Sustainability: recycling and reuse for a second life of materials

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.

Companies' interest in environmental protection is increasingly vibrant. Among these is certainly the paper and packaging industry, which is becoming ever more attentive to the health of our planet. Recycled paper and recyclable paper: the differences between the two processes. The theme of sustainability is now close to the heart of most industrial activities. Paper, for example, is one of the most widely used materials in the world, and this is why, to reduce the environmental impact of its production, the use of recycled paper and recyclable paper is chosen with increasing frequency. However, there is still a great deal of confusion regarding the two products, given that they derive from two separate processes. In this article, we will explore precisely these differences.   Find out more: “Recyclable, compostable, biodegradable: what are the differences?”   What is recycled paper Recycled paper is produced from the waste of already used paper and not from plant cellulose. And since paper recycling leverages separate waste collection, it consequently does not cause the cutting down of additional trees. In fact, the production of recycled paper is based on the collection, processing, and recycling of paper items that have reached the end of their product life cycle. Just think that producing one ton of paper requires about 15 trees and the consumption of more than 400,000 liters of water and 7,600 kWh. Conversely, starting from the fiber of paper waste, about 95% is transformed into new paper; therefore, compared to other productions, using waste paper entails great savings in energy, water, and timber. The production process of recycled paper involves repeated phases of de-inking, grinding, and drying, during which the mechanical and chemical properties of the fibers, the degree of cellulose polymerization, and the structure of the components in general are altered. Overall, the process consists of several stages: separate collection by consumers and businesses and storage in recycling centers; selection of the waste paper and elimination of impure paper materials that are unsuitable for processing or of poor quality; pressing of the waste and binding into bales; shredding into paper micro-fragments; bleaching with chemical decolorization; removal of the ink printed on the waste paper; pulping of the semi-finished product by adding hot water; refining and elimination of impurities from the mixture;   The final result is clean paper that is transformed into new paper using a process similar to that of producing virgin cellulose paper, which can be used to manufacture a wide range of paper products, such as printing paper and cardboard.   What is recyclable paper Recyclable paper is paper that can be recycled up to 7 times, beyond which the yield decreases because the fibers shorten and weaken. Specifically, recyclable material refers to all those waste items that can be reused to produce new objects identical to the waste, or new materials. Recycling an object means converting waste into a new object or a new material of the same value. In this regard, the raw materials that are recyclable today include paper and cardboard, wood, glass, aluminum, steel, fabrics, tires, and plastic. Recyclable paper is produced using virgin cellulose from trees that are grown specifically for paper production. Furthermore, recyclable paper must be produced using processes that minimize environmental impact so that it can be recycled repeatedly. The production process of recyclable paper follows these steps: harvesting of virgin cellulose, which is obtained from trees through deforestation; once harvested, the cellulose is shredded and transformed into a cellulose pulp; the cellulose pulp is then mixed with water and other chemical substances to improve the strength and quality of the paper; the mixture is then transferred into a machine, where it is separated into sheets and pressed to remove excess water; the paper sheets are then dried and cut into the desired dimensions.   It is important to note that the production process of recyclable paper requires a greater environmental impact compared to the production of recycled paper, as it involves deforestation to obtain the virgin cellulose. However, the use of sustainable processes can certainly reduce the environmental impact of recyclable paper production.   Differences between recycled paper and recyclable paper Often, recycled paper and recyclable paper are erroneously used as synonyms. However, they represent two different processes. Let us assume that, until recently, white paper created from cellulose fiber and obtained from tree wood was the only type of paper available on the market. Today, fortunately, companies give more and more space to the use of recycled paper, obtained from waste paper, which in turn is derived from separate waste collection. The main difference between recycled paper and recyclable paper is, in fact, the production process: recycled paper uses used paper and is produced using less water and energy compared to virgin cellulose paper, making it a more sustainable choice. Furthermore, the production of recycled paper reduces the amount of paper destined for landfills. recyclable paper uses virgin cellulose. It has the advantage of being able to be recycled more times compared to recycled paper. The production process begins with the harvesting of virgin cellulose, which is obtained from trees through deforestation. Once harvested, the cellulose is shredded and transformed into a cellulose pulp.   In general, the use of recycled and recyclable paper is undoubtedly an important step toward reducing the environmental impact of paper production.   Cart-One has always been a creator and promoter of the circular economy, pursuing the produce-consume-regenerate-recover model, so that production waste becomes a reel and a box again thanks to the use of clean and innovative technologies, and an ecodesign aimed at saving raw materials and preventing waste. Indeed, Cart-One is committed every day to decreasing impacts on water, air, and soil, ensuring a high-quality, efficient, and eco-sustainable service. Discover all our products and contact us for more information or to receive a free quote for your business.   Read also: “Paper packaging in the digital era and the circular economy”

