The differences between slotted boxes and die-cut boxes

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

When it comes to food safety, packaging is an aspect that must be carefully considered. Especially in the case of primary packaging, which comes into direct contact with food, it is necessary to keep current regulations and their evolution in mind, in order to provide partners with top-level support. Food packaging manufacturers must not only comply with national provisions but are also required to know the regulations issued at the European level. Recently, Reg. (EU) 10/2011 underwent changes through the XV amendment. The evolution of FCM regulations and food packaging Products intended for food contact often involve combining plastic films and paper. The latter must comply with regulations before being placed on the market. The regulatory framework dealing with Food Contact Materials (FCM) is quite complex and, following the evolution of the packaging market and the introduction of new packaging solutions, it has expanded over time. Specifically, we can mention Reg. 178/2002, which introduced the theme of packaging safety from a food safety perspective for the first time. Another step forward is represented by the Framework Regulation for all FCMs through Reg. 1935/2004. In Article 3 of this document, a very important concept is stated: packaging in contact with food must not pose a risk to the consumer, and the organoleptic characteristics of the product must be preserved. Reg. 2023/2006 focused on Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP). The regulation aims to govern all actions that safeguard the compliance of FCMs at every stage of their life cycle: from production to final use. Specific regulations: which materials are subject to ad hoc requirements? European regulations are enriched by five specific regulations concerning materials such as regenerated cellulose, ceramics, active and intelligent materials, plastic objects, and recycled plastic. Furthermore, there are regulations dedicated to certain starting substances useful for the production of FCMs. The only materials not subject to a specific regulation are paper and cardboard. In this case, Member States can refer to national standards. The new Regulation (EU) 1245/2020 - plastic materials and articles intended to come into contact with food: what does the standard prescribe? Among the most comprehensive and complex documents is certainly Regulation (EU) 10/2011, which concerns plastic materials and articles intended to come into contact with food. The regulation has been revised and amended several times based on natural changes, as well as a new ecological awareness that favors leaner, more sustainable, and recyclable packaging. A recent amendment, dating back to September 2, 2020, is represented by the XV amendment of the European Commission. Through this document, the aim was to restrict the use of certain substances; therefore, the amendment presents new authorized substances and establishes new migration limits for other substances. Furthermore, to make the restrictions on the use of certain materials more effective, the XV amendment adds and modifies some of the procedures and conditions present in Annex V, which focused on migration testing. In essence, the XV amendment replaces Annex II on restrictions for certain materials and also for plastic articles. In this case, we are talking about metals and primary aromatic amines. The measure also replaced the Declaration of Compliance (DoC), regulated in point 6 of Annex IV. Other heavy metals have been added to the currently active list of unsafe materials. Among the latter, we can include arsenic, cadmium, lead, mercury, and antimony. Restrictions are present for certain types of plastics and lanthanides, such as lanthanum, europium, gadolinium, and terbium for polyolefins. The changes introduced, however, do not eliminate previously established measures. In fact, the modifications apply to production and not to products already placed on the market or present as stock. To meet these requirements, the product must have been placed on the market for the first time on March 23, 2021. How to handle multilayer and multi-material packaging? Another issue closely affecting the paper production and processing sector is multilayer and multi-material packaging. In detail, if a multilayer packaging has a plastic part that comes into direct contact with food, it must possess all the characteristics required by the regulation. If the plastic layer is separated from the food by a functional barrier, then other materials not present in the regulation may also be used, provided they are not carcinogenic, mutagenic, or toxic. In such cases, European regulations defer to national laws. For years, CART-ONE has held a leading position in the production of corrugated cardboard packaging. Thanks to a know-how oriented towards innovation and the search for specific solutions for each customer, we are the perfect partner to support companies in the Food & Beverage sector that want to focus on cutting-edge and eco-sustainable solutions.

In the case of relocation, transfers, or simply sending a gift from Italy abroad, it is always necessary to equip yourself adequately and follow a few simple tips. How to ship household appliances: suitable packaging. Do you need to ship a small or large household appliance but don't know where to start? Well, then it's time to learn how to distinguish between the various products and understand the different packaging methods, provided they are always safe, resistant, and of high quality. Let's find out all the details in this article. Read also: “How to pack a television and special objects for a move” Small or large household appliances The world of household appliances is truly vast. Therefore, it is first necessary to distinguish between small and large household appliances. Depending on the specific classification, the shipping method, process logistics, and, of course, the packaging system will change as well. Shipping small appliances If you need to ship one or more small appliances, you must always remember that the more delicate they are, the more adequate filler material you will need to use to avoid potential impacts and damage to the item. In this case, the best advice is to use corrugated cardboard boxes (American type), especially triple-wall ones. Generally, fillers are employed to protect and fully safeguard the item being shipped from vibrations, impacts, and jolts that normally occur during transport by vehicles. Bubble wrap, for instance, is among the best-known filler materials—a polyethylene sheet featuring air bubbles. Furthermore, since these are small and lightweight appliances, they may be shipped via standard couriers along with other types of goods. In the latter case, the important thing is to adequately protect each appliance using reliable packaging materials, for example by wrapping it in bubble wrap and then completely lining it with polystyrene sheets 2-3 cm thick. Complete the operation by placing everything inside a highly resistant cardboard box, leaving no empty spaces between the inner wrapping and the box. Let's now discover the best packaging according to the small appliance to be shipped: electronic equipment, such as computers and monitors, hairdryers, microwave ovens, and kitchen tools: double-wall box, which is not particularly heavy or bulky; small electronic devices, such as cables, phones, intercoms, small emergency or alarm devices: die-cut boxes with reinforced closure, which are secure, sturdy, and reusable. Shipping large appliances If, on the other hand, you need to ship appliances with large dimensions and significant weight, such as washing machines, refrigerators, dishwashers, dryers, vacuum cleaners, and so on, you must opt for triple-wall boxes and pallets (wooden platforms) that allow heavy packages to be handled with specific loading and unloading equipment (such as forklifts). The pallet, therefore, is a wooden platform on which the goods to be transported are placed and secured; the best on the market, safe and approved under European law, is the EURO and EPAL pallet. For greater security and to better immobilize the corner guards, wrap your appliance in bubble wrap, but also use organic packing peanuts or paper void filler before loading it onto the wooden platform. If there are fragile parts (such as glass shelves in refrigerators), it is preferable to remove and pack them separately with sheets of bubble wrap, to be then inserted into a cardboard box and placed inside the appliance itself or on the pallet. Next, you will need to arrange the appliance inside the triple-wall box, such as semi-ready triple-wall boxes, featuring staples on the sides to provide greater support and resistance up to 500 kg, with a maximum size reaching 120 x 80 x 80 cm. In addition, you can also decide to use polystyrene profiles or corner protectors to shield the corners, which are the most delicate parts of your package. To find out more: “GIFCO Conference 2022: corrugated cardboard figures in Italy in 2021” If you need valuable packaging with high-quality products and cutting-edge technologies, choose CART-ONE. Discover all our products and ensure the best performance. Contact us to receive all the information you want.