In recent times we have often talked about the sustainability goals to be achieved by 2030, those set by the European Union to reduce harmful emissions and reach the target by 2050 climate neutrality. There are many areas of interest, as are the actions to be implemented. Among these there is certainly that of reduce the use and consumption of plastic bags virgin, derived from petroleum.
This is why actions are needed reuse e recycling by citizens and sustainable strategies by companies that must commit to using more and more biodegradable materials. So packaging changes its appearance and material to become increasingly green, made from recycled plastic or with alternative materials.
Packaging thus becomes recyclable and reusable, designed to create the least environmental impact without compromising its protection and information functions. A sustainable packaging, therefore, is halfway between the ethical and ecological logics and the commercial ones linked to the product. Let's see what its characteristics are and why it makes the difference.
The importance of sustainable packaging
The world of industrial packaging is changing, quickly and increasingly from a green perspective, to achieve the production of a sustainable packaging, zero impact and functional for recycling, reuse and waste reduction.
This is why they are used ecological, natural, biodegradable materials and which can be used over and over again without becoming waste. Paper and cardboard appear at the top of the list, followed by virgin wood fibres, bioplastics or even advanced solutions that use vegetable raw materials or food waste to finally reach glass.
A true revolution in the industrial world which is increasingly moving away from "disposable" and relying on eco-design. In this process yes uses less raw material by reducing the size and lightening the packaging, the aim is to compostability, the simplification of the packaging system and the ease of separation of used materials.
The benefits are many and not only environmental, eliminating waste, but also on an economic level. Optimizing resources, in fact, allows not only to have a smaller impact on the environment, but also to save in the production process, giving a concrete response to citizens who are developing a growing sensitivity towards green issues.
Some examples of green packaging
Reducing the use of plastic is not easy but sometimes just a few moves are enough to change things. However, it is necessary collaboration of everyone: on the one hand, companies must commit to making an important change in the packaging sector, on the other, users in the choices they make every day.
Each area can accommodate new packages: from those in cellulose, for example, for the conservation of food, to those in cardboard for detergents. Is it all very strange? Not at all, as it is already a reality. For example, we can talk about a sustainable and inclusive laundry thanks to Dash, the Procter & Gamble brand, leader in Italy in the washing machine detergent category, which in just one year saved 650 tons of plastic thanks to the first cardboard packaging created for Dash Power PODs.