco-friendly packaging strategy?

You can implement an eco-friendly packaging strategy through the 5Rs of packaging, of which recycling is one

RAJA telescopic brown cardboard box

reduce

Minimise the weight and volume of your packaging to protect your goods without overpacking them. To achieve this, select packaging that is best suited to the size of the product to reduce the void in your packages.

HIPLI reusable opaque shipping box

reuse

Use packaging for yourself or your customers that can be used over and over again without losing its protective quality, thus producing less waste!

Reinforced honeycomb cardboard sheet

replace

packaging that has a high environmental impact or cannot be recycled with more environmentally friendly solutions, e.g. cardboard or paper instead of polystyrene.

INKA standard moulded wood pallet

renew

Priority should be given to packaging made from bio-based materials such as wood, sugar cane, corn or bamboo.

recycling concerns all types of packaging. Thanks to national schemes, recycling of packaging is becoming more and more accessible. If you want to improve your company’s eco-friendly packaging policy, take a look at RAJA’s selection of eco-friendly packaging.