CO2 Reduction

According to NASA, "Carbon dioxide (CO2) is an important heat-trapping (greenhouse) gas, which is released through human activities such as deforestation and burning fossil fuels, as well as natural processes such as respiration and volcanic eruptions". 

 

Source: https://unsplash.com/photos/3ioqs19Wa2A

 

National Geographic states that the release of the gases is at an all-time high. It can be noted that most of the sectors of the global economy, from manufacturing to the final consumer, contributes to the emission of this greenhouse gas. This is causing more harm than good as it is causing changes to the climate. Temperatures will continue to rise, as will the impact of acid rain, which continues to be high, causing damage to plant life. They both have immediate and long-term consequences for the ecosystem. As a result of its ability to displace oxygen from the atmosphere, it can cause difficulty breathing, excessive sweating, increased heart rate, and convulsions in humans, among other things. What can be done to alleviate the severity of the situation is the question.

Since the underlying causes for the emission of this gas are by human activities, humans can help reduce the impact of CO2. Reducing our home energy carbon emission can include making an effort to use fewer appliances, using recyclable products and packaging, using other alternative options like driving fewer carbon emission cars, or a combination of these ideas.

Businesses can help increase environmental awareness among their employees and stakeholders by making environmentally conscious purchasing decisions, implementing sustainable business practices, and promoting greener work methods.

Source:  Life cycle assessment from Botta Packaging

An additional way in which the government can also help is by investing and backing companies whose primary mission is to cut carbon dioxide and other harmful gases from the atmosphere. The Environmental Protection Agencies should keep educating the general public on the hazards posed by the gases and also continue to push for environmental programs that help reduce the pollution on the planet.

 

Sources

External links

https://climate.nasa.gov/vital-signs/carbon-dioxide/

https://sciencing.com/effect-human-activities-environment-11374.html

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/greenhouse-gases

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CORRUGATED BOARD

Corrugated board is a material mainly used in the packaging industry.

In its simplest form it consists of two flat paper surfaces, called "covers", which enclose a corrugated paper, all tied together with the use of natural adhesives. It is this combined action of flat covers with the internal wave that gives rigidity and resistance to the whole and determines its effectiveness in the packaging and transport of goods.

Corrugated board protects and preserves products. Each product requires its own packaging. The right balance must be sought between the material used and the protection of the product.

Consideration shall be given to the unit of packaging, the weight of the contents, the manner in which the product is placed inside, whether it has a primary packaging and the consistency thereof.

To decide the types of paper to be used, you need to know how the product is introduced into the carton (manually or mechanically), if the product is carrying, and know its weight. And again, evaluate how it is stacked in the warehouse, at what height, how long it lasts in the warehouse, how it is shipped and at what distance, if you expect environmental hydrometric variations.

Source: Corrugated paper-padded envelopes from Botta Packaging

In its simplest structure, it consists of two paper surfaces (covers) enclosing a corrugated paper (wave).

The waves can be from one to three, depending on the use. These latter types are used to contain very heavy bulk products.

The various elements are coupled together by means of a glue of vegetable origin. Cover papers and wave papers are distinguished. The cards can be different depending on the required performance.

At box packaging you can find different types of corrugated cardboard packaging, and you can adapt them to the needs of our customer.

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 Paper and cardboard against food waste

11% less food waste on a national scale, this is the figure that returns the report Waste Watchers 2021 on the occasion of the eighth day against food waste, demonstrating how during the pandemic Italians have developed effective strategies againstwaste based on more prudent expenses and more conscious choices, such as those of favouring efficient and sustainable packaging.

Paper is a natural, biodegradable and recyclable material that is also suitable for use in the food packaging sector. Paper and cardboard are, moreover, a constant subject of research and innovation, with a view to combining more and more performance, safety and sustainability: as illustrated by a study recently carried out by Comieco and the Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna in Pisa, innovative materials such as nanocellulose already offer today guarantees of perfect conservation, high degree of recyclability and great application possibilities, opening new scenarios for the development of food packaging in an increasingly sustainable and circular perspective.

"According to the research we conducted with Sant'Anna, 81% of Italian consumers are willing to pay more for a product if it is packaged in sustainable packaging, compared to a European average of 77% and, always the same research, identifies how the use of recycled materials and its final recyclability is the main feature of a sustainable packaging" says Carlo Montalbetti, General Manager of Comieco. "Comieco, together with the packaging supply chain, has long been committed to promoting solutions that meet the new needs of consumers that also affect the strategic decisions of companies".

An increasingly topical issue considering the development of food delivery that this year has accelerated processes already evolving, in relation to the design and innovation of cellulose-based packaging.

Source: Eco-sleeve from Botta Packaging

From doggy bags, to pizza cartons and food bags, paper and cardboard stand firmly at the forefront of consumer preferences. When asked about the types of packaging, 72% of European consumers say they absolutely prefer paper and cardboard for their sustainability and ease of recycling (Two Sides: packaging in the eyes of the European consumer, 2020).

Reference
https://www.comieco.org/carta-e-cartone-i-primi-alleati-nella-lotta-contro-lo-spreco-alimentare/ 

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RECYCLABILITY

Recyclability is the first requirement for sustainable packaging.

A packaging is recyclable when it can be processed effectively and efficiently to allow the reuse of its cellulosic fibres through the most widely used paper production technologies.

The recyclability of a predominantly cellulosic packaging is not a foregone conclusion, for example, it must be tested, even in single-material solutions, that the glues and inks used are not an obstacle to the recycling process. In the same way, and all the more so, recyclability must be tested in the case of packaging which combines with other materials.

