How to increase the circular economy and in the recycling sector

Consumers' purchasing choices increasingly seem to be influenced by packaging, especially when it comes to products with sustainable packaging. The confirmation comes from the research conducted by Nomisma, entitled “Packaging speaks green”. It has been dedicated a forum and its results. Consumer awareness and the sensitivity for green issues are nowadays a fact that must be taken into account if you want to give your products a superior appeal. Can the perception of sustainability affect purchases? Efforts towards a sustainability policy must be evident for the consumer: according to research, in fact, only 4% of users believe that companies make targeted choices in this sense, and the percentage drops by one point when it comes to industrial processes. The situation in Italy shows a considerable delay on the part of companies in taking concrete actions aimed at sustainability and the creation of ecological packaging, an element that falls within the category of activities that should be consolidated and be part of the best practices adopted from any entrepreneurial reality. 46% of Italians make their choice fall on products with recyclable packaging and with a low environmental impact. This behavior mainly affects personal and household products. The sustainable cosmetics and packaging sector The cosmetics sector seems to be particularly involved in this revolution, made by consumers who require products with the lowest possible environmental impact, but also biodegradable, recyclable or compostable green packaging. As is well known, the design pertaining to the beauty sphere has always also focused on packaging to increase the appeal of the product. From the color to the silhouette of the package, the packaging becomes a real trademark, the vehicle through which the product can be recognized at first sight without having to read its name. As we have seen, the new habits and needs of consumers are also changing the Beauty sector, not only by adapting their cosmetic formulas in favor of more sustainable products, but also by transforming packaging to reduce waste. The importance of the cosmetics sector within the national economy and the need for greater attention to packaging The cosmetics company represents a strategic sector in the economy of our country. While on the one hand the Made in Italy make-up and creams are well known throughout the country, on the other hand the sector is also profitable in terms of exports. The Covid-19 pandemic has changed the habits of using cosmetic products. After a physiological decline in sales, there was a shift in interest in certain products. In addition, the demand for products with a natural connotation and attention to new channels have increased, for example eCommerce, which has brought new consumers closer to purchasing products. The industry did not stand still during the pandemic; however, some plants have reconverted part of the plant for the production of sanitizing products and for the manufacture of gels. And the advent of Covid-19 has created a new awareness in the consumer, as claimed by Clare Henningan, who holds the position of senior beauty analysts at Mintel. With the pandemic there has been an increase in requests for clean and safe products, without toxic ingredients and with a low environmental impact supply chain. Packaging also comes into play in this scenario. The digitized generations are those grown up with ecological values ​​matured through study paths, carrying out separate collection and showing attention to the choice of products that reduce the weight of packaging in terms of waste and quantity of materials used. The choice is oriented towards products with eco-friendly packaging, that is, which follow an ethical production cycle. This trend should also be attested in the course of 2021 hoping for a convincing recovery in consumption, as long as they are lived in a sustainable perspective. To create customized packaging for your products, CART-ONE offers ideas and solutions with a low environmental impact, eco-sustainable and aimed at offering fully satisfactory performance for the creation of both primary and secondary packaging.

Overpackaging, or the excessive use of materials to package a product, is one of the most pressing environmental and economic challenges facing businesses today. It increases production costs, generates more waste, and often results in a higher price for the end consumer. Yet avoiding unnecessary materials is possible—and beneficial for everyone. Overpackaging: Sustainable Packaging Starts with Simplicity. Fortunately, Italy can rely on one of the most efficient packaging recycling systems in Europe, with more than 75% of materials being recovered. This achievement has already enabled the country to exceed the environmental targets set by the European Union for 2030. However, there is still room for improvement. According to estimates, excessive packaging can increase a product’s cost by up to 30%. At the same time, consumers are becoming increasingly willing to pay more for products packaged in a sustainable way. You may also be interested in: “Packaging Cost Optimization 2025: Strategies for Efficiency, Sustainability, and Cost Savings” Why Is Overpackaging a Problem? Whenever a product is wrapped in more layers than necessary, valuable resources are consumed, including plastic, wood, energy, and water. The environmental impact increases significantly, leading to higher CO₂ emissions and an excess of materials that are not always recyclable. The habit of over-packaging products, often driven by marketing requirements or preservation needs, results in avoidable waste. From an economic perspective, excess packaging comes at a cost. More materials mean higher expenses, increased transportation weight, more storage space requirements, and greater complexity in managing the packaging life cycle. It is an approach that is no longer sustainable in today's market. How to Reduce Overpackaging Without Compromising Quality Today, companies have the opportunity to rethink the way they design packaging. A good example comes from an Italian pasta manufacturer that removed the traditional plastic window from its packaging and replaced it with a paper label. The result? 50 tonnes of plastic saved every year and an extremely positive response from consumers, who are increasingly attentive to sustainability values. Optimizing packaging does not simply mean making it lighter; it also means making it smarter. Companies can develop more compact and lightweight solutions, use biodegradable or recycled materials, and adopt intelligent formats that reduce the space required during transportation and storage. Corrugated cardboard, in particular, is perfectly suited to these needs: it is lightweight, durable, fully recyclable, and versatile enough for a wide range of industries and products. The Most Effective Solutions An effective strategy to combat overpackaging is based on five key principles: Designing essential and functional packaging, reducing size and weight without compromising product protection; Prioritizing eco-friendly materials such as paper, corrugated cardboard, or bioplastics; Choosing reusable or easily recyclable packaging solutions; Communicating the company's commitment to sustainable packaging in a transparent manner; Encouraging customers to make responsible choices through incentives and information. Cart-One’s Role in Cleaner Packaging Cart-One supports companies that want to make a difference. We provide corrugated cardboard packaging solutions designed to reduce material waste and improve efficiency throughout the logistics process. Our goal is simple: to help businesses combine environmental responsibility, functionality, and value, even through small changes that generate significant results. With tailor-made corrugated cardboard solutions, Cart-One is the ideal partner for companies looking to embrace essential, efficient, and sustainable packaging. Would you like to reduce waste and make your packaging truly sustainable? Contact us and let’s develop the right solution together. Read also: “Towards Decarbonization: The Italian Paper Industry and the Challenges of the Green Transition”

