Italy is the European leader in waste recovery, recycling and circular economy

Sandra (Cart-One Parma) has been producing corrugated cardboard packaging for over 60 years for customers specializing in multiple sectors. Always distinguished by its innovative ability that leads it to adopt new sustainable and cutting edge solutions, Sandra in 2010 installed in its production area an HS corrugator with 3.35 meters width (the largest model available on the market) and in 2017 a single-pass inkjet printer, which leads the company to progressively expand its product portfolio, with proposals for packaging, displays and materials destined for the point of sale, which are increasingly personalized and avant-garde. Joint ventures and national and international alliances Despite its large turnover that only exceeded 180 million euros in 2018, the company remains a family-owned company led by Fausto Ferretti, son of the founder. In order to be able to effectively serve whole Italy from a logistical point of view, Cart-One joint venture with the 'Antonio Sada & Figli' of Salerno was born. Thanks to this successful collaboration, the two companies join - in 2014 - the alliance with Blue Box Partners: the members are all family-run businesses, specialized in the production of packaging, displays and paper. The precious exchange of ideas, skills and opinions among the owners of the Partnership leads the members to make important collective decisions regarding the introduction of new technological solutions aimed at optimizing the workflow: this has led the BBP members to hold the largest European base of single-pass inkjet printing machines. Thanks to the adoption of digital printing, in the last two years Sandra has created a department entirely dedicated to this type of product. For smaller customers, the company also offers a turnkey service that deals with both structural design and identity of the products (POP displays, fruit and vegetable trays, bag-in-boxes and shelf ready packaging). Adopting digital printing to stand out from the competition The digital production approach aims to stand out from the competition and adopt techniques and processes that are difficult to replicate from Italian competitors. To do this - explains Daniele Plazzi - he invested time and money traveling between North America and Japan, to understand in advance the progress that technology would have made in the near future. The target? Reducing dependence on external suppliers for pre-press work and printing plant construction Ensure faster responses to customers to shorten the time of launch of new products on the market. Sandra carefully observes the first installations of reel-fed pre-print inkjet technologies and concludes that the most suitable choice is a post-print solution. "If the purchasing decisions of consumers are also influenced by the appearance of boxes and displays, our goal was to offer a brighter and more glossy print, capable of capturing more attention," says Plazzi. So, in 2010 Sandra factory in Casale di Mezzani welcomes to Nasikajet, the digital printing line based on Barberan's inkjet technology, which Sandra has customized and renamed. The research and development of the company towards new medium-term goals never stops. The Company is constantly looking towards new horizons with the aim of being always updated on the new types of products available on the market, especially on machines with larger print size and new types of inks. Sustainable development projects Sandra's commitments and ambitions do not end there. Its development projects fully include the progressive replacement of plastic from disposable plastic packaging used in canteens and fast food outlets. The Mission? Offer alternative and eco-sustainable solutions, capable of guaranteeing the same performance. Would you like to know more? To learn more, download the article published on Italia Publisher English-Italia-PublisherDownload

From January 1, 2023, the mandatory packaging labeling enters into force, affecting not only producers but also distributors, importers, and retailers of products. Packaging labeling: mandatory since January 1, 2023. Environmental labeling consists of applying a specific label to all packaging placed on the Italian market, to facilitate its collection, reuse, recovery, and recycling, while providing information both on the packaging composition and on its correct disposal by the consumer.   Find out more: “The environmental label in packaging: what the Italian regulation says”   How the new packaging labeling works The new regulation on packaging labels was introduced to ensure a uniform level of consumer protection throughout the European Union (EU). Indeed, product labeling will provide consumers with more precise and comprehensive product information, ensuring greater transparency in the supply chain. Therefore, with the onset of the new year, from January 1, 2023, it is mandatory for all companies to label their products in compliance with the new European regulation on product safety.   Specifically, the decree establishes that «all packaging must be appropriately labeled, according to the procedures established by the applicable UNI standards, to facilitate the collection, reuse, recovery, and recycling of packaging, as well as to give correct information to consumers regarding the final destination of packaging».   The guidelines were adopted by Ministerial Decree no. 360 of September 28, 2022. From January 1, 2023, however, it is no longer possible to place packaging on the market that lacks environmental labeling. Conversely, packaging already on the market or labeled as of January 1, 2023, can be marketed until stocks are exhausted. Failure to comply with the eco-label will be penalized with a fine ranging from 5,000 to 25,000 euros. This document is the result of the work carried out by the Ministry together with the technical group of CONAI, the National Packaging Consortium.   What the new packaging regulation covers The new labeling requirement stipulates that all packaging on the national market must feature the alphanumeric code identifying the material used. If intended for household use, packaging must indicate, in addition to the type of material it consists of, the instructions for correctly disposing of it in separate waste collection. Specifically, the mandatory information to be applied on packaging aimed at the final consumer is as follows: the alphanumeric coding of the material; collection instructions, along with an invitation to check the provisions of one's own Municipality. To these, further optional but highly recommended information can be added: the type of packaging: bottle, flask, tray, label, and so forth; information to improve collection quality, such as flattening or rinsing the package before throwing it away, or removing the label.   Regarding multi-component packaging, components that cannot be separated manually must be distinguished from those that can be separated, indicating for each the composition material code and separate collection methods. For packaging related to the industrial or commercial sector, such as for display, logistics, and transport activities, packaging may omit collection information but must mandatorily report the alphanumeric code of the material in use. Producers and distributors can also choose to communicate information regarding product composition and disposal via digital media, for example: scanning QR codes; via apps; visiting websites.   Furthermore, each label has its own color: blue for paper, brown for organic waste, yellow for plastic, turquoise for metals, green for glass, and gray for unsorted waste.   In conclusion, product labeling must be clear, legible, and understandable to all consumers. The mandatory labeling of products represents an important step in consumer protection throughout the UE, as it will provide consumers with clear and precise information about the products they purchase, ensuring greater transparency in the supply chain and protecting their health and safety.   Read also: “Recycled and recyclable paper: the differences between the two processes”

