How paper and cardboard fight food waste

Food packaging was created with the aim of keeping the product as long as possible and in the best conditions. This is to preserve its quality and properties and the health of consumers. Food packaging does not have a purely functional purpose but is fully part of a company's communication strategy. How? Let's see together how to conquer end customers through the right food packaging. How to choose the most suitable packaging for your business? The starting point is to make sure that the entire food packaging production process takes place in full compliance with the regulations in force (regulation (EC) No. 1935/2004) which have the aim of guaranteeing maximum safety and traceability of the product at Community level. We can thus summarize the 3 fundamental principles: Do not endanger human health: materials must not release components into food. The materials must not be subject to modification or decomposition, so as not to alter the smell and taste of the foods contained. Presence of documentation to demonstrate compliance of regulations such as traceability. Once we have ascertained that everything falls within the rules, we can identify the fundamental characteristics for a winning packaging. What do you want to communicate with your food packaging? It is not a simple food packaging tool, as packaging is fully part of the company's marketing strategy. The first step is therefore to understand what and how to communicate the concept of your business to end customers, both before and after the purchase phase. Who is your target? The value that makes the difference: knowing the target. Who are your company's customers? Who is food packaging intended for? Here are some examples. Age: are they children, millennials or adults? Habits: do they go to your shop for lunch or carry it to the office? In both cases it is important to create an easy-to-use and recycled packaging. Choice of materials The choice of material, as well as the colors and shapes must be carefully selected so that the packaging can best describe your business. The cardinal principles of the choice must always be oriented between aesthetics and functionality. Both characteristics are fundamental to fully satisfy the needs and experience of the consumer. What are the characteristics of a winning food packaging? Being in step with the times and knowing the trends of the moment allows you to always be on the crest of the wave. What are the characteristics that make packaging attractive and functional? Ease to use: opening, usability and disposal of the package must be intuitive and easy to use. Customization: a package must capture the attention of the target and at the same time convey a sense of safety and reliability of the product. Transparency and origin: it is essential to report on the packaging everything that has to do with the origin of the food: nutritional values, packaging details and organoleptic characteristics. Sustainability: green packaging is nowadays increasingly widespread and requested by companies in the food sector and beyond. Preferring the most environmentally friendly and therefore less polluting materials such as corrugated cardboard, in addition to representing an ethical choice, will soon become a real regulation, especially in the case of disposable objects intended for the consumption of food outside your home. Personalized food packaging: professional advice If you need advice on the design and distribution of your food packaging, Cart-One has an R&D Office thanks to which it proposes innovative and eco-sustainable packaging design solutions and real proposals for product improvement and cost reduction. For more information, do not hesitate to contact our customer service: fill out the contact form and send your request. You will receive an answer as soon as possible.

More and more companies and users worldwide are using e-commerce for their purchases. For this reason, packaging represents one of the best brand promotion systems, offering endless communication possibilities and opportunities, creating a unique experience for the customer. Packaging in e-commerce strategy: the new frontiers. Packaging has always been a fundamental aspect of the sales process, but with the rise of e-commerce, it has become even more relevant. Read also: “Paper packaging in the digital era and the circular economy” The importance of e-commerce in recent years In recent years, packaging has undergone a significant evolution. It is no longer just a box to protect the product, but a key element in the sales strategy. E-commerce, in this regard, represents an ideal opportunity to communicate a specific message. Packaging, in fact, represents a crucial physical contact with the customer during the buying process, an opportunity to consolidate brand perception and stand out from the competition with personality and eco-sustainability. Consequently, packaging must succeed in transmitting brand values and recreating the shopping experience, ensuring the same level of satisfaction as packaging provided in-store. And regarding the environmental aspect, according to the E-commerce packaging survey, 60% of consumers believe it is important or very important for a retailer's packaging to be “sustainable.” The ecological factor can therefore be considered an incentive for some consumers to make a purchase from one retailer over a competitor. For brands, this means focusing on a more conscious approach, reducing the use of plastic and using only paper-based materials, making packaging increasingly minimalist. Sectors and packaging trends to watch The future of packaging must take into account new habits, such as the trend toward leading an on-the-go lifestyle. This makes it necessary to activate new pick-up methods like lockers or collection points, and to prioritize on-the-go packaging and formats. Companies will need to commit to choosing materials characterized by visual elements that make the package unique, while simultaneously optimizing stock management and procurement, which must always be fast and available. Among the sectors