{"id":61934,"date":"2022-06-09T13:52:48","date_gmt":"2022-06-09T11:52:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/packaging-journal.de\/?p=61934"},"modified":"2022-06-09T13:52:48","modified_gmt":"2022-06-09T11:52:48","slug":"english-2022-4-5-silence","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/packaging-journal.de\/en\/english-2022-4-5-schweig\/","title":{"rendered":"No sustainability strategy, no sustainable packaging"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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There is no getting around the issue of sustainability, whether as a consumer or as a producer. The packaging industry is also concerned about the sensible use of raw materials. But where do you start? Carolina E. Schweig, a graduate engineer and packaging consultant, knows. For our focus, she looked into the topics of sustainability and green packaging.<\/strong><\/p>

If you search the internet with the keyword „green packaging“, the focus of this special, you will find a list of results. After a closer look, the ecological advantage of most of the mentions turns out to be doubtful. With terms like „compostable“ or „plastic-free“, companies and brands want to give the impression that they are actively addressing the environmental impact of their packaging. Regardless of whether the products are actually „plastic-free“ or compostable and whether these statements are in any way purposeful. This approach stems from a deep lack of understanding of sustainability, namely that of an outwardly worn „green coat“.<\/strong> Sustainability, however, when understood in its original sense, offers future viability through economic efficiency!<\/p>

In view of the currently noticeable tension on the raw materials and energy markets, as well as the associated bottlenecks and price increases, it is time to discover sustainability in its true form and apply it to one’s own company.<\/strong><\/p>

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Sustainability is the approach to maintaining our raw material and energy supply in the years to come. Let’s briefly recall original the concept of sustainability, which originated in forestry and aimed to utilise only so many trees that the forest itself would not be endangered in its function and existence<\/strong>. Transferred to our modern times, it is about the responsible use of raw materials and thus also packaging materials as well as their multiple uses. This includes sorting and processing technology that is geared towards the high-quality reuse of the recovered raw materials. However, it also involves looking at raw material extraction and the yield or loss of raw material and energy across the entire value chain.<\/strong><\/p>

Yes, the term „sustainability“ has arrived in the middle of society. „Consumers“ quite generally expect a certain „sustainability“ from products and companies: according to current figures from GfK (Growth from Knowledge<\/a>), more than two thirds (68 percent) of Germans demand that companies behave as environmentally conscious as possible, for example by using environmentally friendly materials. Often, this supposedly clear market pressure is met without reflection and without a fundamental strategy<\/strong>: Well-recyclable plastic packaging is replaced by fresh-fibre-based „paper packaging“ or advertising claims of „100 % recyclate“ or to „100 % recyclable“ are copied by market competitors.<\/p>