The growing interest of the consumer for the issues of sustainability of packaging pushes companies to a deepening on the recyclability of materials that therefore must be measured analytically through laboratory tests. Assessing the composition of packaging and its components and constituents is fundamental to designing and creating a packaging that is truly eco-sustainable and circular.

Source: Botta Packaging

The paper industry has identified methods of analysis for the determination of recyclability, the result of which allows producers and users of predominantly cellulosic materials or products to communicate to their customers the level of recyclability of materials or products, enhancing the characteristics of eco-sustainability.

The Aticelca 501/19 system is a voluntary evaluation method, carried out by Aticelca with the contribution of Assocarta, Assografici and Comieco and the technical support of Innovhub and Lucense, able to determine the level of recyclability of predominantly cellulosic materials and products (paper and cardboard), based on a laboratory analysis developed since 2011 and became standard UNI 11743:2019 in April 2019.

Reference

https://www.comieco.org/innovazione/  

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Campaign "Zero Waste"

CONAI supports the initiatives of the public campaign to prevent food waste "Waste zero", organized by the Waste Watcher Institute - International observatory on food and sustainability, for a common reflection on the quantities of food not consumed, which is thrown into the trash every day and raising awareness of good practices that can be adopted.

Sustainability and eco-design are increasingly the focus of research and debate for the new characteristics required for packaging: from the reduction of raw materials used to the opportunity to use recycled material, up to a design that ensures recyclability or composability.

The European legislation of the last two years encourages the sustainable development of packaging and companies, in turn, are moving towards increasingly innovative and efficient solutions, compatible with the key role of packaging. The pack must protect, keep the product during transport and encourage its optimal storage, but as soon as it is placed on the shelf it undoubtedly affects the choice of purchase and the perception of the brand by the consumer.

Source: Botta Packaging

But what affects the decision to buy a product, at first glance? The impact on the quality and safety of the product, from the origin of the raw materials to its origin is decisive for 9 out of 10 Italians (89%), and so the guarantees provided between certification and traceability (88%).

Packaging and its environmental characteristics are also factors affecting consumer purchasing choices (73% of respondents). The reason is probably to be found in the dynamics of the relationship between product and 'sustainability in the perception of consumers. The product is sustainable, first of all, if its packaging is recyclable (for 71% of respondents) or if it is made of recycled material (69%). What if a pack is not recyclable? 1 Italian out of 4 (25%) buys it the same; 47% buys it but not willingly; 22% changes its mind and focuses on a product with the recycled or recyclable packaging, 5% - 1 Italian out of 20 - in addition to not buying it also advises against the use in the circle of friends and family.

https://www.conai.org/notizie/campagna-spreco-zero/ 

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 The Open Recycling initiative

What happens after the dumpster? Who runs the recycling cycle? And what role do we all play?

The Open Recycling initiative was created to answer these questions.

Recycle Covered is in fact the annual event promoted by Comieco that since 2001 opens the doors of the plants of the paper and cardboard recycling chain to schools, citizens, institutions, media and all those who are interested in understanding, live watching the various stages of the industrial process, what happens to paper and cardboard once delivered in the appropriate containers.

Since 2001 Ricicloaperto shows the reality of paper and cardboard recycling by showing up the most important and less known aspects of the recycling cycle. A reality made up of paper, paper and recycling plants that every day work synergistically to give new life to paper, cardboard and cardboard that we have differentiated.

Source: Botta Packaging

The aim of this project is to educate the youngest - and not only - to a conscious use of resources, to discover the industrial value of paper and cardboard recycling, the professionalism and technologies of the sector, to reassure citizens about the usefulness of their daily commitment to separate collection.

The open doors of the paper and cardboard recycling chain that has already involved over 240,000 people: every year, on the occasion of the opening to the public of the facilities, we welcomed over 15,000 visitors.

Since 2021, thanks to the acceleration of technologies, Recyclableto also switch to digital: ready to bring the cycle of paper and cardboard recycling directly in schools, homes and companies.

Reference:

https://www.comieco.org/comunicazione-ed-eventi/eventi/ricicloaperto 

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STANDARD ON THE SEPARABILITY OF NON-PAPER COMPONENTS OF PAPER PACKAGING

The modern consumer is not only interested in packaging from an aesthetic point of view, but also that it is easily identifiable and recyclable.

This preference is noted by a Doxa study for Aticelca which shows that citizens/consumers are increasingly careful in making separate collection and willing to separate the different components of complex packaging, if they are put in the conditions to do so.

From the study, which was conducted in early 2021, on 1,000 Italian individuals between 18 and 85 years of age it emerged that when you throw a packaging made of different materials 95% is willing to separate and only 5% is not. Among those that separate 59% always separates the components of different materials. While 17% separates them, only if it can do it with the hands and 6% only if it is indicated in the package and 7% if it has the containers suitable for recycling. Finally, 6% separates the components only if they must be removed at the time of opening.

Citizens are therefore ready to play their part and expect packaging that is easy to break down.

Source:  Life cycle assessment from Botta Packaging

A working group was then set up to define a new Aticelca recycling standard which aims to define a method to measure the separability of non-paper components in paper packaging (such as handles and plastic windows).

The new standard therefore aims to improve the separate collection of paper packaging and thus further increase the recycling rate, to date, by 81%, facilitating the separation of paper from non-recyclable elements.

Further efforts in the quality of separate collection in our homes would therefore contribute to the achievement of the European recycling target of 85% by 2035, as defined by the EU.

Reference

https://www.comieco.org/consumatori-protagonisti-riciclo-qualita-separabilita/

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