Paper Packaging – The Natural Choice

In recent years, the wider business community has evolved. It has developed an increased awareness of corporate responsibility and accepts its accountability for maintaining standards of ethical, social and environmental performance.

The paper, packaging and allied industries recognise a responsibility to continually improve their environmental credentials and also address consumer concerns about the environmental impacts of their products. Consumer, business and political interest in the packaging debate has never been so apparent. Now is the time to ensure that the fundamental sustainable attributes of paper packaging are actively communicated to all those for whom paper touches their lives every day. Paper packaging is durable, attractive, renewable and recyclable and will be an invaluable material as we move towards a regenerative, circular economy. This booklet sets out 7 powerful reasons why paper packaging is the natural choice for brands, retailers and consumers.

Well-designed, efficiently produced, appropriately used and responsibly disposed of packaging provides multiple benefits. It’s essential for minimising damage to products and extending their useful life, so that all the resources used to make those products are not wasted. It allows efficient distribution and safe and convenient access to goods. It communicates vital information to the customer and it can provide pleasure to those receiving gifts or enjoying luxury items.

Excessive and inappropriate use of materials, or thoughtless disposal, cannot be excused, but it’s important to consider each packaging solution on its own merits and in relation to the job it has to do.

Paper packaging is the natural choice for minimal environmental impact and provides an effective and sustainable packaging solution.

Our packaging industry plays a critical role in protecting and preserving goods… in the food sector, the industry also has an essential role in preventing waste.

Thérèse Coffey, UK Environment Minister, 2017.

The high recyclability of Paper and Cardboard can also help consumers to ‘do their bit’ by allowing responsible disposal and maximum recycling.

Sustainable packaging is also the preferred solution with 96% of brand owners and retailers stating that the use of sustainable packaging is important to their business with just over half (52%) saying this is either ‘very important’ or ‘critical’.

Pro Carton / Smithers PIRA, 2017.

Paper offers inspiration – a widely used and recyclable packaging material that is relatively benign if leaked into the environment.

World Economic Forum, 2016.

Paper packaging (which includes paper, card, corrugated cardboard, cartons and sacks) is often the sustainable packaging choice. Its key raw material, wood fibre, is a renewable resource and it’s also the most recycled of all packaging materials.

The European paper industry can demonstrate a long-held commitment to resource efficiency and to minimising its contribution to climate change.

Well-designed, efficiently produced, appropriately used and responsibly disposed of packaging provides multiple benefits. It’s essential for minimising damage to products and extending their useful life, so that all the resources used to make those products are not wasted. It allows efficient distribution and safe and convenient access to goods. It communicates vital information to the customer and it can provide pleasure to those receiving gifts or enjoying luxury items.

Excessive and inappropriate use of materials, or thoughtless disposal, cannot be excused, but it’s important to consider each packaging solution on its own merits and in relation to the job it has to do.

Paper packaging is the natural choice for minimal environmental impact and provides an effective and sustainable packaging solution.

Our packaging industry plays a critical role in protecting and preserving goods… in the food sector, the industry also has an essential role in preventing waste.

Thérèse Coffey, UK Environment Minister, 2017.

The high recyclability of Paper and Cardboard can also help consumers to ‘do their bit’ by allowing responsible disposal and maximum recycling.

Sustainable packaging is also the preferred solution with 96% of brand owners and retailers stating that the use of sustainable packaging is important to their business with just over half (52%) saying this is either ‘very important’ or ‘critical’.

Pro Carton / Smithers PIRA, 2017.

Paper offers inspiration – a widely used and recyclable packaging material that is relatively benign if leaked into the environment.

World Economic Forum, 2016.

Paper packaging (which includes paper, card, corrugated cardboard, cartons and sacks) is often the sustainable packaging choice. Its key raw material, wood fibre, is a renewable resource and it’s also the most recycled of all packaging materials.

The European paper industry can demonstrate a long-held commitment to resource efficiency and to minimising its contribution to climate change.