Can you imagine a life without packaging? Absolutely not, and neither would you want to. Is it possible to reduce the amount of plastic in our lives? Not only is it possible but it is entirely necessary.
The omnipresent nature of packaging means that reducing plastic in this industry is essential to achieving a genuinely circular economy. Reduce, recycle and reuse. That is fundamentally imperative, but we need to do more. We need to research and make progress along new paths that can transform packaging into a fundamental component of a society that needs it to prosper.
RAFESA has therefore produced its Green Pack catalogue to individually highlight all the solutions it offers to its clients for progress towards a more circular industry. ‘Green’ plastics, glass, wood, cork… What options will define the future of this industry and the planet?
The RAFESA guide highlights Green HDPE first of all, a product that is made from sugar cane. This material reduces fossil fuel consumption by using plant-based raw materials. Its production also requires less energy. It is perfect for fluid cosmetic products and large formats intended for professional use
The second product highlighted in the catalogue is HDPE made from post-consumer recycled materials (PCR). In essence, these are reprocessed plastics made from domestic or commercial waste that also significantly reduce the use of new plastic materials and the associated fossil fuel consumption. Due to its composition and production process, this material also provides the same properties to container products made from virgin material.
Thirdly, the RAFESA catalogue highlights the most widely recycled plastic in the world that is also 100% recyclable: recycled PET. Committing to Recycled PET minimises the carbon footprint stemming from its production and produces very light and transparent containers that are suitable for all kinds of uses. Regenerated polypropylene (PP) is another material considered in this section, which is known for its added strength and for meeting certain more specific requirements.
Wild Glass: when organic is trending
Glass is very important to RAFESA. It is something that can be fully recycled an endless number of times, making it one of the most environmentally friendly materials around. RAFESA has committed to two types of glass material: Wild Glass and recycled glass. The aesthetic imperfections and authentic colour of the former give it an organic personality that is already a strong market trend. However, this material is also highly efficient, and efficiency is one of the main pillars of environmental sustainability. Why is it so efficient? Because Wild Glass uses every bottle regardless of aesthetic imperfections, thereby reducing any impact from discards.
The latter, recycled glass, is made from post-consumer glass (60%) and manufacturing rejects (30%). Using recycled glass reduces waste volumes, the extraction of new raw materials and the associated soil erosion.
Finally, 2022 will be a year in which wood consolidates its position as a benchmark material in the sustainable packaging industry. Considered to be the quintessential natural material, it is fully compostable and it leaves no environmental footprint whatsoever. On the one hand, RAFESA offers totally watertight wooden stoppers with a compostable interior made from FSC-certified timber sources and minimum environmental footprint. On the other hand, the company offers wooden stoppers with a cork interior. These are an organic, warm and elegant option that brings a unique premium finish to any container.
We offer all these options to our clients so we can align ourselves with a sustainable approach to business and engage in real and effective environmental care.
At RAFESA, this commitment forms an integral part of our strategy.
