OVERPACKAGING - A NEW CHALLENGE

In the world of sustainable packaging, we often hear about plastic, recycle, paper and pollution. However, the attention to design and material of packaging is not sufficient, we need to consider overpackaging. 

Overpackaging is when a product is contained in a box that is bigger than the object. The result is a big waste of materials. 

This phenomenon occurs especially in the food industry where a large quantity of plastic and paper is used to pack each product such as fruits or vegetables. 

That’s why the fight against pollution should start from the project of the perfect design. Companies should not consider the number of products but their dimensions and characteristics; this because perishable goods need to be packaged in specific boxes to increase their shelf life. 

Furthermore, it has been studied that recycling is not the solution: even if you use sustainable products, you are always producing more than the products require. 

Another problem is related to marketing strategies because in supermarkets packaging must attract consumers and new potential buyers. Colors and design play an extremely important role in the sale process. This because our mind wants something that grabs their attention and stimulates desirability. 

To reduce the waste of packaging, BOTTA Packaging provides the right combination between design and sustainability. 

For instance, Eco-Paper Fruit Tray is eco-friendly, circular by nature, and recyclable. It is the perfect solution for fruit protection in retail stores. It is composed of molded pulp. It saves space, warehousing, and transportation costs. The most interesting advantage is that it is flexible and the design allows the stackability of trays. 

If you want to discover our range of eco-products, visit our website. 

Reference

https://ilsalvagente.it/2019/12/15/imballaggi-di-troppo-il-riciclo-serve-a-poco-senza-combattere-loverpackaging/ 

https://www.renewablematter.eu/articoli/article/quando-e-troppo-over-packaging-nel-sistema-cibo 

https://www.ecoefficientdesign.com/ecoblog/overpackaging-how-to-abuse-from-packaging-materials 

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PACKAGING, MARKETING, AND SUSTAINABILITY

Contain and protect the product - ten years ago the function of packaging was not essential to attract consumers and sell products. 

However, things have changed and today we cannot consider packaging as a separate part of the product. They must be projected and seen as a single entity. 

The packaging is the first element that determines the choice of a product because our attention is becoming poorer and poorer. That why companies are trying to find the right combination between design and sustainability for packaging. The focus is shifting from what we find inside the box to the characteristics of a box. 

For instance, if a consumer thinks that packaging is not sustainable and attractive, she or he would not purchase this. 

Furthermore, today companies must communicate their values and this part starts from the packaging. 

In order to reach this purpose, companies need to invest in a graphic team specialized in marketing and design because both skills are required.

As for sustainability, it has been studied that consumers are willing to spend more money on packaging that they found sustainable. On the contrary, they reject it.

In BOTTA Packaging you can find a wide range of eco-products in which the attention to design is considered as well as sustainability. In fact, BOTTA Packaging uses recyclable materials that are circular by nature.

One of the latest products is Eco-Self Seal Cardboard: the perfect solution that provides protection and gives a pleasant aesthetic appearance to packaged products.

You can find information and detailed descriptions on our website. 

Reference

https://tivitti.com/importanza-packaging-tra-design-e-marketing/ 

https://www.insidemarketing.it/importanza-packaging-strategie-marketing/ 

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WATER WASTE – A GLOBAL CHALLENGE

Today, thousands of people are still dying due to the lack of water or its contamination. This happens especially in developing countries while in the modern world the water is also used as a source of energy; furthermore, a large quantity is wasted doing everyday actions. This diversity is not acceptable, but the inadequate distribution or resources is not a new issue. 

It is important to distinguish wastewater made by people in their houses and wastewater related to big industries. 

As for companies, the water used in the production chain by industries becomes polluted and even toxic for our health. So, when corporate social responsibility and the attention for circular or green economy are not the main objectives, the result is a huge wastewater and serious consequences for the environment.  

First, it is necessary to consider the impact on sea wildlife: the coral reef is disappearing, and experts have found microplastics inside the body of various fishes that we eat and this means that we pollute the environment and then the effects are toxic.

Polluted waters have a separate treatment in the process of recycle of in a circular economy vision. However, this implies a high cost that companies are not willing to pay because it is easier to throw them into the rivers. That is why metals, viruses, bacteria and other substances are contained in our water. 

Source:  Life cycle assessment from Botta Packaging

As for people, even when we have a daily shower, we never consider the ingredients of our shampoo and scrub for instance. Microplastics are contained in these products and they enter in the water.

In conclusion, organizations are trying to fight against water waste. For instance, UNESCO has established the World Water Assessment Programme (WWAP). Its aim is to provide concrete solutions and knowledge in order to achieve the objectives of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. 

Sources: 

https://swachhindia.ndtv.com/recycling-reusing-wastewater-can-solve-global-water-crisis-un-5679/ 

https://www.usgs.gov/special-topic/water-science-school/science/reclaimed-wastewater?qt-science_center_objects=0#qt-science_center_objects 

https://en.unesco.org/wwap/about-us 

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EARTH DAY 2021

USA, October 1969: John McConnel, peace activist and environmentalist, calls on the UN Secretary-general to sign a proclamation spreading awareness about the need of creating a movement for our planet's preservation and protection. 

April 1970: 20 million Americans respond to this call, by demonstrating and officially establishing the first Earth Day. Every year since then, around 200 countries celebrate this day. 

April 2021: it is celebrated the 51st anniversary of this day. Each year, April 22 becomes a symbolic day to demonstrate and raise awareness against pollution, climate change, biodiversity protection. This year, the theme is ecosystem restoration.

The UN has drawn up a 10-year program, from 2021 to 2030, in favor of the preservation of biodiversity on the planet. The plan is based on two actions: avoid the destruction of ecosystems, but also regenerate environmental degradation. This is the main mission, which is included among the goals of the 2030 Agenda. In fact, according to the UN, about 20% of the earth's surface has suffered a decrease in productivity due to soil erosion and pollution, and this will lead to a decline in resources. This number will grow, causing by 2050 a decrease in harvests. This will have negative repercussions, both social and economic. 

In this scenario, ecosystem restoration comes into play. Especially during the pandemic, we have seen how nature strongly depends on human actions, and how when human work is stopped, it can reborn and breathe again. Perhaps then, if we hurry, it will not be so late to save the planet that hosts us. And so here are some of the projects that are realized: 

- The Danube delta: the elimination of dams gave space back to nature and animals that inhabit this area, the largest wetland in Europe and home to great biodiversity;

- Pleistocene Park in Siberia: regenerating the northern steppes and making them fertile again; 

- Reforestation of Iceland, once rich in forests;

- The United States and the return of the sea eagle: after the abolition of DDT, a very poisonous pesticide, the presence of sea eagles has increased again;

- Save the tigers: 13 countries want to save this endangered animal species; 

- The underwater prairies of Venice: among the projects, there is also an Italian one. The prairies of the Venetian lagoon, that during pandemic has already given us crystal clear waters that have not been seen for a long time; 

- Coral restoration:  the goal is to rebuild the coral reefs in the Maldives, also thanks to the participation in the research of the University of Milano-Bicocca. 

Sources 

https://blog.geografia.deascuola.it/articoli/2021-2030-il-decennio-onu-per-il-ripristino-dellecosistema#:~:text=L'Assemblea%20generale%20delle%20Nazioni,preservare%20la%20biodiversit%C3%A0%20sul%20pianeta.

https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giornata_della_Terra#:~:text=La%20Giornata%20della%20Terra%20(in,di%20primavera%2C%20il%2022%20aprile.

https://www.lifegate.it/card/giornata-della-terra-2021-dieci-esempi-di-ripristino-degli-ecosistemi/12

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