evolving the most in terms of packaging customization, we find: Home decor and interior design: accessories for private and commercial homes, comfort objects, and other interior design elements; Technology: increasingly requested objects, not only in the B2C branch but also in the B2B one; Kitchen: such as utensils for catering activities, as well as for private individuals, with work tools and household appliances; Sport: for those training at home, there are gym equipment for indoor use or for outdoor activities such as trekking and hiking. Let's look at the key trends to keep an eye on: Packaging customization Custom packaging not only makes the product more attractive but also more memorable. Furthermore, packaging customization can be used to strengthen the brand and create a unique buying experience. Specifically, we talk about: Packaging with the customer's name: a unique purchasing experience that also makes the customer feel special and important; Packaging with personalized messages: perhaps including a custom note in the package shipped to the customer. The note can contain a thank-you message, pairing suggestions, or other relevant information; Packaging with custom design: it not only makes the product more attractive but also strengthens the brand image; Packaging with customization options: offering customers the possibility to choose the color of the packaging. Eco-sustainable packaging Sustainability is an increasingly important issue for consumers, and it is becoming a crucial aspect of packaging as well. Adopting eco-sustainable materials is a way to demonstrate the company's commitment to the environment and to meet consumer needs. Choosing eco-friendly materials can also help reduce production costs and improve brand image. E-commerce businesses can use a variety of green materials, including recycled paper, cardboard, biomaterials, and bioplastics; biodegradable or recyclable materials that reduce the environmental impact of packaging. In addition to eco-friendly materials, other sustainable packaging techniques exist, such as reducing packaging dimensions to cut material waste and using optimized wrapping methods to minimize empty spaces and use less material. E-commerce companies can choose suppliers that adopt sustainable production practices and use renewable energy to power their factories. In this way, e-commerce businesses can reduce the environmental impact of the entire production chain, not just the packaging. "Unboxing" packaging Unboxing has become a true phenomenon in e-commerce. It is the moment when the consumer opens the package and discovers the product. "Unboxing" packaging is designed to create a memorable opening experience and focuses on product presentation, making it visually appealing and engaging for the customer. This can be achieved through the use of bright colors, unique shapes, and high-quality finishes, such as gold foil or glossy varnish. Furthermore, premium materials like thick paper or fabrics can be used to create packaging that looks and feels luxurious. It can include elements like custom pouches, colorful labels and stickers, and innovative filling materials like air bubbles or colored wrapping paper. Another important aspect of "unboxing" packaging is attention to detail, with custom stickers, colored ribbons, and handwritten thank-you notes to create a more personal buying experience for the customer. In this way, the customer will feel part of a community and feel closer to the brand. "Unboxing" packaging can be effectively used to increase customer loyalty and improve the buying experience to make it unforgettable, making them feel truly valued and important to the brand. Additionally, it can be used as a viral marketing tool, as happy customers often share photos and videos of their unboxing on social media, thereby increasing brand visibility. Interactive packaging This type of packaging uses technologies like augmented reality or virtual reality to engage the consumer. For example, the consumer can scan a QR code on the package to access special content such as videos, games, or discounts. Interactive packaging can also include elements like board games, puzzles, or other activities that engage the consumer. For instance, augmented reality can be used to create a digital version of the product inside the packaging, allowing the customer to explore the product interactively before opening it. Furthermore, sensors can be used to create packaging that lights up or emits sounds when opened, creating a multisensory purchasing experience. In this way, packaging becomes an integral part of the marketing strategy, as it can be used to create a unique and engaging buying experience for the customer. Interactive packaging can also improve product security, for example, by using sensors or QR codes to verify product authenticity and reassure customers that the purchased item is genuine. Luxury packaging While luxury packaging was once reserved for high-end products, today many e-commerce companies use this type of packaging to create an exclusive buying experience; it can include elements like rigid boxes, premium materials, special finishes, and customized accessories. Luxury packaging, in fact, uses premium materials and high-quality finishes to create a luxurious and refined purchasing experience. It is often used for high-end products, such as jewelry, perfumes, cosmetics, and clothing, and focuses on the use of premium materials like thick paper, fabrics, leather, precious metals, glossy varnish, gold, or silver to create an effect of luxury and sophistication. Luxury packaging can also be used as a marketing tool to create a high-end brand image, conveying the idea that the purchased product is of superior quality compared to the competition. Furthermore, luxury packaging can be used as a customer retention tool, as customers often keep luxury packaging as a valuable item. Packaging has therefore become an essential component of companies' e-commerce strategy. It not only creates a strong emotional bond between the consumer and the brand but can also improve customer loyalty and increase repeat sales opportunities. All of this requires an investment of time and money, but the results can amply repay the financial effort made. See also: “Packaging trends: all the latest innovations in wrapping”

