BBP Italy: BBP and Cart-One – a Successful Cooperation

The “Guidelines for facilitating the recycling of paper packaging” is a document created thanks to the collaboration between the research group of the Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering “Giulio Natta” of the Politecnico di Milano and the professionals of COMIECO. The content offers a complete overview of the specifics of paper packaging and the different types of materials that make up the packaging, and it is part of the Pensare Futuro project which includes a series of initiatives on the prevention of the environmental impact of packaging developed by CONAI. Click the link to read the entire document: Paper Packaging Recycling Guidelines Paper packaging classification and functionality Packaging has always responded to the human need to transport and preserve goods to keep them for as long as possible. If in ancient times we moved from the simple leaf to other materials such as wood, glass, fabrics, ceramics, and paper, the history of packaging as we know it today began in the second half of the 19th century with progressive industrialization, also assuming a value linked to corporate branding. Over time, this need has grown stronger. Today, the perspective of environmental protection requires us to transform packaging with a view to eco-sustainability. According to Legislative Decree 152/06, Art. 218, packaging is defined as “the product, composed of materials of any nature, used to contain specific goods, from raw materials to finished products, to protect them, to allow their handling and their delivery from the producer to the consumer or user, to ensure their presentation, as well as disposable items used for the same purpose”. Packaging must therefore perform four functions: Containment of the product to be used by the consumer; Protection of the content from external factors to keep its quality intact over space and time; Handling of goods among the various users that make up the distribution network (from manufacturer to consumer); Presentation of the good to the consumer, thus fulfilling a communicative function thanks to the transfer of information from the producer to the user. Classification of packaging While until recently packaging was mainly focused on the function of protecting contents from external contamination, currently the use of functional materials and new technologies has allowed the generation of a new category of packaging defined as smart packaging: these are packs that, thanks to the integration of digitally printed electronics, acquire functionalities that go far beyond the simple containment of a product. We distinguish and classify in detail the existing types of packaging: 1. Sales packaging or primary packaging: packaging in contact with the product that constitutes a sales unit for the user/consumer (e.g., shoe box, egg carton, bread bag, and fruit juice bricks) 2. Grouped packaging or secondary packaging: packaging designed to group a certain number of sales units (e.g., boxes used for e-commerce, supermarket displays, and shopping bags) 3. Transport packaging or tertiary packaging: packaging designed to facilitate the handling and transport of goods and aimed at minimizing transport-related damage. Depending on their composition, packaging can be: Monomaterial: consisting of a single material; Multimaterial: consisting of components made of different materials that can be separated manually; Composite (also called laminated or multi-layer): composed of two or more materials that cannot be separated manually. The Directive Directive 94/62/EC recognizes the fundamental social and economic function of packaging. Specifically, Directive 94/62/EC asserts that packaging must be designed to allow the recycling of at least a certain percentage of the materials used in compliance with the regulations in force within the European Community. The parameters tested concern all stages of the packaging's life according to logics belonging to the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). Recyclable materials in a percentage higher than 60% should be preferred, limiting lamination with other materials. The packaging must also offer the possibility of completely minimizing the risk of product residues inside the container, to prevent the residue, for example food, from contaminating the recyclable waste. It must not be forgotten, for example, that paper and cardboard, although characterized by numerous advantages such as breathability, flexibility, and lightness of the final product, are at the same time materials susceptible to humidity and water, not suitable for packaging greasy products unless laminated with barrier materials. With equal performance, it is therefore appropriate to opt for cellulose monomaterial packaging, so as to minimize components of different materials. If, however, it is impossible to avoid adopting the latter solution, it is necessary for such packaging to be easily separable by the end user. Design for recycling: how should packaging be designed? To talk about design for recycling, it is important for the designer to know and take into account the different processes that make up the end-of-life of packaging, in order to be able to design alternative solutions aimed at optimizing the recycling of paper and cardboard packaging products. The packaging must, for example, be made with inks that are easily washable during the recovery phase. For example, UV inks are not easily removable and their use can compromise the purity of a batch sent for recycling. To obtain recyclable packaging, it is also advisable to limit the use of PVC adhesive tapes or fixing staples, which are difficult for the end consumer to remove and would simultaneously create a residue within the processing of the product to be recycled. CART-ONE has always been at the forefront of implementing corrugated cardboard production strategies for the creation of sustainable packaging. Contact us for more information on our proposals for creating high-quality customized packaging.

In November 2021, the first Innovation Academy took place at the HB Fuller headquarters in Lüneburg, Northern Germany. This was the first co-design working session featuring the participation of the Blue Box Partners BoardOfInnovation Team (VPK, Klingele, Hinojosa, and Cart-One) alongside HBFuller. This initial meeting is the result of a fruitful collaboration between DaphneVogelgesangDeledicq (Chief Innovation Officer - Blue Box Partners) and ElizabethStaab (Rigid Packaging Sustainability Manager - HB Fuller), which began during the "Global Packaging Innovation Forum" event organized by PackagingEurope in early 2021. Daphné and Elisabeth share the same Vision: “When developing new sustainable packaging solutions, collaboration is the only way to success." (Elizabeth Staab) “The goal is to provide our experience and expertise to deliver a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) - enabling customers to accelerate the packaging development process and move to the sampling stage.”(Daphné Deledicq) Discover the history of the event, business cases, and results achieved in the Podcast by PackagingEurope. If you are looking for an innovative and challenging packaging solution: contact us

How to reduce cardboard box costs for the new year. If your business regularly uses cardboard boxes to pack and ship products, you might have noticed that the costs associated with this material have increased over time. But fear not, in this article we will present some effective strategies to reduce cardboard box costs and optimize your packaging process. Read also: “Product packaging and labeling: a beginner's guide” Evaluate your packaging needs Ask yourself if you are using the most suitable size and type of boxes for your products. Often, companies end up using larger boxes than necessary, which leads to higher shipping rates and an increased amount of material used. Take an inventory of your products and find out if you can use different box dimensions to reduce waste and optimize space in your warehouse. Buy boxes in bulk quantities Many companies offer significant discounts for wholesale orders, so consider purchasing boxes in larger quantities than your immediate needs require. Furthermore, look for suppliers that provide regular supply programs, allowing you to plan orders in advance and secure more favorable pricing. Examine alternative materials For instance, some businesses are adopting recycled cardboard boxes or boxes made from biodegradable materials. These materials can be more cost-effective and help improve your corporate brand image regarding sustainability. However, make sure to maintain the quality and sturdiness of the boxes, since protecting your products during transit remains a top priority. Implement an internal recycling system Collect used cardboard boxes and, whenever possible, recycle them to create new boxes or other materials. This approach can help reduce the costs of purchasing new boxes and demonstrate your commitment to environmental sustainability. Review your packaging process Finally, carefully examine your packaging process. You might discover that certain inefficiencies are contributing to your overall cardboard box costs. For example, you could optimize the packing layout to reduce material waste or improve overall throughput. Investing time and energy into these areas can lead to significant savings and boost your overall operational efficiency. Don't wait, start implementing these strategies today and watch your costs go down while your business grows. Choose high-quality Cart-One products for your packaging. Contact us for further information, we are completely at your disposal. See also: “Reducing the environmental impact of packaging: what Europe mandates”