Cradle to Cradle

This means producing a product in such a way that at the end of their life cycle they can be 100% reused. Therefore, manufacturers should look out for products that would not end up going to the grave and possibly destroying the environment because of their inability to degrade but to be recycled into something new that can serve another purpose. This concept involves no waste at all, fully sustainable, and complete reutilization of components used.  The philosophy surrounding this goes through 5 quality classifications. They include material health, material reutilization, water stewardship, social fairness, and renewable energy & carbon management.

Material Health has to do with the quality of the material being used for the production of the products and this matters throughout the life cycle of the products. This is by assessing the implications the materials would have on human health, animals, and the entire ecosystem as a whole.

Material Reutilization is about how the material for production is capable of being used to serve another purpose after its initial one. This helps to eliminate waste and focuses more on the effective use of resources.

Water stewardship deals with managing the use of water to mitigate any risks associated with its usage.  This helps in preserving water sustainably. 

With social fairness comes taking into consideration the interest of all stakeholders of your manufacturing process as an organization. That is, from employees to the community and the environment at large. 

Source: Sustainable product from Botta packaging

The management of renewable energy to reduce the release and impact of carbon into the ecosphere falls under the last quality category. If carbon is not well managed the whole ecosystem would become unsafe for our dwelling and their quest to produce goods and services would not be fulfilled in the long run. 

Without a very well-preserved environment, no production would be successful anyway therefore, organizations should take up this concept.

Sources

External Links

https://magazine.mosa.com/en-gb/the-definition-and-philosophy-of-cradle-to-cradle-design-explained

https://link.springer.com/referenceworkentry/10.1007%2F978-3-642-28036-8_165

Picture Link

https://unsplash.com/photos/TE_fvX7fhD8

 

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 Why is packaging so important?

Packaging is a fundamental marketing tool that has the task of convincing the customer to whom it is addressed, allowing the product to stand out from the different competitors of the same product category.

The creative process at the basis of it, must take into account: the content, which can be more or less emphasized, the target to which it targets and the brand image that is built around the brand.

Designers often question the possibility of giving the packaging a second function and often you jump into completely unusual areas.

Packaging (or packaging) involves the development of a container and a graphic design for a product. Packaging is a very important part of the product, as it can make it easier to use, easier to identify, more beautiful.

It’s able to influence customer attitudes and therefore their purchasing decisions, like the name of a brand.

There are thousands of products on the market that compete for the attention of your customers. According to some studies, one third of a consumer’s decision-making process is based exclusively on the packaging of the product. To be successful, the packaging of your brand must stand out and look different from your competitors.

The colours used in the packaging of the product play a key role in consumer purchasing decisions. Your brain reacts to colors in different ways, so choose the colors of the pack accordingly.

Source:  Life cycle assessment from Botta Packaging

Take a moment to think about some of your favorite brands. They all have one thing in common: they are memorable. Over the decades, brands such as Coca-Cola have made small changes to the packaging and have remained faithful to their original appearance.

https://www.adarte.pro/packaging.html   

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SUSTAINABLE PACKAGING IN THE COSMETIC SECTOR

 Sustainable packaging in the cosmetics sector

The cosmetics industry is undergoing a strong and rapid ecological transition. There is now talk of creating products that are sustainable and environmentally friendly. 

 

Industry giants have already moved in this direction and are making their environmental commitment a real production strategy. The initiatives that have been put in place put the recycled paper at the forefront of packaging. Even labels are now printed on paper. Recyclable and renewable paper offers various opportunities for innovation in the era of the circular economy and can replace all those materials that were previously and traditionally used for packaging. 

 

Thus, a revolution is taking place both in packaging and in the product itself. There are a new series of products called 'solids' which are packaged in cardboard. This cardboard is often made of recycled fibers or from sustainably managed forests.

In terms of logistics, eco-design measures have also been taken to save raw materials. Packaging that is lightened and reduced in size also allows more products to be transported.

 

Among the companies that have received awards for sustainability is La Saponaria, with its line of solid products. The packaging system for the solid body cream consists of an outer box made of cardboard, which can be recycled with paper, while the inner protective shell is 100% biodegradable cellulose. La Saponaria won the ECO PACKAGING AWARDS in the BODY CREAMS category.

Source: Botta packaging

 

Another company, which won the ECO PACKAGING AWARDS for the category body cleansing - other materials, is Officina Naturae. Its solid shampoo has packaging made of FSC-certified cardboard, as small as possible, and made from recyclable materials.

