[NL] Sustainable packaging with RAJA: the most popular innovations of 2023
7min read
01/11/2023
Netherlands
Ready to become even more sustainable? Right you are! Not only companies are aiming for a smaller ecological footprint these days, a growing number of consumers share the same opinion. That is why web shops and retailers are increasingly opting for eco-friendly packaging. Just like the average consumer, we here at RAJA also believe in the power of sustainable packaging. And we put our money where our mouth is. In 2023, we brought many new packaging innovations onto the market. Time for an overview! Take a look below to see which solutions were most popular and find out what is perfect for your activities.
1. Sustainable packaging and shipping
Opting for ecological packaging materials is an excellent strategy to make your business sustainable. Ever thought of switching from virgin plastic to recycled plastic? Or to opt for paper and cardboard alternatives? Then now is the perfect time to get started. RAJA’s packaging innovations below will help you get started. Take a look at our most popular innovations in 2023 and find out how sustainable packaging fits into your business.
► 1.1 Sustainable packaging
| Air cushion bag 80% recycled  |
Instead of virgin plastic, this air cushion bag is made of 80% recycled polyethylene. A whole lot more sustainable in other words! It offers excellent protection against shocks, bumps and scratches thanks to the shock-absorbing studs on the inside.
In addition, the bag has a handy closing strip with a 5 cm overlap. So less tape and faster packing. These flexible bags are suitable for various products and do not weigh much. |
Paper bubble envelope |
The paper bubble envelope is an excellent ecological alternative to plastic air cushions. On the inside is a punched-out corrugated structure that imitates the shock-absorbing properties of air bubbles.
Ideal for sending flat and small products via postal and courier services. The customer can easily sort it with the paper after use. |
Paper bubble bag |
Another alternative to plastic air cushion bags is this one, also made of paper. The paper corrugated structure absorbs shocks very well, just like plastic bubbles. There is an adhesive strip at the top to close and process orders faster. After use, the bag can be sorted with the paper. Handy! |
| Foam box 100% recycled .  |
This extra-large foam box offers the most complete protection for large and fragile products during your shipment. Equipped with a thick and flexible foam interior, the box protects items such as frames, mirrors and framed photos.
Its innovation lies in its recycled composition: both the cardboard and the foam filling (PET) are fully recycled and recyclable. After use, you can easily separate the cardboard and PET separately. |
► 1.2 Durable (sealing) and fastening
Reinforced paper tape |
Need to seal a heavy box? Then forget plastic tape for once but opt for this variant: the reinforced paper tape with ribbon thread. The backing consists of kraft paper and ribbon threads, while the natural rubber adhesive ensures firm adhesion. The ribbon threads reinforce the kraft paper. All that material is completely of natural origin and recyclable together. |
| Manual stretch film 80% recycled  |
Strong eco-friendly alternatives also exist for pallet wrapping these days. Low-noise and fast wrapping is no obstacle here. This single-sided adhesive stretch film consists of 9 layers of cast polyethylene film that is up to 120% elastic.
This stretch film contributes to a circular economy by using post-consumer and post-industrial waste. A sustainable choice, therefore, for those wishing to wrap their pallets. |
2. Durable protection and padding
In sustainable packaging, protection naturally plays an important role. After all, a successful shipment only counts when the packaged product reaches the end customer in perfect condition. Therefore, leave nothing to chance and avoid frustrated customers. Which eco-friendly padding material fits into your strategy?
► 2.1 Sustainable wrapping
| Refill paper 100% recycled  |
Fill empty spaces in boxes to stabilise products and protect them from shocks. The flexible paper is flexible and folds to any shape.
The dispenser box takes up little space at the packing table and makes the paper ready for use immediately. Handy for processing a large quantity of orders at a fast pace. Finally, the filling paper is 100% recycled. |
| Bubble wrap 80% recycled .  |
Made of durable polyethylene with a thickness of 80 microns, this universal air cushion film offers excellent protection against dust and impact.
Thanks to the handy tear-off perforation, you can easily tear off the required amount of film without scissors or a knife. Moreover, this air film is eco-friendly, with 80% recycled material. It comes in a handy dispenser box, protected from dust, which is easy to move. |
Shock-resistant packing paper |
This shock-resistant packing paper has similar properties to plastic bubble wrap. The packing paper has a wavy relief, which, like other packaging innovations, imitates the shock-resistant nature of plastic bubbles. Thanks to its paper raw material, you can simply sort it together with your cardboard box. |
| Protective paper for thermal insulation .  |
Even for temperature-sensitive products, RAJA’s range offers a durable solution. This protective paper consists of several layers that provide thermal insulation. Moreover, this product is flexible enough to fit into different types of packaging.
For shipping chilled or frozen products, we recommend considering additional cooling elements. Like the other paper products in this overview, you may just sort it in the paper waste. |
| White silk paper 100% recycled  |
Admittedly, silk paper is pretty eco-friendly on its own. But it can be even better with this variant made of 100% recycled material.
The soft paper not only protects against scratches, but also adds a touch of luxury to your wrapped gifts. That is why this padding material is very popular for sending precious and delicate items. |
► 2.2 Sustainable protection
Paper padding chips |
These paper chips are the alternative to traditional foam padding chips. Due to their origami-like structure, they adhere together excellently to protect your product from shocks round-the-clock.
These paper chips consist of 100% recycled material. This allows the customer to sort the padding together with your cardboard box. So you pack completely frustration-free. |
| Textile sheet 100% recycled  |
As a padding material, textile brings some interesting advantages to the table. Textile sheets are flexible, light and reusable. Moreover, they resist perforation, compression, shock and vibration.
Today, they are often used as an alternative to foam sheets made of, for example, polyethylene. |
3. Why sustainable packaging?
Of course, sustainable packaging is not something you do just for the sake of it. There are several good reasons. On the one hand, consumers want to have a positive experience from buying their products. As the first physical contact point between company and customer, packaging plays a crucial role here. Innovative packaging not only enhances the unboxing experience, but also facilitates and ensures the transport of your products.
On the other hand, the ecological side of e-commerce is under increasing scrutiny. As with customer experience, innovative packaging is the solution here. Innovative packaging means environmentally-oriented thinking, and you do this by taking certain eco-friendly criteria into account. Think of packaging with reusable and recyclable materials or mono-packaging that has a clean composition.
Besides the composition of a package, the packaging method is equally important. For instance, the amount of (unnecessary) air in a package still causes a lot of annoyance among consumers. This is also a problem for companies: noncompact packaging causes unnecessary transport costs and requires extra filling material. Therefore, pack cleverly and avoid air in packaging as much as possible.
To sum up: online consumers see packaging as one of the most important tools to emphasise a company’s sustainable character. This was also shown in Becom’s Belgian Online Shopper Survey. When these consumers have to describe a webshop as ‘sustainable’, 37% think of efficient (compact) packaging and 33% of packaging made of environmentally friendly materials. So more than once, ‘green’ packaging deserves a central role in your approach.
Finally, sustainable packaging is a strategy that we are increasingly seeing seeping into legislation, both at regional and international level. Just look at the European Union: in the near future, packages that do not comply with the European Packaging Act will no longer be allowed on the market. This poses an additional concern for e-commerce companies. But we also bring good news! With RAJA’s packaging innovations, you can play it safe and fully comply with tomorrow’s rules right now. So what are you waiting for!
