Essential dictionary on environment and packaging

are you willing to contribute to the preservation of the environment from your business or e-commerce? Then this dictionary of essential terms about ecology and packaging that we have prepared with all our love in RAJA® is for you. How many times have you asked yourself if it is better to buy a recycled product or a recyclable one? Or if ecological is the same as sustainable? Leave your doubts aside. Today we are going to explain you the meaning of 12 basic adjectives about environment and packaging that will help you to plan an EcoResponsible purchase of materials for the preparation of your orders.

12 basic environmental and packaging terms

Biodegradable

A biodegradable article is one that decomposes into microscopic fragments, under natural environmental conditions, under the action of biological agents such as the sun, humidity, different micro-organisms, animals and plants. In this way, the particles that make it up return to the soil, integrating again with the environment.

This process has a variable duration depending on the material: organic waste, for example, can biodegrade in just a few days, while a synthetic element will require several years.

In the RAJA® catalogue we have biodegradable bags with handles made from cereal starch that are also compostable, see the following definition.

Compostable

Compostable products are biodegradable, but with two additional characteristics:

• They decompose relatively quickly when subjected to specific conditions of temperature and oxygen.
• Their remains become compost, a kind of nutrient-rich fertiliser that can be used in gardens and agricultural land.

This is the case with our Renature® filler chips, made from corn starch.

Organic

What is labelled as organic is distinguished by the fact that it has been produced without the addition of environmentally harmful chemicals and is therefore environmentally friendly, neither during production nor during subsequent use.

At RAJA® we satisfy your curiosity about this aspect of packaging with this post that answers frequently asked questions about eco-friendly packaging.

EcoResponsible

An EcoResponsible product, action or decision is characterised by the fact that it contributes to the defence of the environment from different perspectives:

• By using recyclable, recycled, biodegradable, compostable, renewable or returnable materials.
• By thinking about the use of appropriate quantities and sizes, avoiding waste.
• By ensuring that the same article has several lives.
• Spreading environmental awareness in the environment.

Consult the RAJA® EcoResponsible catalogue, with everything you need to develop a more environmentally friendly packaging for your business or online shop.

Eco-Friendly

The definition of eco-friendly is perhaps the most subjective in this dictionary on the environment and packaging. Eco-friendly is based on the adoption of a lifestyle that aims to find a balance between social, economic and environmental benefits. It is about analysing the repercussion that each of our actions has on others, and trying to guide them in a way that minimises damage and favours positive impacts.

Organic

Organic, in its environmental sense, refers to food or consumables that have not been produced without the use of chemical additives such as fertilisers, pesticides or herbicides. In most cases, and when referring to agricultural or livestock production, it is used as a synonym for ecological.

Recyclable

A recyclable item is an item that can be recycled, i.e. it can undergo a process of transformation of its components to create a new product. A packaging item can be partially or fully recyclable, such as our white thin cardboard boxes, which are ideal for individual packaging of small items and provide a neat and elegant presentation to the recipient of the goods.

Recycling

A recycled item has been made from materials obtained through a previous recycling process. You could say that a recycled item has already had other lives, and that it returns to serve us through one of its new reincarnations.

RAJA® industrial paper bags are the perfect example of a 100% recycled and recyclable product.

Renewable

A renewable raw material is one that regenerates itself in nature at a faster rate than it is consumed by humans. At RAJA® we incorporate such substances in products such as paper film for air systems, 80% of which is made from renewable raw materials.

Returnable

A returnable container is designed to hold, preserve and transport product in successive cycles. Once each use has been completed, the container undergoes a sanitising process and returns to its place of origin to start again. Returnable Transport Packaging (RTP) has become the norm in many warehouses as, with proper maintenance, it can withstand dozens or even hundreds of trips in perfect condition.

if you need RTCs, check out RAJA® nestable plastic containers with lids – designed to save 70% space on return trips!

Reusable

Reusable items are those that can be used for more than one purpose, either the same or different from the original. A simple example is shopping bags that are used to carry groceries and end up in the rubbish bin. At RAJA® we have reusable bags that are very economical and 100% recyclable.

Sustainable

Sustainable production is not only committed to the preservation of the environment, but also takes care of the local economy of the territories where the activity is carried out.

Put theory into practice with RAJA®’s range of EcoResponsible products. We have hundreds of packaging items with a very low environmental impact always in stock. Ask us for what you need!