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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STARTING OVER FROM OCEANS

Foto di Pixabay 

Seas and oceans are two fundamental factors for our life on earth: they cover about ¾ of earth’s surface, absorbing about 30% of carbon dioxide and producing 50% of oxygen. This makes them a primary source of life here on our planet.

However nowadays oceans are in great danger: due to pollution and climate change, the temperature has risen to a new record level, glaciers are melting, and water level is rising (+15 cm during this century). These consequences are likely to last for many years. Even if we try to take an action now, to make up for our mistakes, our oceans will need time to recover.

Specifically, there's a part of oceans, that is called “underwater grasslands,  i.e. huge expansions of marine flora located on the seabed. They are mainly responsible for absorbing CO2 (about twice as much CO2 absorbed by forests of the same size). They are also responsible for the acidification of water, they create a natural habitat for fishes and it is believed they also help to limit the damage caused by microplastic. Despite their crucial role in this play, pollution and invasive bait are creating some serious damage: an area of these grasslands as large as a football pitch is disappearing every half an hour according to UNEP, the united nations environmental program.

Preserving marine waters and life below water is a challenge that the UN itself set as one of the goals of the 2030 agenda: goal 14, “conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development”. 

Nowadays, about 10% of the oceans are protected: the UN's purpose is to protect the biodiversity of 30% of the oceans by 2030 through the so-called 30x30 initiative, launched by Great Britain and joined by Italy in June 2020. What is its aim? To protect the health of seas, biodiversity, and fight climate change.

Sources

https://www.onuitalia.it/sdg/14-la-vita-sottacqua/#:~:text=Essi%20fungono%20da%20sistema%20respiratorio,assorbendo%20anidride%20carbonica%20e%20scorie.&text=Gli%20oceani%20regolano%20il%20clima,benessere%20economico%20nazionale%20e%20globale.

https://www.rinnovabili.it/agrifood/food-waste-index-report-2021-pianificare-strategie-antispreco/

https://www.lifegate.it/praterie-sottomarine-greenpeace

https://www.rinnovabili.it/ambiente/acqua/tutela-degli-oceani-biodiversita-cop15/

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DESIGN AND PACKAGING

Packaging, the packaging or packaging of a product, is a key element in a marketing strategy, particularly when it comes to food packaging. The external aspect of a product is a bit the business card of the manufacturer, as well as a factor on which the customer is based when he chooses to buy it; that’s why packaging design plays a fundamental role, both for brand identity and, because of the attractiveness of the product itself.

In the world of marketing, there is real psychology behind these concepts, fundamental aspects to truly understand what is the packaging: just as it happens for advertising, the external and also the aesthetic aspect of a product contributes to attracting the attention of potential customers. Several industry studies explain how the idea of buying and the need for a product and the desire to own it is born in the minds of consumers long before they enter a store.

Our brain unwittingly receives messages from advertisements as well as from the packaging itself, information that stores even if initially, that product seems not to interest us. These messages activate all five senses and it is precisely through the perceptions received that we are then induced to buy one product rather than another.

Botta packaging, for this reason, offers a service specifically dedicated to the design and graphics of the packaging, according to specific needs.

2 types of packages: regular package; premium package.

On our official website you can, in the services section, have all the specific information.

Source: Packaging design from Botta Packaging

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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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