Certifications are crucial to establish compliance with specific standards that allow a company to gain greater prestige in terms of market presence. Today, we will delve into the UNI EN ISO 14001 certification, which defines the standard and requirements for an “Environmental Management System”. This type of certification can be implemented within any type of organization. What is the purpose of the UNI EN ISO 14001 certification? Achieving this certification significantly reduces the liability of any type of organization with respect to environmental legislation. In detail, if the company or organization meets the necessary requirements, the certification serves to attest to the commitment shown, both in terms of achieving environmental performance and from the perspective of the virtuous goals that will shape the future of the company itself. Holding an Environmental Management System certification, therefore, publicly certifies a corporate path dedicated to environmental protection. This grants organizations access to various types of advantages, such as the possibility of obtaining specific authorizations or recognitions that allow for tax benefits. This certification sometimes constitutes a prerequisite that allows the certified organization or company to participate in tenders or public procurement procedures. How is compliance with the ISO 14001 Environmental Management System declared? As mentioned, UNI EN ISO 14001 gathers standards with which companies and organizations must comply in order to be awarded this recognition. In this sense, the first step to follow is to establish the environmental impact that one's business has on the territory and the community it affects. To do this, it is necessary to carry out an Environmental Analysis.  During this analysis, several aspects will be examined, including: the use of resources, emissions resulting from one's activity, and so on. Not only that, but the company must also demonstrate a flexible organization capable of managing, within the current regulatory framework, the requirements applicable to that specific type of business, thereby significantly influencing its impact. Companies and organizations wishing to apply for this certification must specify their Corporate Policy, which must be consistent with the commitments and goals to be achieved regarding environmental protection and the reduction of impacts strictly related to their business type. Within the process to become a UNI EN ISO 14001 certified company, specific environmental responsibilities are also established. Once awarded, the certification seals the commitment made to define, implement, and maintain active the conditions that enabled the achievement of this milestone. This means the company is called upon to continuously respect the imposed standards and requirements. The advantages of the UNI EN ISO 14001 certification: what do they consist of? Achieving the UNI EN ISO 14001 certification is advantageous from multiple points of view.  The advantage is for the Environment: implementing an Environmental Management System means a conscious use of resources. The ability to recognize one's environmental impact allows for the application of coherent strategies to reduce the pollution of soil, air, and water.  The advantage is for the company: in fact, there are several benefits to achieving this certification. Beyond the increase in prestige that this recognition brings, the company also acquires greater authority regarding market positioning. In this sense, we can recognize a competitive advantage for certified companies. As mentioned at the beginning, the certification grants access to tenders where it is explicitly stated as an essential requirement for participation. The certification also allows for the reduction of direct and indirect environmental costs. Last but not least, greater efficiency is achieved at both operational and managerial levels. The advantage is for potential partners: relying on a certified company for one's partnerships allows for the maximization of efforts in the area of environmental protection. In the field of corrugated cardboard packaging production, CART-ONE stands out as a company, not only for having achieved the prestigious UNI EN ISO 14001 certification, but also for putting into practice a corporate policy aimed at reducing environmental impact, in addition to being at the forefront of combating waste, directing production waste to the recycling supply chain to eliminate waste while generating new raw materials. Are you looking for a serious and reliable partner for the production of corrugated cardboard packaging and displays? Contact us. We can assist you in creating your customized, ecological, and sustainable packaging.