Sustainable Packaging

Buy sustainable packaging and use it for goods shipping and logistics

Sustainability is an issue for the future of the packaging industry and has therefore become an increasing focus for packaging manufacturers in recent years. As an innovative company, we design our packaging sustainably and think about using environmentally friendly materials and reducing waste. Some of our products are made from ecological materials that produce as little waste as possible when they are disposed of. Our product range in this respect is constantly expanding, because we want to think about tomorrow today.

Sustainable packaging with packaging solutions made from recyclable materials

Where exactly does sustainability begin? Even packaging experts do not completely agree on what the exact criteria for sustainable packaging are. The answer to the question of which packaging is sustainable or ecological depends on the perspective, i.e. the industry. Complex questions such as whether recyclable reusable packaging is more sustainable than products made from renewable raw materials make the answer even more difficult. The following criteria usually play a role in sustainable packaging.

The underlying material must be made from renewable raw materials, i.e. biomaterial. This means that it should be 100 & recyclable. Reusability is another important criterion. A short supply chain and lean production processes with minimal CO² emissions are a major challenge for companies, but an absolute must when producing sustainable packaging.

If you ask consumers, it is clear that they see the material used and biodegradability as the most important feature of sustainable packaging solutions. In particular, paper, cardboard and paperboard are classified as environmentally friendly for packaging to be sustainable. Surveys show that the majority prefer paper solutions, while plastics are seen as harmful to the environment due to their potential to pollute nature.

Furthermore, from a consumer perspective, the packaging must be easy to recycle. Single-material packaging that can be easily disposed of in the paper garbage can and fed into the recycling cycle therefore receives ideal ratings.

Many end customers want easy-to-understand labeling of sustainable outer packaging. Such symbols for sustainable packaging already exist in the form of eco-labels that are verified by certified bodies. In addition, there are also symbols that are not verified and therefore do not guarantee any material or recycling characteristics.

The most important recycling labels for environmentally friendly product packaging

The recycling mark, also known as the Möbius strip, stands for environmental compatibility and is recognized worldwide. It is a voluntary label. The three arrows depicted on it mean "reduce", "reuse" and "recycle" and indicate whether a product can be reused or how much recyclable material it contains.

"RESY" is a recycling system developed by producers, corrugated cardboard manufacturers and waste paper disposal companies in response to the Packaging Act of January 1, 2019. The symbol stands for the disposal and recycling of paper and cardboard packaging marked with it. This means that every carton with this symbol is 100% recyclable and will be recycled by the partners of the RESY organization for the disposal of recyclable materials. In this case, consumers can be sure that the packaging meets the requirements of the Packaging Act.

The PAP-20 symbol is a recycling code and consists of three arrows and a code in the middle. In addition to a number, the code also contains a material abbreviation, with PAP standing for paper and cardboard and 20 as a numerical cipher for corrugated cardboard. The code makes it easier to recycle the products. This symbol is also a voluntary label for sustainable packaging.

The FSC seal is a sign of environmental friendliness, is internationally recognized and is also very popular with German consumers. The abbreviation FSC stands for Forest Stewardship Council, the seal stands for sustainable forestry and may only be used by certified producers. The FSC label is divided into different types, each of which indicates the raw material from which the material was produced. FSC 100% is used to mark products that consist entirely of material from FSC-certified forests. This mainly applies to solid wood products such as furniture or sawn timber. Products made entirely from recycled material such as paper are labeled FSC Recycled. In contrast, the FSC Mix label is found on products that consist of a mix of materials - namely material from FSC-certified forests, recycled material and material from controlled sources. If the packaging is sustainable, the seal is often also found on it.

The "Blue Angel" symbol is an environmental label introduced by the German government and identifies particularly environmentally friendly products and services. The label is awarded by a jury made up of environmental and consumer associations, retailers, tradespeople, scientists and federal states. There are several assessment factors, including economy in the use of raw materials for production.

Recycled packaging and alternative shipping packaging as an investment in the future

When sustainable packaging is made from cardboard, you are protecting the environment and thus the basis of human life. This is why the German Packaging Act (VerpackG) was passed on January 1, 2019, which places a stronger focus on sustainably produced packaging. Accordingly, secondary packaging put into circulation must be registered with a central body and licensed for the dual disposal system. Since then, the recycling rates for paper and cardboard packaging have increased from 70% to 85%.

At first glance, however, investing in sustainable packaging often seems more expensive than investing in less environmentally friendly packaging. In fact, the production of sustainable packaging incurs comparatively high costs, but is also more resource-efficient. For example, no new raw materials are used in the production of reusable packaging and CO2 emissions are generally also lower.

