In 50 years, the right paper will still do the job

Supporting the recycling loop

The essence of a circular economy lies in the smart and repeated use of materials. The EU commission emphasizes the importance of maximizing the usage of packaging resources. In Europe, paper-based packaging excels in recovery and recycling efficiency, with more than 70,5% of paper and board being recycled.**

*The Recyclability of cartonboard and Carton, Dr Rene Eckhart, Technische Universität Graz, 2021.
** European Paper Recycling Council (EPRC) – Monitoring Report 2022

Sustainable packaging material and paper production

Sustainable premium packaging material made of long, strong fiber is so clean and strong that it can protect both food and medical devices without any risk of contamination. Later, when this high-quality packaging goes into the recycling mill and is disintegrated, it increases the quality of the recycled paper.

In a separate recycling mill, the sorted and classified paper is handled to become new paper. The paper is teared to shreds and mixed with water for maximum disintegration. In every loop, the fiber is deformed and shortened, and each drying step when making paper and board hardens the fiber and makes it hard to use for quality paper. From then on, the pulp can be formed into recycled paper for less demanding tasks, such as egg cartons or tissue, up to 25 times.

Producers and consumers

The paper is transported to companies who produce the actual packaging. Sometimes paper is sent to a separate converter, who uses a specialized packaging treatment, e.g. heat-seal, coating and printing. All producers of packaging have Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) to pay for the disposal of their packaging. Recycled paper comes in many classifications, and for contents like food or medical devices, the cleanliness demanded makes recycled fibers inappropriate.

Once the paper packaging is used, it becomes the responsibility of the consumer to take care of it. The paper must be disposed of and collected in the correct way in order to be used again. With 71%* of consumers actively taking part in recycling, and 71%* also choosing products based on packaging sustainability, we can see a willingness among consumers to support recycling efforts.

*2023 Buying Green Report

Collection and loss of mass

When the consumer has used the packaging, it’s important that it is pre-sorted as paper waste. The current recycling rate for paper in Europe is 70,5% – that’s well ahead of the rest of the world, with an average global recycling rate of 59,9% in 2021, according to the CEPI Monitoring Report 2022.

It’s not possible to achieve 100% recycling because the loop leaks here and there. Collection practices and consumer behavior are not perfect, and the recycling mill cannot use fibers that have become too short after previous tough treatments.

Again, and again, and again – to reach your sustainability goals

Every protective packaging must withstand wear and tear (time, climate and load) in delivery chains. Packaging material from long, strong fiber is ideal for this, since it’s stronger than recycled paper. The packaging can be made thinner and lighter, and still give perfect protection. A lighter packaging results in a reduction of up to 40% of the total CO₂ emissions, compared to a standard European solution**.

** According to internal calculations

A broad perspective on sustainability

To succeed in sustainability, it’s not enough for a company to focus on fossil fuel use alone. You need to take a broad approach. Choosing your paper packaging wisely, and considering its longevity, can bring you closer to your sustainability goals.

Read here how we can help your brand become more sustainable.