What is meant by environmental labeling in packaging? What content needs to be included on the labels and how should packaging be separated during collection to encourage recycling and enable environmental sustainability?   Environmental labeling in packaging: what the Italian regulations state. After a series of postponements, from January 1st, 2023, environmental labeling is finally welcomed, which will allow specific information on packaging composition to be obtained, and more. This requirement will be a fundamental tool to enable good practices regarding waste sorting, recovery, and packaging recycling.   You might also be interested in: “CONAI environmental contribution: what's new for 2022”   What environmental labeling is Environmental sustainability is among the essential factors to guarantee the protection of the environment, but also for consumers' knowledge regarding the correct disposal of packaging. This is a highly relevant topic given the recent regulatory updates that introduced mandatory environmental labeling on packaging. Based on an analysis conducted by the Immagino Observatory of GS1 Italy, it emerges that only 25.4% of food products in mass distribution carry the necessary information on how to properly dispose of the packaging on their label. For this reason, modern packaging must take a step forward in favor of the environment: environmental labeling will become mandatory in Italy from January 1st, 2023, precisely with the aim of properly communicating to consumers what material the package preserving the product is made of, and how to dispose of it after use, to facilitate the different recycling stages. Environmental labeling will therefore respond to a legal obligation, yes, but it will help the environment and people to gain a deeper understanding of the materials they buy and consume daily. A deeper awareness, therefore, as well as greater ease when shopping. To get specific, environmental labeling indicates in detail the information necessary to facilitate waste sorting activities and the recovery of packaging released for consumption. It should be emphasized that environmental packaging labeling has already existed since 1997, when the European Commission established the first material coding system used to produce packaging. Until today, it could be used on a voluntary basis, whereas starting from January 1st, 2023, and after a series of delays, labeling will instead become mandatory under Legislative Decree 116 of 2020, with the goal of fostering a new culture of production and distribution.   Details of the regulation Environmental labeling in Italy must comply with the methods established by the UNI (Italian National Unification Body) standards which, through rules and technical specifications, provides operators with applicable guidelines in line with European Union decisions regarding the Packaging Directive 94/62/EC. Based on these provisions, packaging must: provide clear indications on the nature of the materials used in their production, specifying whether they are compostable or biodegradable; have an adequate marking placed on the packaging itself or on the label, which must be clearly visible, easy to read, and legible even after the packaging is opened.   Going into further detail, let us also understand what information to include: type of packaging: with a written description in full or with a graphic representation (for example bottle, tray, label, can); recycling code: identifying the material used (with an alphanumeric code in accordance with Decision 97/129/EC), optionally integrated with the icon provided under UNI EN ISO 1043-1:2002 (plastic packaging) or CEN/CR 14311:2002 (steel, aluminum, and plastic packaging); reference material family and collection instructions: to specify the family of the reference material and indications on the type of collection, for example unsorted or sorted waste (specific to the material used). Furthermore, environmental labeling can be applied: on individual components that can be separated manually (caps, ribbons, film); or on the main body of the packaging (bottle, box, tray); or on the component that already carries the label, making the information more legible.   Environmental labeling is mandatory for producers defined by art. 218, letter r of Legislative Decree 152/2006, specifying all the involved operators, namely: packaging material suppliers; manufacturers; converters; importers of empty packaging and packaging material.   Checks and penalties To ensure proper compliance of environmental labels, necessary checks will be carried out by the Provinces and the bodies responsible for eventual enforcement action. From a legal standpoint, reference is made to the Environmental Code, art. 262, paragraph 1. There will be two methods of verification: by random sampling; upon eventual report by a consumer or another party.   According to art. 219, paragraph 5, Legislative Decree 152/2006, if an administrative offense occurs, the consumer or other interested party has the right to report the missing or incorrect mandatory environmental labeling to the competent authority. In the event of a proven violation, as provided by art. 11 of Law 689/1981, the Province will apply the penalty regime. If non-compliant environmental labels are used, there can be a fine ranging from 5,200 to 40.000 euros. However, penalties can be applied to both the packaging material producer, as well as to merchants and distributors. In addition, the penalty will not be applied cumulatively to each individual packaging with non-compliant environmental labeling, but according to the severity of the offense.   Read also: “Paper Recycling: guidelines for facilitating packaging recycling”   Cart-One has always stood out for the production of sustainable packaging. Contact us for more information on our proposals for creating personalized, high-quality packaging.