What it means to be an ISO 14001 certified company and why it matters for the environment

The environmental impact of packaging has become an increasingly significant issue in the current context, where the production and consumption of goods are constantly rising. Reducing the environmental impact of packaging: what Europe mandates. Europe has recognized the need to address this challenge and has adopted several measures aimed at reducing the environmental impact of packaging. In this article, we will explore the main initiatives and policies of the European Union (EU) to tackle this issue and promote sustainable solutions. Read also: “Packaging labeling: mandatory since January 1, 2023” Greater sustainability for packaging in Europe Europe is firmly tackling the challenge of reducing the environmental impact of packaging. Through a series of policies and initiatives, the EU is focusing on waste prevention, recycling, reducing single-use plastic, promoting the circular economy, and consumer awareness. These measures aim to create a more sustainable packaging system that minimizes environmental impact, fosters resource efficiency, and drives the transition toward a greener economy. It is vital for consumers, businesses, and institutions to work together to adopt sustainable behaviors and solutions, contributing to a better future for our planet. The proposed EU regulation On November 30, 2022, the European Commission submitted a proposal for a regulation establishing new rules on packaging and packaging waste in the EU. The proposal will apply to all packaging of any material placed on the Union market. The subsequent regulation will repeal the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive, becoming directly applicable in all EU Member States without needing to be transposed into local legislation. The proposal is currently being reviewed by the European Parliament and the Council of the EU. The European Commission's initiative was introduced concurrently with the release of the packaging labeling guidelines issued by the Italian Ministry of Ecological Transition. The introduction of mandatory labeling from January 1, 2023 primarily aims to facilitate collection, reuse, recovery, and recycling of packaging, providing consumers with accurate information on its final disposal. Objectives and proposals for the EU market The general objective of the legislative proposal is to reduce the negative environmental impacts of packaging and packaging waste. Specifically, the proposal aims to: reduce the production of packaging waste; promote a circular economy for packaging in a cost-effective manner; foster the uptake of recycled content within packaging. The proposal introduces new rules regarding packaging placed on the EU market, specifically: Recyclability: all packaging placed on the market must be recyclable. Packaging recyclability will be measured on a scale from A to E, where E corresponds to non-recyclable packaging, which will consequently be banned from the market; Reusability: all packaging placed on the market must be designed and used in a way that allows it to be reused as many times as possible. Economic operators placing reusable packaging on the market must ensure the existence of a reuse system for such packaging. Furthermore, certain single-use packaging will be explicitly banned (for example, single-use packaging for fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as miniature single-use packaging like shampoo bottles); Dimensions: every packaging unit must be reduced to the minimum necessary dimensions in terms of weight and volume. It must be ensured that the empty space ratio does not exceed 40% of the total packaging volume; Use of recycled content: the plastic parts of packaging must contain a specific percentage of recycled content recovered from post-consumer plastic waste for each packaging unit. In addition, regarding the first two points (recyclability and reusability), it will become mandatory to display: harmonized symbols across Europe on bins and packaging to indicate sorting, as well as on packaging to show reusability. This includes the obligation to add, by January 1, 2028, labels that allow for the separate collection of each material; QR codes to be added to packaging to provide consumers with more information on the reusability of the product's packaging and to indicate recycling collection points. Find out more: “Recycled paper and recyclable paper: the differences between the two processes”

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”

More and more companies are changing their organizational setting in order to have a more respectful approach towards the environment. It is no coincidence, in fact, that in recent years there has been an increasing talk of "sustainable marketing". This new approach to the market is significant because it shows the clear willingness on the part of companies not only to create value for consumers and their partners, but also to bring benefits to the whole community through production that does not impact the environment. Therefore, corporate sustainability is selected in several areas: people: the company is committed to offer its employees working conditions that ensure their well-being and safety. community: the activity is committed to produce wealth for the entire community, including through the creation of a network with local companies. environment: reducing CO2 emissions to a minimum in order not to pay all the further pollution of air, water and soil, is the cardinal principle on which the concept of sustainable company is based. The basics of sustainable marketing Companies must offer their customers different consumption patterns. If in the past the corporate marketing operations focused on a cycle focused on the creation of a need, or on customer satisfaction through the act of consumption and the production of a waste derived from consumption itself, this perspective is now reversed precisely through theory a sustainable approach and a circular economy. Today, companies must not only satisfy customers, but direct them towards a critical consumption that will bring benefits - in the long run - on the whole community. In this sense, the company management system must comply with the provisions of current legislation. It must be taken into account that the sustainability criteria are not monolithic, but are listed on the basis of the technologies available to limit pollution and implement production processes; at the same time, they are also included according to social and environmental needs. Talking about sustainable marketing, means being able to put production processes, the resources employed and the constant training of its staff under the magnifying glass. The commitment of every business reality must focus on the production of collective, social and environmental benefits, the effects of which have an impact on the long term. These benefits must be concrete and measurable. CART-ONE's experience in the field of sustainability Starting from the concepts expressed so far, the CART-ONE experience is explanatory as regards the research and implementation of a sustainable production model. The main purpose of the activity is to combine multiple aspects including respect for the environment, the satisfaction of its partners and the creation of a quality product. By limiting production waste and thanks to recycling, not only are high quality products obtained, but at the same time it contributes to the protection of the environment in an active way. In addition to what has been said so far, the company operates using innovative clean technologies. In addition, the product design takes place exclusively through the design study aimed at saving raw materials and reducing waste.