 

By now, cosmetic companies have launched themselves into the world of sustainability and eco-packaging to offer not only quality products but also green ones. And what are you waiting for to try these new product lines?

 

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AN UPTICK IN CONSUMER DEMAND FOR ENVIRONMENTALLY CONSCIOUS PRODUCTS

Sustainability is becoming more important. Initially, sustainability was seen as a passing fad, but given the present generation's concern, it seems it's here to stay. Sustainability is a hot topic among the younger generation. They are extremely worried about their environmental effect, good or bad. As a result, their buying decisions are influenced. The youth make up the majority of the world's population. For companies to understand their customers, they must first understand their generation's needs.

Source: Sustainable packaging from Botta Packaging

Today's consumers want recyclable, biodegradable, and compostable packaging. Consumers that care about the environment prefer items with recyclable or biodegradable packaging rather than those that wind up in landfills and harm the environment. Companies should be aware of this issue and consider switching to sustainable packaging if they haven't previously. BOTTA Packagingis an excellent resource for ideas.

Additionally, consumers are searching for products that have been certified as ecologically beneficial. Businesses should be transparent about their efforts to promote sustainability across their production processes and seek certifications as well. They can do this by putting a sustainability logo and certification on their packaging to educate their consumers about their goods.

Furthermore, consumers purchase with a sustainability mentality in mind; as a consequence, they are indifferent to the price of a product as long as it satisfies their sustainability criteria. This shows how significant environmental issues have grown in recent years for the general population. 

Any customer-oriented company tries to satisfy its customers' needs and will go to great lengths to accomplish this aim. As part of their CRS, businesses are expected to refrain from engaging in actions that jeopardize the safety of the community where they operate.

Because no company can exist in the absence of consumers, companies must adapt to changing market demands to stay successful. This is the only way to ensure long-term success.

Sources

https://live-domtar-newsroom-2020.pantheonsite.io/young-consumers-paper-sustainability/

https://www.visualcapitalist.com/the-worlds-population-2020-by-age/

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FOR SAFE FOOD DELIVERY

 

Food delivery is an industry that has been subjected to strong growth in the past years. Especially in our current time, where traveling is limited, food delivery plays an important role in the restaurant industry. 

There are now new ways to lunch, dine and shop for groceries. With this pandemic, food delivery has increased its popularity, reaching unprecedented numbers. Food delivery consists of having either a ready-made meal delivered or having your groceries brought to your home. You select the products you want to buy on the website and then they are shipped to your home. Food services use different means of delivery such as couriers who use bicycles or scooters or, in the case of shopping, the real vans. 

Food delivery has many advantages: it is convenient, practical, and fast. When you don't feel like cooking, all you have to do is choose what you want to eat and order it. And so happens for shopping: instead of going to the supermarket, especially with the risk of infection and the risk of crowding in supermarkets due to the emergency situation caused by the pandemic, you just choose the products to buy from your home and then place an order.

However, food delivery also leads to issues. With the current pandemic, security in the food delivery sector is increasingly sought after to ensure hygiene and avoid shoplifting of the product to be consumed. 

For this reason, BOTTA Packaging has created the ECO-SAFETY SEAL  a solution to protect products from possible tampering during transport. 

This innovation is recommended for all companies and restaurateurs that offer a delivery service.

The ECO-SAFETY SEAL is equipped with a security hologram and anti-tampering notches that qualify it among the top products of the latest generation to defend the contents of the packaging. In addition, thanks to its composition, the product is Paper Recyclable. The technology and the material used to create a perfect combination of security, innovation, and sustainability. The ECO-SAFETY SEAL is available both in the basic version and in the customizable one, in order to offer unique and safe packaging, putting side by side the logo of your company into a sustainable product.

 

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NO-PLASTIC CAMPAIGN: COCA COLA LAUCHES THE NEW PAPER BOTTLE

NO-PLASTIC CAMPAIGN: COCA COLA LAUNCHES THE NEW PAPER BOTTLE

The story about Coca-Cola is famous all around the world. Its bottle is a real icon, the most world-famous bottle, recognizable even with closed eyes and distinguishable from any other competitor.

But today that iconic bottle is ready for a change, for a revolution.

The new bottle created by Coca-Cola is still in the planning phase and it will be probably released next summer. The news came out on February 11TH, 2021: the company has started a revolution, an innovative project to reduce over 3 million tons of plastic used in its products' packaging (not only coca-cola itself but also Fanta, Adez, fuze tea, and sprite).

