Packaging as the protagonist of e-commerce

From aesthetics to environmental sustainability, packaging must meet increasingly specific needs from consumers and the environment. Packaging Trends 2023: all the new packaging developments. Nowadays, packaging must focus on aspects that go beyond aesthetics, but also on issues regarding sustainability and the adoption of materials that respect the planet. And then there is the e-commerce factor, a sector that is growing dramatically day by day, and which requires increasingly cutting-edge packaging and digital printing technologies.   Read also: “How the energy crisis impacts the supply of paper and cardboard”   Greater demand for corrugated cardboard Since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, consumer purchases have changed radically. Consequently, companies had to adapt to the new “normal” by creating an online store to continue selling their products. The data confirms it: 30% of companies moved online during the peak of the pandemic, with the resulting significant growth of the e-commerce sector. A trend that will continue to grow in the future. Indeed, thanks to the use of smartphones and the accessibility of more digital technologies, 95% of all purchases will be made online by 2040.   E-commerce retail sales will continue to rise, with estimates of around 20% annual growth for electronic commerce in Europe; global online sales are expected to exceed 5.5 trillion dollars in 2023, which will have a profound impact on packaging demand, especially in the corrugated cardboard industry, affecting 80% of the demand for products sold online. This results in an increasingly complex supply chain for direct-to-consumer delivery, considering that packages sold via e-commerce are handled up to 20 times or more during standard distribution. All this translates into a new demand for corrugated cardboard packaging. Packaging that is increasingly resistant, safe, robust, and versatile, therefore capable of containing, protecting, and transporting the various types of products within.   More and more digital printing Digital printing will be increasingly important for the packaging world in 2023. With the higher demand for corrugated cardboard, in fact, companies will choose increasingly high-performance materials that can be printed optimally. This results in higher brand customization, certainly thanks to a quality of the latest technologies that is significantly superior compared to the past. With these technological developments, brands will want higher customer loyalty and engagement, and packaging will do nothing but help create a memorable purchasing experience to share through social media, also attracting new users and generating more conversions.   Custom fit-to-product packaging Again thanks to the explosion of e-commerce and the needs of its sellers, the fit-to-product (FtP) or box-on-demand system will be increasingly important, a technology that allows the production of custom packaging based on the exact dimensions of the product to be packed, including irregular shapes. In this way, the end user will no longer need to hold large stocks of standard-sized boxes that often require abundant amounts of void-fill material. Gradually, with the increased request for FtP platforms, there will be more demand for cardboard sold as fanfold.   Retail-ready formats Shelf ready packaging, intended for retail sale, is establishing itself more and more as a tool to save costs for retailers, especially in Western Europe. A factor derived from greater sales pressure, also as a solution to save labor, since it is estimated that these packaging formats can reduce shelf-replenishment and handling costs by up to 50%, while also providing greater control over the presentation of goods within the retail space.   Sustainable packaging Corrugated cardboard is easy to recycle and can be converted into new packaging cardboard production. This also results in an increased demand for corrugated protective formats compared to polymer-based alternatives, such as expanded polystyrene (EPS) foams. Consumer goods companies are increasingly committed to modifying existing packaging and ensuring that new versions are more sustainable through the lightweighting strategy, which reduces the size and weight of the packaging, so that products are lighter and the carbon footprint during transport is lowered. The importance of lightweighting will continue to be felt in the coming years, as retailers need to save on costs and attract end users. To be considered, obviously, is that environmental labeling will come into force from January 1st, 2023, so it will be mandatory to communicate the final destination of the packaging, with an indication of all the materials it is made of. The purpose is to facilitate the collection, reuse, recovery, and recycling of packaging, as well as to increase consumer awareness on the subject of sustainability.   More conscious design for the beauty sector The global packaging market is booming, and it is destined to grow by nearly 3% year-on-year between now and 2028, to a value of 1.2 trillion dollars. For the beauty industry, packaging is no longer just a means for transporting products; it is the mirror of the brand and its values, of its commitment to people and the planet. For this reason, for the 2023/24 season, cosmetic packaging design will be more ecologically conscious through regenerative design systems, where the packaging will improve the ecosystem and protect biodiversity. There will be more and more compostable materials, packaging based on carbon capture, and materials derived from waste and by-products. Furthermore, thanks to new post-pandemic values, such as self-care and inclusion, more space will be given to experiences, cultures, and individual realities with the development of micro-dose packaging and universal packaging. The choice of materials will also be made to stimulate interaction, thanks to tactile and sensory textures like suede or the matte-velvety effect, and packaging that will strengthen the person-product connection. In addition, packaging will have increasingly evolving shapes: from single-dose sachets that seal the key moments of the beauty routine to magnetic single-dose miniatures, packed in soluble sachets and pods, completely recyclable and compostable, while large-sized refills will stay at home and be used to refill travel containers when necessary. Everything, clearly, from the perspective of sustainability.   There is talk of four materials that will be the protagonists of the new packaging in the coming years: mycelium, seaweed, cork, and hemp. Mycelium packaging has already made giant strides: durable, resistant, and lightweight, it has the capacity to decompose in the ground within 90 days, also reducing costs along the entire supply chain. Seaweed will be increasingly available from 2024; it does not require fresh water, land, or fertilizer, and grows 20-30 times more than land-based agriculture, so as to replace single-use plastic. Cork and hemp paper are already available and both come from regenerative agricultural practices. If these materials continue to be used, it will certainly facilitate the transition to regenerative crops with a new longevity for packaging.   The future of food and drink packaging 2023 Packaging related to the food and drink sector is a fundamental communication vehicle, which must constantly adapt to consumer expectations. In recent years, to respond more and more to environmental, social, and economic sustainability needs, packaging has also taken on an ethical role, keeping track of our purchasing choices regarding the environment. 2023 packaging, therefore, will put sustainability, value, technology, and appealing aesthetics at the center, choosing more sustainable materials, but also more optimistic designs and colors, especially after the long global post-pandemic period. The colors will be simple and reassuring, as well as versatile: soft and classic base colors that will produce a sense of security in consumers. Furthermore, 2023 packaging will find inspiration in nature: consumers will find serenity and pleasure in nature, appreciating it for its healing benefits and nurturing a deep desire to preserve it. Food and beverage ingredients for wellness and self-care will be fundamental, as will natural processes for packaging. Packaging must be created from natural regenerative and biodiverse fibers and products must be made from processes that increase biodiversity and leave no trace. The trend colors will be optimistic and emotional, with a delicate balance between natural earth tones and bright colors, for a perfect harmony with a consumer who seeks their own well-being and that of the earth.   Find out more: “Environmental labeling in packaging: what Italian regulations say”

