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On April 22, 1970, a demonstration began in the USA. More than 20 million people gathered to protest against the pollution and destruction of nature. This unforgettable moment, which later led to the creation of Earth Day, launched the global conservation movement.

Earth Day: a pivotal moment for the planet

Senator Gaylord Nelson was behind the idea of Earth Day and decided to bring together American universities and the general public in a large-scale citizen initiative to promote environmental protection. The event was not just a protest – it became the impetus for major legislative changes and the creation of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Over the years, Earth Day has become a global holiday that today connects millions of people around the world. In 1990, more than 200 million people in 140 countries, including Czechoslovakia, joined in. It is a day that reminds us that protecting our planet is not only necessary, but possible – if each of us chooses to act.

RAJA as patron of Earth Day

It is in this spirit that RAJA has become the patron of Earth Day for the third time. It sees its success not only in its quality products, but also in its responsibility for the future of our planet. As a European leader in packaging solutions, RAJA aims to become a leader in 100% recyclable packaging. This ambitious goal underlines its tireless efforts in innovation and selection of eco-friendly materials that help companies reduce their ecological footprint and contribute to the protection of nature.

Women & Environment programme: supporting green initiatives

In 2015, the company launched a program Women & Environmentprogram, which supports innovative projects aimed at improving the environment each year. This program is carried out in collaboration with 12 European RAJA offices, and a contribution is made from every purchase of selected company products to projects that support women in their environmental activities. To date, more than 2.5 million euros have been raised through this program, supporting 83 projects worldwide.

Examples of important environmental projects

Some of the significant projects supported by the Foundation include support for the organization Agronomes et Vétérinaires Sans Frontièreswhich has been helping farming communities in developing countries for more than 40 years, particularly through agroecological methods. RAJA has supported, for example, the training of women in Senegal in animal husbandry, which has led to an increase in their income and contributed to their economic emancipation.

Another initiative is Chemin des Fleurswhich targets women far from the labour market and provides them with training in organic gardening and cultivation. Project Carton Plein focuses on the recycling of cardboard packaging and the labour integration of homeless people.

Sustainable procurement at RAJA

As a distributor, RAJA works with an extensive network of partners – from manufacturers of packaging materials, business equipment and consumer goods, to printers and transport companies. RAJA’s purchasing decisions, supply chain management and relationship building with partners play a key role in shaping its offerings and fulfilling its commitments to customers.

The three pillars of responsible procurement:

• Local sourcing
  The company prioritises locally and European sourced products to minimise transport distances and reduce CO₂ emissions. Up to 86% of the packaging products in their range are sourced from Europe.
• Ethical standards of suppliers
  RAJA only works with partners who adhere to the principles of the Responsible Sourcing Charter and sustainable development, including respect for human rights and international labour standards.
• Long-term cooperation and resilience
  The company strives for stable and fair relationships with suppliers, enabling it to face supply chain challenges together and increase business resilience.

Rule 3-R: Reduce – Reuse – Recycle

RAJA doesn’t just offer eco-friendly products – it also actively helps customers optimise their packaging processes. A key principle is the 3-R Rule, which promotes the responsible use of packaging:

• Reducing packaging consumption
  Helps customers choose the right types and sizes of packaging that minimize waste and unnecessary materials.
• Reuse
  Promotes the use of packaging solutions that can be reused – from fill materials to shipping containers.
• Recycling
  Prioritises packaging made from recycled materials and those that can be easily recycled.

Certification and quality assessment

Sustainability is part of the company culture. The following certifications are proof of this:

• ISO 14001
  20 of the 26 RAJA Group companies are certified to this international standard for environmental management, which ensures control of waste, emissions and energy consumption.
• ISO 9001
  23 out of 26 companies meet the quality management standard, which guarantees a high standard of products and services.
• EcoVadis
  The RAJA Group as a whole was awarded a Silver rating (Silver) for its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) system in 2025, with a score of 71/100 compared to 63/100 in 2022. Selected subsidiaries, such as RAJA Italy and RAJA Poland, were even awarded a Gold rating (Gold).

Innovations in cooperation with the LIFE programme

In 2025, RAJA joined the European LIFE programme, which supports projects aimed at reducing the environmental impact of economic activities. RAJA is a proud partner of RE-ZIP, a Danish innovator in reusable transport packaging. It distributes this solution exclusively in Belgium, the Netherlands and France.

RAJA proves that its role as patron of Earth Day is not just symbolic. It is a commitment to real and lasting environmental change that is not limited to its production processes, but also to broad support for specific environmental initiatives and projects.