The company is one of the biggest leading plastic polluters. It is estimated that every year, it uses over 100 billion plastic. But today, this must change. Finding a green solution that could replace plastic, is today the big challenge among numerous brands. Due to the need of developing a sustainable strategy for the planet, demanded by a new responsible consumer, Coca-cola has signed an agreement with Pabocco (Paper bottle company), a danish start-up specialized in recyclable paper bottles. The purpose is to put on the market the very first bottle made of paper, fully recyclable in the paper stream, and sustainable. The experiment will start next summer, testing one of the drinks owned by the company: Adez, hoping that later it will be used for the whole line. This experimentation will take place in Hungary, where a group of 2 thousand consumers will be called to test the drink.

In 2018 coca-cola announced an ambitious project, willing to put an end to waste by 2025, introducing on market fully recyclable packaging. It’s been three years that the company has been working on sustainable ideas, which led to the partnership with Pabocco.

The idea is to create a 100% recyclable bottle, coming from sustainable sources, suitable to contain beverages, made of paper with only the cap and a thin plastic recyclable coating.

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SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY IN THE FASHION INDUSTRY

 

Sustainability is a highly topical issue today, as confirmed by the growing interest in the green fashion movement, which promotes environmentally and consumer-friendly production. 

One issue that has long been held in high regard by all manufacturing companies, especially brands, is that of sustainable chemistry.

Sustainable chemistry is an issue that cuts across all supply chains, but particularly in the textile industry where attention is still very high because there is a real possibility of finding substances in products that are dangerous to human health and the environment. 

There are many substances that need to be eliminated or replaced, and globalization has shifted important textile production quotas to non-EU countries that do not respect safety, environmental protection, and social equity rules. The production of basic chemical components is almost completely delocalized to the Far East and is therefore difficult to control and direct. In Europe, however, the control and elimination of the most dangerous chemical compounds from the market have given excellent results over the last ten years, with many companies responding to the demand to reduce their environmental footprint by analyzing garments, adopting chemical management systems, and drawing up sustainability reports.

Chemical sustainability is linked to the quality of the substances used, so the role of research and innovation is crucial in order to identify new substances that can replace the more dangerous ones. There is therefore a strong economic case for doing better.

The assessment of these factors, however, is very much linked to the geographical area of the world or the country in which the company operates. The directions are taken by Europe towards the abandonment of polluting industrial processes and the invention of new production processes with fewer emissions have not been motivated by obligations and constraints but rather by an environmental awareness guided by existing legislation.

There is a need to push for the dissemination of directives concerning the health of workers and the environment in different countries to ensure greater sustainability. In-depth knowledge of the processing stages of production chains can lead to planning, testing, and practical implementation of a greener approach to production in the world of fashion. 

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SUSTAINABLE DRINKING? YES, WITH REUSABLE STRAWS

 

The problem of plastics is an issue that is being increasingly discussed. Plastics make up 85% of marine waste and in the form of microplastics they also pollute the air and water and end up in the food we eat every day. We must try to use as little plastic as possible and above all avoid using non-recyclable items.

The topic of reusable straws is becoming increasingly popular: every day we have to dispose of large quantities of straws. The problem with straws is that they are thrown away after only five minutes of use. Also, straws are used a lot for all kinds of drinks. 

Reusable straws are a very interesting choice to replace a product that is offered every day at every meal or drink purchase. There are different types of reusable straws: the best ones are made of bamboo, steel, and silicone.

 

The most commonly proposed alternative when trying to avoid single-use plastic is bamboo, a type of 100% biodegradable wood that leaves no footprint and is not treated with dyes or chemicals during production. Bamboo is lightweight but very durable, suitable for the consumption of hot and cold drinks, beautiful to look at, and often produced in a fair trade way. This material has natural antibacterial properties: once the straw has been washed with a special brush and warm water, it will be perfectly hygienic.

 

Another material used for reusable straws is stainless steel. The life of this product is practically infinite, being made of a material that is resistant to impact, heat, and rubbing. You can wash steel straws in a dishwasher or even by boiling them. Stainless steel is a very safe material, which is odorless, does not rust, and does not affect the taste of cold or hot drinks. 

 

Finally, there are silicone straws: a perfect product for travelers. Silicone straws are lightweight, crumple up into very small spaces, and can be washed in boiling water. In addition, there is food-grade silicone, 100% safe and non-toxic, BPA-free. The straws have no smell and do not alter the taste of drinks. They are packaged in a separate capsule so they can be conveniently carried in your bag every day.