December 16, 2024, marks a decisive turning point for the packaging sector: the Council formally adopted the new regulation on packaging and packaging waste. This regulatory innovation, detailed in the PPWR special by ItaliaImballaggio, represents the latest evolution for a sector that, throughout its entire lifecycle, is moving towards more responsible and sustainable management.   News on packaging regulations: towards safe, sustainable, and circular packaging. In this article, we will explore the changes introduced, the implications for different application sectors, and the key role that efficient packaging can play in a circular economy strategy. Discover how these rules can transform your business and how Cart-One stands as a strategic partner in this transition.   Read also: “CE marking of machinery: what changes with the EU/2023/1230 regulation”   Safe, sustainable, and recyclable packaging: the new requirements The new regulation provides a series of ambitious targets for 2030 and 2040, aimed at promoting packaging that reduces environmental impact throughout its lifecycle. Among the main requirements are: Recycled content: by 2040, single-use plastic bottles must contain up to 65% recycled material, a key milestone to reduce dependence on virgin raw materials. Weight and volume reduction: the new rules require minimizing both the weight and volume of packaging, eliminating superfluous wrapping and optimizing design to reduce waste. Limitation of hazardous substances: substances of concern will also be reduced, for example by limiting the placement on the market of packaging in contact with food products that contains PFAS above certain thresholds. Labeling and information: requirements regarding labeling and marking aim to make sorting and proper disposal of packaging easier for the consumer, facilitating more conscious purchasing choices.   Restrictions on single-use plastic packaging The regulation introduces specific measures to limit the use of single-use plastic, particularly targeting: Pre-packaged fruit and vegetable products, especially if the weight is less than 1.5 kg. Food and beverages served in hotels, bars, and restaurants, with special attention to individual portions of condiments, sauces, cream, and sugar. Small single-use cosmetic and personal hygiene products typical of the hospitality sector (for example, shampoo bottles or lotions). Ultra-lightweight plastic bags, those often provided in markets for bulk food items. These restrictions are designed to encourage the adoption of alternative materials and drastically reduce the amount of single-use plastic that ends up in landfills.   Reuse targets and refill obligations The regulation sets new binding reuse targets for 2030 and indicative targets for 2040, diversified depending on the type of packaging. For example, for packaging intended for transport and sale, a binding target of 40% is planned, while for grouped packaging the target is set at 10%. Furthermore, businesses operating in the take-away sector will be obliged to offer customers the option of using personal containers, allowing them to be filled with food and beverages at no additional cost. This measure not only favors reuse but also encourages more sustainable consumption behaviors.   The packaging lifecycle and the new regulatory vision Despite progress in recycling, the EU still records high packaging waste production: in 2022, nearly 186.5 kg of waste were generated per inhabitant, with 36 kg from plastic alone. This scenario highlights how the amount of waste exceeds that of recycled material, making an update to the regulatory framework essential. The proposal to revise Directive 94/62/EC, now transformed into a regulation (PPWR), was conceived to promote a transition towards a circular economy and to steer Europe towards climate neutrality. The European Parliament and the Council agreed on their positions and, following a provisional agreement reached on March 4, 2024, the regulation will enter into force 18 months after its publication in the Official Journal of the EU.   The role of Cart-One in the transition towards innovative packaging In this evolving regulatory context, Cart-One confirms itself as a strategic partner for companies wishing to align with the new regulations and adopt cutting-edge packaging solutions. Our solutions offer: Safe and recyclable packaging: we design packaging that guarantees product protection and facilitates recycling, helping to reduce environmental impact. Design optimization: with Cart-One, it is possible to reduce the weight and volume of packaging, improving logistics efficiency and reducing transport and storage costs. Transparency and information: labels and markings compliant with the new standards allow for clear information on recycled content and the packaging lifecycle, making sorting and correct disposal easier for consumers. The new regulation on packaging and waste represents an important regulatory evolution, aimed at transforming the packaging sector into a model of safety, sustainability, and circularity. With ambitious goals and restrictive measures, Europe is charting the course toward a future where every stage of the packaging lifecycle will be optimized to reduce waste and environmental impacts.   Cart-One stands as the ideal partner for companies wishing to make this leap in quality, offering innovative, safe packaging solutions compliant with the new regulations. Are you ready to transform your packaging and lead the change toward a circular economy?   Contact us today to discover how we can help you create packaging that is a true competitive asset for your business.   You might also be interested in: “Food product labeling: what changes with the new MIMIT guidelines”