We live in an era where fake news is a daily occurrence, but this does not only concern the digital world. Paper, cardboard, and their recycling are also frequently at the center of misconceptions and wrong ideas, which end up being considered true simply because they are widespread. Unveiling false myths about paper and its recycling: truths and lies to debunk. In this article, we will unveil some of the most common myths related to paper and its environmental impact, providing concrete data and irrefutable truths. Discover how paper can be one of the most sustainable resources and why it is important to continue using and recycling it responsibly. See also: “Packaging: paper is the fastest-growing food packaging material” Myth 1: paper destroys forests The truth: A common misconception is that paper production is one of the main drivers of deforestation. However, only 12% of the world's timber is used for paper production. Most deforestation is caused by the conversion of forests into agricultural land and by the timber industry for other purposes, such as construction. Furthermore, the European paper industry is committed to using wood from sustainably managed forests. This wood often comes from thinning operations necessary to maintain forest health and from residues of other industries, such as sawmills. Myth 2: reducing paper consumption will save forests The truth: The European paper industry adopts sustainable forest management, planting three trees for every tree harvested. This approach has contributed to an annual increase in European forests equivalent to 1.5 million football fields. In Italy, forests grow by 6,450 km² each year, the equivalent of 4,363 football fields. These data show that paper production and use, when managed correctly, can be compatible with forest conservation and expansion. Myth 3: all paper should be recycled The truth: Paper is already one of the most recycled materials in Europe, with over 72% of utilized paper being recycled. This makes paper one of the most recycled materials overall. In Italy too, more than half of the paper produced comes from recycling. However, certain types of paper require virgin fibers to meet specific quality standards, making the use of kraft paper necessary in some specific cases. Myth 4: paper production is polluting The truth The paper industry represents an example of excellence in using clean technologies. Italy is a leader in the European Ecolabel certification, which attests to the ecological excellence of the product. Modern technologies used in paper production allow for minimizing environmental impact, making paper an increasingly sustainable product. Myth 5: paper contributes significantly to CO2 emissions The truth: Paper is a natural, renewable, and recyclable product that helps curb CO2 emissions. Comparative studies show that reading a paper newspaper every day produces 20% less CO2 than reading the news online for about 30 minutes. This demonstrates that paper, although often perceived as less eco-friendly than digital, actually has a relatively small environmental impact. Myth 6: paper production consumes a lot of energy The truth Energy consumption for paper production is comparable to other daily activities. A person's average annual paper consumption is 200 kg, requiring 500 kWh of electricity, equivalent to keeping a 60W light bulb turned on for a year. This consumption is comparable to that of household appliances on stand-by for an entire year, showing that paper production is not excessive from an energy perspective. Myth 7: paper is obsolete and unnecessary The truth Paper has been a fundamental means of communication for over 2000 years and continues to be so even in the digital age. It is indispensable in our daily life for culture, information, hygiene, and protection. It is a natural, renewable, and recyclable product, unsurpassed in durability and practicality. Despite the advent of digital, paper remains a core element of our society. Myth 8: paper is synonymous with bureaucracy The truth Paper is not responsible for bureaucratic inefficiency. It is simply a tool used in public and private offices. The quality and efficiency of services depend on how they are managed, not on the paper. Indeed, paper is a versatile and indispensable support for many aspects of our daily life. Myth 9: paper production wastes water The truth: The paper industry has become increasingly sustainable over the years. Today, to produce a ton of paper, 24 cubic meters of water are used, compared to 100 cubic meters in the 1970s. Furthermore, 90% of the water used is recycled, with only 10% being fresh input. This demonstrates the efficiency and sustainability of modern production processes. Debunking these myths is essential to better understand the importance of paper and its recycling. Paper is a sustainable, renewable, and recyclable material that continues to play a fundamental role in our society. Promoting accurate information can help counter false beliefs and improve recycling practices, contributing to a healthier environment. Investing in knowledge and awareness of sustainable practices related to paper is a vital step toward a greener and more responsible future. You might also be interested in: “Which packaging will be banned by 2030?” Source: Comieco