These reusable straws are great items to avoid the use of plastic and have a beautiful and environmentally friendly product.

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 How to make recycled paper

Have you ever thought of recycling paper yourself by giving new use to all the paper that accumulates at home? In this article, we will explain how to recycle paper at home. 

 

The first step is to collect all the used paper. You can use printer or photocopier sheets, newspapers, handkerchiefs and napkins (clean), wrapping paper, brown bags, notebook sheets, and even old envelopes.

You need to know that the material will shrink and contract during soaking and drying, so you need to use more waste paper than you want to make.

The second step is to tear the paper. You need to reduce the material into small pieces of equal size. The smaller the fragments, the better the result will be. 

The third thing to do is to soak the paper. It is necessary to transfer all the torn pieces to a plate or pan and fill the container with boiling water. Next, you must stir the mixture to make sure that all the paper is well soaked. Finally, it is necessary to let it rest for a few hours, stirring from time to time. 

 

To filter the paper, you need a mesh panel. You need this tool to filter the wet mush and separate the water from the paper lumps. As the mixture gradually dries on the panel, it congeals and turns into recycled paper. 

 

The last step to do is to press the paper. You need to crush the paper to remove the excess water. After an hour has passed, it is necessary to place a piece of sheet or other thin fabric over the layer of paper in the panel. Then, with the help of a dry sponge, you must press on the sheet to remove all the residual liquid. 

Next, simply lift the panel and flip it over. At this point, the paper should fall back onto the fabric. You must lay it down on a flat surface and let it dry overnight.

 

When the paper is dry you need to peel it off the sheet. You should get a dry, firm, and perfectly usable sheet of paper!

Here's how to reuse paper scraps and give them a new life. What are you waiting for to try it?

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Eco-design

Eco-design products combine aesthetic taste with environmental awareness. This trend is increasingly widespread and embraces how houses and buildings are designed and the field of furniture, favoring solutions that optimize space and take into account the context and the impact of each link in the production chain.

 

The field of sustainable design is in full evolution and goes towards innovation following precise concepts: reduction of waste, control of energy consumption and emissions, creative recycling, and reuse.

 

Talking about eco-design today means taking into account the entire life cycle of a piece of furniture: from its production to the methods of transport and distribution, to its final disposal. Considering the impact that an object will have on the environment also means keeping in mind the context in which it will be inserted and used, following the criterion of harmony in its broadest sense.

For a product to fully fall into the category of eco-design, it must have certain characteristics, starting with the materials with which it is made. The materials to be preferred are recycled, biodegradable, and reusable, but also durable and quality.

 

Another crucial aspect that allows the design to take on an increasingly important role in the transition underway to deal with the environmental crisis is its increasing accessibility. Being fully sustainable means, in fact, also being within the reach of a wide audience and not the privilege of a niche that can afford it. Only in this way can sustainable design become a lifestyle shared by all and part of a balance and circularity that leaves nothing and no one out. All this for the well-being of people and the well-being of the environment.

 

As already mentioned, a central aspect of eco-design is the materials used. They must be biodegradable, reusable, recyclable, and non-toxic. Their impact on the environment must also be as low as possible, both in terms of the production of the components and their final disposal.

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THE NEW SUSTAINABLE CONSUMER

 THE NEW SUSTAINABLE CONSUMER

Nowadays we are facing a series of problems to which we have to find urgent solutions. From plastic pollution in the ocean, global warming, to the climate crisis and deforestation; the theme of sustainability has become a trend that companies can no longer ignore.

Consumers are paying more and more attention to the issue of sustainability, and that reflects their purchasing decisions. Create and sell a good product is not enough anymore. The product also must be sustainable, and the company itself has to follow ethical rules and everything has to reflect consumer’s needs, increasingly attentive and inclined to a green lifestyle, to support the planet. 

Especially after the pandemic of COVID-19, which in one side has increased these environmental issues, many consumers have declared themselves ready to change their purchasing habits and their commitment to sustainable purchasing. 

A study by “Capgeminiresearch institute”, analyzes the impact of sustainability on consumers' purchasing decisions and their expectations from companies. This research shows that 79% of consumers are willing to change their purchasing preferences towards products and companies that follow certain criteria such as social responsibility, inclusion, and environmental business impact. The pandemic has also increased consumer awareness and commitment to more sustainable purchases: 67% of consumers said they would pay more attention to natural resource lack, while 65% said that in the future "new normal" they would be more mindful of the impact of their consumption.

