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Earth Day: a pivotal moment for the planet

On April 22, 1970, a demonstration was held in the USA, attended by more than 20 million people. Together they protested against pollution and the destruction of nature. This unforgettable moment, which led to the birth of Earth Day, launched a worldwide environmental movement.

Senator Gaylord Nelson was behind the idea of Earth Day, which brought together American universities and the general public in a major grassroots initiative to protect the environment. It wasn’t just a protest – the event became the impetus for major legislative changes and the creation of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

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

RAJA as the patron of Earth Day

In this spirit, RAJA has become a patron of Earth Day for the third time. It sees success not only in quality products, but also in responsibility for the future of the planet. As a European leader in packaging solutions, it aims to become a leader in 100% recyclable packaging. It supports this ambitious goal through tireless innovation and the 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, RAJA Group launched the Women & Environment program, which supports innovative projects aimed at improving the environment on an annual basis. The programme works in partnership with RAJA’s 12 European offices, and a contribution from every purchase of selected products goes towards projects supporting women in their environmental activities. So far, more than 2.5 million euros have been raised, which have helped 83 projects around the world.

Examples of important environmental projects

Notable projects include support for Agronomes et Vétérinaires Sans Frontières, an organisation that has been helping farming communities in developing countries for more than 40 years through agroecological methods. In Senegal, RAJA has thus supported the training of women in animal husbandry, which has contributed to increasing their income and economic independence.

Another project is Chemin des Fleurs, which targets women far from the labour market and provides them with training in organic gardening and cultivation. The Carton Plein project, in turn, is dedicated to recycling cardboard packaging and the labour integration of homeless people.

Sustainable procurement at RAJA

As a distributor, RAJA works with a wide range of partners – from manufacturers of packaging, equipment and consumer goods, to printers and transport companies. Purchasing decisions, supply chain management and building relationships with partners play a key role in shaping the offer and fulfilling commitments to customers.

The three pillars of responsible procurement:

• Local sourcing
  Preference is given to locally and European sourced products to minimise transport distances and CO₂ emissions. Up to 86% of the packaging products in the range are sourced from Europe.

• Supplier ethical standards
  RAJA only works with partners who adhere to the principles of the Responsible Sourcing and Sustainable Development Charter, including respect for human rights and international labour standards.

• Long-term collaboration and resilience
  The company strives for stable and fair relationships with suppliers that enable them to face challenges together and increase business resilience.

The 3-R Rule: Reduce – Reuse – Recycle

RAJA doesn’t just offer eco-friendly products – it actively helps customers optimize their packaging processes. A key principle is the 3-R Rule:

• Reduce – Reduce Packaging
  It helps to select the right types and sizes of packaging to minimize waste and excess material.

• Reuse
  Promotes the use of packaging solutions that can be reused – from fillers to shipping containers.

• Recycling
  Preference is given to packaging made from recycled materials or those that can be easily recycled.

Certification and quality assessment

Sustainability is a firm part of the company culture, as demonstrated by the following certifications:

• ISO 14001
  20 of the 26 RAJA Group companies have environmental management certification, which guarantees control over waste, emissions and energy consumption.

• ISO 9001
  23 of the 26 companies meet the quality management standard, which guarantees a high standard of products and services.

• EcoVadis
  In 2025, the RAJA Group received a silver rating for its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) system with a score of 71/100 compared to 63/100 in 2022. Selected subsidiaries such as RAJA Italy or RAJA Poland were even awarded gold.

Innovations in cooperation with LIFE

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

RAJA thus proves that its role as patron of Earth Day is not just symbolic. It is a commitment to real and lasting environmental change – not only through its own production, but also through its support for concrete environmental initiatives and projects.