In addition, the recycling process for a sustainable packaging solution also saves energy and resources. For example, as waste paper can be processed into new paper after disposal, fewer trees need to be felled for new production. In contrast, the production of conventional packaging materials requires large quantities of valuable natural resources. In addition, chemicals are often used in production, which can have negative consequences for nature and people.

The issue is even more relevant because the packaging industry produces an enormous amount of waste and therefore causes major pollution worldwide. As most packaging materials are not biodegradable, they pollute entire stretches of land and water - for decades or even longer.

Ultimately, sustainable shipping packaging production contributes to the preservation of our environment. And this is more important today than ever before: after all, the demand for new products is increasing more and more in view of the growing world population. The flow of goods moving around the globe as a result of globalization is growing and the strain on the planet and natural resources is already enormous.

For this reason, the relevance of sustainable products and sustainable consumption is also growing. It is up to us to use natural resources responsibly and avoid environmental pollution wherever possible. Environmental pollution caused by the packaging industry is a global problem. In recent years, the production of packaging materials has risen sharply, which has led to an increase in environmental pollution.

What materials make your package environmentally friendly?

For the sake of the environment and sustainability goals, it is a good idea to use environmentally friendly materials instead of plastic packaging, as this allows for sustainable packaging. These include the following options.

Recycled paper - Recycled paper is made from recycled waste paper, cardboard or carton. To produce it, the respective material is broken down into its individual fibers in a water bath until a thin pulp is formed. Subsequent cleaning removes foreign bodies such as graphite and color pigments from the pulp, which is then pressed into recycled paper. This means that no (new) trees have to be felled to produce recycled paper.

Grass paper packaging - Grass paper is not only easy to recycle, but can also be composted without any problems. The material also has other advantages: It is particularly tear-resistant and, like normal paper, can also be produced in different thicknesses. In addition, it has a very special feel and a special aesthetic due to the visible greenish grass fibers. The natural raw material makes grass paper an excellent choice for sustainable packaging. It can be used as padding material for packaging for natural cosmetics, but also for other sustainable packaging solutions.

Corn packaging chips - this is a 100% plant-based and therefore natural cushioning material that is made from the plant starch of corn with the addition of water. The packaging chips made from corn are made from renewable raw materials and are therefore completely biodegradable and compostable. If the material used for sustainable packaging is corn-based, the packaging chips can simply be disposed of in the organic waste garbage can. Just like the plastic alternative, corn chips are very light, flexible and impact-resistant, odorless and dust-free. They are therefore ideal for packaging electronics and other sensitive items. As they are very robust, the cushioning material made from corn starch can also be reused without any problems. Another advantage is the special S-shape, which prevents the so-called quicksand effect. This means that the packaged products do not sink to the bottom, but are held and secured by the corn chips.

The packaging industry is constantly evolving, which means that the search for new alternatives is constantly progressing. Stone paper is one of the newer representatives of sustainable packaging solutions. Stone paper consists of 80 percent limestone powder and 20 percent binder. While the limestone used for production is a waste product from quarries, the binder is either made from plastic from old plastic bottles or comes from corn or sugar cane waste. Stone paper is therefore a sustainable packaging material that requires much less energy and raw materials to produce than conventional cellulose paper.

Tissue paper - Tissue paper is 100 percent recyclable and compostable. It is characterized by a soft feel and a special crackling effect. The elegant surface texture makes it ideal for stylishly wrapping items or padding the packaging. Using tissue paper not only has advantages for sustainable packaging shipping, but should always be done if a professional appearance of the transported goods is desired.

Choose cardboard and paperboard packaging material for reasons of sustainability

When it comes to the sustainability of packaging materials, the advantages of corrugated cardboard as a paper product over plastic products are obvious. As corrugated cardboard is largely made from recycled materials such as old cardboard boxes or newspapers, it can itself be easily recycled. In addition, the production of corrugated cardboard has little impact on the environment, as neither color nor bleach are used. This eliminates the use of toxic chemicals during production and also conserves resources such as wood. By using recycled materials, the packaging materials are usually inexpensive and there is no need to buy new raw materials. Paper made from various types of wood can be used for production, including paper made from wood waste from various industrial processes. Between 70 and 100 percent of the paper used can be recycled, making corrugated cardboard an excellent circular product.

In terms of environmental friendliness, outer packaging made from corrugated cardboard is therefore far ahead of plastic packaging. However, recycled corrugated cardboard also offers other advantages: it is lightweight and easy to fold and transport. It is also very stable due to its corrugated structure and is ideal for protecting sensitive products during shipping. Regardless of whether you want to send a handy or rather bulky product, whether the product is robust or fragile - it can be transported without any problems using corrugated cardboard folding boxes. Corrugated cardboard is available in different thicknesses (1-, 2- or 3-wall). Just like plastic packaging, corrugated cardboard packaging can also be produced in individual sizes.

