5 basic principles for more sustainable packaging

Packaging today is essential to protect, transport and deliver all products in good condition. This is undeniable. But the growth of certain activities, including e-commerce, has contributed to an exponential increase in the packaging we use. Our challenge now is to find more sustainable alternatives to our traditional packaging

We all recognise the value of packaging

Obviously, packaging plays an essential role in the protection and transport of products, and we all pay attention to the reception of our packages and the good condition of their contents

did you know that 73% of consumers do not want to buy again from the same place if their order has arrived damaged?⁽¹⁾

or that 66% of consumers feel that the packaging reflects the importance the retailer places on customers and their orders?⁽²⁾

The challenge today is to package more EcoResponsibly

Consumers are aware of the environmental challenges. They are rejecting over-packaging and more and more of them are selectively collecting waste. Packaging must respond to new expectations: reducing the consumption of raw materials, using renewable or recycled materials, and being recyclable

51% of Spanish consumers surveyed buy EcoResponsible packaging⁽³⁾

Five principles for more sustainable packaging

The time of the linear economy that consisted of – extract, make, consume, throw away – is over! We have now entered a circular model that aims to reduce our impact on the environment. Reduce, Reuse, Replace, Renew and Recycle – these are the 5 R’s of packaging!

► 1- Reduce packaging consumption

This is possible by limiting the weight and volume of packaging to the minimum necessary to protect products well but without over-packaging

how can this be achieved in practice? box with variable heightit has pre-cuts to adapt the box to the height of your products, up to 11 heights in some formats. These boxes are particularly useful if you ship products that differ slightly in size. The result? More compact boxes with less filling material and less adhesive tape.

► 2- Reuse

At RAJA® we offer you, whenever possible, packaging designed from the outset to be reusable

Some have been designed to satisfy your customers, others have been created to withstand a lot of handling without being damaged

Returnable packaging has been designed from the outset to be reusable, Jiffy Green padded paper envelopes, recyclable plastic containers, or 100% recycled nestable plastic pallets follow this logic of reusability and durability

► 3- Replace

To preserve our planet, we must replace high environmental impact or non-recyclable packaging with EcoResponsible alternatives

We work closely with our suppliers to offer you a range of EcoResponsible packaging with the same quality of protection and meeting all your needs.

For example, instead of using polystyrene corners, try 100% recycled cardboard corners, which are environmentally friendly, practical, resistant and protect against shocks

Food packaging – no more plastics!

At RAJA, we have replaced all plastic food packaging with cardboard or wooden packaging. Here are some examples:

do you need plastic bags? Recycle them!

A more EcoResponsible solution than plastic bags: 100% recycled plastic bags.

4- Renew

Using bio-based packaging, i.e. made from renewable raw materials, helps to reduce our environmental impact

The paper pulp, the main raw material for our cardboard and paper packaging, is produced from 70% of wood, which comes from the forest clearings necessary to maintain the forests, the remaining 30% comes from fallen timber and wood recovered from sawmills (source: Ecofolio).

Wherever possible, we use recycled raw materials.

At RAJA, 1465 products are manufactured from renewable materials and, even better, 1000 products contain recycled materials

► 5- Recycle

To move towards a circular economy, it is necessary to develop recycling, which offers a second way for our packaging. It is therefore essential:

• Multiply recyclable packaging.
• Encourage selective collection so that they are truly recycled.
• Reuse the raw material.

Cardboard is an EcoResponsible material, 100% renewable, 100% recyclable and 92% recycled and 100% biodegradable

But there is still progress to be made in plastic recycling. 20% of plastic products were recycled in 2013 ⁽⁴⁾. The target is 80% by 2030 ⁽⁵⁾. Today, some plastics are recyclable by everyone, others only after separate collection in companies

More information on recycling on Rajapack.co.uk/environment

Packaging and environment are two strategic challenges for the RAJA Group. We care about distribution and the role that packaging plays in the protection and transport of your products, and we are actively and sustainably involved in reducing our impact on the environment.

https://youtu.be/efN9oYmcbQQ

how to order the new RAJA® catalogue?

• You can request it by email: contacto@rajapack.es
• Free phone: 900 877 025
• Or even easier, download it online or request your free catalogue through our website:

Sources

(1) Package Insight Study 2016, conducted by Pregis based on US consumers. (2) Sealead Air 2014 – Packaging for e-commerce study conducted based on US consumers. (3) European consumer packaging perceptions study conducted by Procarton 2018. (4) INRA, “Recycler les plastiques à l’inifini”. (5) European directives for the recycling of packaging waste.