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.

Environment Italian Minister Sergio Costa has signed the regulation that marks the End of Waste regarding the life cycle of paper and cardboard. The minister himself stated that "the End of Waste is an indispensable element for enhancing the potential of waste and can make a strong contribution to developing the potential of the recycling sector". This material, in fact, is less and less assimilated to a waste, and more and more to a real resource to be recovered for the production of new paper and corrugated cardboard. The measure was developed following numerous technical meetings. Before the regulation was issued, in fact, consultations were held with ISPRA, the technical body of the Ministry of the Environment, and sector operators. The meetings were also held with the ISS representatives for the assessment of the impacts on the environment and human health. What does the regulation establish? The regulation establishes the methods and criteria in which the planned actions must be taken to ensure that paper and cardboard cease to be waste and become resources for the creation of new material. The regulation is divided into seven articles which have the task of defining the areas of application and three annexes. In Annex 1 you can read the general criteria for the termination of the qualification of paper and cardboard waste. The content contains an explicit reference to the UNI EN 643 standard. Annex 2, on the other hand, identifies the specific purposes according to which the recovered paper and cardboard can be used. Finally, Annex 3 shows the model of the declaration of conformity (DDC), which has been prepared in the form of a declaration in lieu of affidavit. The latter must bear the manufacturer's personal data in addition to the declarations, always by the manufacturer, on the characteristics of the recovered paper and cardboard. What is the importance of paper recovery? Waste paper can be reused as a raw material, either in the manufacture of paper and corrugated cardboard, or for the paper industry, and for industries that use the UNI EN 643 standard as a reference. All this involves an important step forward in the responsible management of resources, in extending the life of the materials which are released into the environment and in creating an additional source from which to obtain the raw material. We must remember that the paper recovery and restarting sector in the production environment, acts as a driving force for circularity processes. In our country, in fact, the recovery of recycled fiber accounts for 60% of paper production. In the packaging sector, the recycling rate has reached the considerable percentage of 80%, placing the country ahead of the European directives, which require by 2030 to reach the 85% recovery threshold. In addition, the recycling of paper allows to drastically reduce the waste that is then sent to landfills. The experience of CART-ONE, which has always been committed to making its production processes of paper and corrugated cardboard boxes increasingly virtuous and environmentally friendly, fits into this framework, so as to confirm itself as a leading player in area of ​​the circular economy.