Sustainable packaging offers numerous advantages for consumers and companies. These include, above all, cost, durability and environmental friendliness. They also have the potential to increase productivity and improve supply chains.

First of all, sustainable packaging is considered environmentally friendly as it is produced from recycled and recyclable materials. Furthermore, sustainable product packaging is considered durable, meaning that companies have to pack less often. A longer lifespan of packaging materials reduces the risk of potential damage during storage and transportation and makes supply chains more efficient. Furthermore, local sourcing of packaging materials during production results in shorter supply chains for producers.

Our sustainable range for product packaging, cushioning material and co.

The Verpacking.com product range includes a variety of sustainable materials. Which products you want to use depends entirely on your shipping project. To make it easier for you to buy sustainable packaging, here is an example of how you can pack a shipment in a particularly environmentally friendly way.

As cardboard is a very sustainable material in itself, you can choose from our huge selection of cardboard boxes and are guaranteed to find the right packaging. Various filling and padding materials are available to protect your goods, such as corn packaging chips. Sensitive items can be safely stored and transported with them and cavities in boxes can also be filled without any problems. As the packaging material is made from 100% corn starch, it is completely biodegradable. The environmentally friendly corn chips are therefore compostable and can be easily disposed of, for example in the organic waste garbage can. You should therefore always use this filling material for your sustainable parcel packaging.

To cushion the items to be sent, you can either use our high-quality grass paper from the practical dispenser box measuring 37.5 cm x 200 m or the strong honeycomb paper. It is made entirely of paper and protects items in shipping boxes thanks to its shock-absorbing effect. It provides excellent cushioning and thus protects even sensitive goods from dents, abrasion and damage caused by external influences. As the honeycomb protective paper interlocks automatically thanks to its innovative structure, aids such as scissors or parcel tape are not required when wrapping the products.

However, it doesn't always have to be a cardboard box to fulfill your shipping requirements. Verpacking.com also offers sustainable alternatives for smaller consignments. The kraft paper shipping bag with bottom gusset is the ideal sustainable shipping packaging for online retailers. The shipping bag is made of high-quality kraft paper, offers sufficient space for shipping smaller goods and is lightweight. This environmentally friendly packaging is an ideal alternative to plastic bags. The bag is easy to open and close thanks to its self-adhesive strip and integrated tear-off perforation. The kraft paper is sustainable and is suitable for companies that want to reduce their own CO2 footprint.

The corrugated cardboard mailing bag, on the other hand, is suitable for sending catalogs, documents or angular goods with a flat outer shape. These include electronic items such as CDs or DVDs, which need to be protected from mechanical stress. A stable shape and secured edges offer the contents sufficient protection. This sustainable product packaging is extremely resilient and has a practical double closure system and a tear strip. The material used can be completely recycled apart from the adhesive. The raw materials used for the mailing bag come from sustainable forestry and no harmful substances are used in the production process.

Why finding a new packaging solution is necessary for a healthy environment

The packaging industry has a major impact on the environment. Not only the production of unpackaged goods, but also transportation and disposal lead to environmental pollution. Nevertheless, a large proportion of packaging solutions are still made of plastic, aluminum and other environmentally harmful materials. Unfortunately, it takes many years to break them down, which poses a risk to people, animals and the environment.

In 2019 alone, around 19 million tons of packaging waste were generated in Germany. The majority of this packaging - 8.3 million tons - is already made of paper, cardboard or carton. Plastic packaging is in second place with 3.2 million tons, followed by glass (3.1 million tons) and wood (3.3 million tons). A trend towards more environmentally friendly packaging is therefore emerging, but should continue to be supported.

Fortunately, more and more companies - including Verpacking.com - are focusing on recyclable and biodegradable packaging solutions. Our mission is also to produce packaging material that is made from plastic-free and recycled materials. We know that packaging has a big impact on the environment. While a lot of conventional outer packaging is not sustainable and has an environmental impact, sustainable packaging is designed to be used for a very long time. It is made from environmentally friendly materials and can be disposed of sustainably, for example in organic waste. Sustainable packaging can therefore achieve a lot: it conserves natural resources, reduces the amount of packaging waste and even avoids harmful CO2 emissions.

Consumers therefore have more and more opportunities to use plastic-free packaging products and thus reduce the negative impact of disposable materials on the environment. With the contemporary packaging solutions from Verpacking.com, everyone can make a contribution to living plastic-free and to recycling and reusing packaging.