More than half of the population is changing their buying habits, especially if we speak about young consumers: 57% of people aged 18-24 have started buying products from lesser-known but more sustainable brands. The 52% of respondents to the research said they have an emotional connection with products or companies they consider sustainable, while 64% said buying sustainable products makes them feel better, a percentage that increases to 72% for those between 25 and 35 years old.  

BOTTA Packaging keeps herself up with the times. Understanding the consumers’ needs and the current challenges, BOTTA Packaging offers to its clients sustainable packaging innovations that are in line with the values searched by the consumers, to protect the environment. 

👉 Click here to discover more about eco-products. 

 

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SUSTAINABLE FASHION

Fashion: it's time to change the trend!

There has been increasing talk lately about sustainable fashion. Consumers are becoming more and more aware and demanding and are no longer satisfied with clothes that are just nice to wear. In fact, they also want to know how the clothes they wear were produced and make sure that the time and place of production do not contribute to the deterioration of the planet's environment and the working conditions of the people involved in production.  Let's find out what sustainable fashion is.

What is sustainable fashion? 

Sustainable fashion is fashion that respects the environment and society at all stages: from conception through production to distribution and sale.

This fashion proposal seeks to work with less polluting raw materials, reduce waste in products such as water and electricity costs and produce durable parts, stimulating conscious consumption. Furthermore, this model proposes a more humane production, without exploitation of workers and with fairer remuneration.

In this context, Industry 4.0 can bring numerous advantages to the fashion sector, thanks to new technologies and new production processes, less polluting and more durable materials can be created. Production processes can be more efficient, reducing the use of raw materials, thus reducing not only costs but also the environmental impact.

The advantages: 

The first advantage is the less environmental impact. The environment is the basis for the well-being of the world's population. If our planet overheats, if its air becomes increasingly polluted and its water contaminated, the lives of many people are compromised. In some areas of the planet, where the production of clothing is not regulated by specific environmental protection standards or where these standards are more easily broken, the health of many people has already been compromised.

The second benefit is the improvement of the conditions of the workers involved in the life cycle of a fashion product. In particular, production very often takes place in countries where minimum wages or acceptable working conditions are not guaranteed, and exploitation and abuses of various kinds occur.

Thirdly, the development of sustainable fashion can drive and contribute to the emergence of new technologies and processes, strengthening a growing sector and generating new opportunities for social and economic growth.

What can fashion brands do to become sustainable?

Sustainable fashion is therefore the future: not only to have a lower environmental impact and to safeguard the planet but also to protect workers and contribute to the creation of new technologies. 

Is it possible to consider a fashion brand sustainable even if it uses non-sustainable packaging? No! So click here to discover how to be a sustainable fashion brand starting from the packaging!

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THE IMPORTANCE OF SUSTAINABLE PACKAGING FOR ITALIANS

 

In recent years, Italians have become increasingly interested in the theme of environmental protection. Consumers recognize the responsibility of the role they play and are increasingly adapting to a green lifestyle and habits. 

Data confirm the "sustainability trend"

A research carried out by Nomisma in collaboration with the SpinLife-University of Padua shows how 33% of the population gives even more centrality to environmental sustainability following the health emergency. Consumption has also been affected: research shows how 75% of consumers prefer to buy from producers who choose raw materials of natural origin and sustainable packaging.

 In the specific case of the agro-food sector, research shows that 32% of the population defines the sustainability of the product based on the characteristics of the packaging. 

Main features to drive consumers' choice: 

•  The absence of overpackaging (55%);

•   Recyclability (43%);

•  The presence of raw materials from renewable sources or with reduced CO2 emissions (43%);

•  The presence of compostable or biodegradable material (41%);

•  The complete absence of plastic (32%).

The characteristics that packaging absolutely must-have for it to positively influence the consumer's purchasing process are:

 This new trend also concerns items sold in online shops, where there are often entire sections dedicated to the choice of packaging for shipping. Consumers are quickly getting used to and appreciating this new sensitivity, to the point of being willing to change their established purchasing habits.

Companies, to face this great change, can only adapt. Consumers are becoming increasingly attentive and the number of players on the market is growing all the time. What makes the difference is what revolves around the product, starting with the packaging, the first point of physical contact that the end consumer has with the product he is buying. The presence in the packaging of features that are not in line with the message that the company is trying to build could frustrate the efforts made on other fronts. It is, therefore, necessary to align with change, giving consumers what they want. Doing so will not only increase growth but first and foremost respect the environment for a greener world. 

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