Of the 15 billion lost trees, only 5 billion are replanted. The intergovernmental Panel that tackles climate change have estimated that 23% of anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions came from agriculture, forestry and other land use between 2007-2016. 11% of all greenhouse gas emissions are primarily generated from deforestation.

Deforestation is currently responsible for around 10% of all global warming. Therefore the current climate crisis of global warming cannot be stopped without putting an end to cutting down trees. As trees absorb and store carbon dioxide, when forests are disturbed, carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases are released into the atmosphere. It’s crucial we take action now!

Here is a quick explainer video on how trees are helping shape the future of our planet, by Woodland Trust.

What if packaging could be manufactured to offer the exact same quality, strength and appearance of corrugated board but without cutting down any trees at all? Our RAW packaging range is just that! RAW packaging is made using agricultural waste and can reduce carbon emissions by 28%! The launch of RAW is a refreshing and invigorating step towards sustainability.

Download our buyer guide:

You can make the switch to sustainable zero tree packaging. Download our buyers guide for a little more insight into what zero tree packaging is and how it can revolutionise the packaging industry. 

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Understanding deforestation-free supply chain

A deforestation-free supply chain refers to a commitment by companies to eliminate any contribution to deforestation in their entire supply chain. Particularly in the context of packaging or paper production. This means pledging to use zero trees in the creation of their packaging materials, thereby actively addressing the ecological consequences of deforestation.

The urgency behind the movement

The Earth’s ecosystems are under strain due to various factors, including population growth and escalating demand for resources. The conversion of natural habitats into farmland has become a concerning consequence of these pressures. Trees and forests, crucial components of these ecosystems, play a pivotal role in safeguarding biodiversity and mitigating climate change.

Over the past decade, the realisation has dawned that tackling deforestation only after it occurs is insufficient. The imperative lies in adopting sustainable sourcing practices to avert further habitat loss. This approach not only benefits the environment but also has positive implications for communities relying on forests for their livelihoods.

Companies like Nestle, Unilever and Tesco are all making commitments to become deforestation-free within their supply chains. It won’t be long until more businesses will take the next step from carbon savings to deforestation-free commitments.

Introducing tree free packaging

As businesses seek to align with deforestation-free supply chains, innovative solutions are emerging to redefine traditional practices. One such solution is Tree Free packaging, a ground-breaking concept that draws from agricultural waste to create sustainable packaging alternatives. This packaging is made entirely from crop waste, such as wheat straw or sugar cane from Indian farms, diverting these by-products from landfills.

Tree Free packaging such as RAW or Crop Waste Packaging exhibits a notably reduced carbon emissions footprint. When compared to Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) European paper, RAW Packaging demonstrates a carbon emissions reduction of approximately 28%. This reduction highlights the environmental benefits of utilising agricultural waste materials over conventional paper sources.

The paper it produces is converted to board and outperforms recycled paper with strength, meaning businesses can lower the GSM used to make boxes. The agricultural waste packaging is made using virgin fibres, whereas traditional cartons use a mix of virgin and recycled fibres. As an example, a typical 0201 double wall carton is commonly 150GSM for a medium sized/weight box. Using crop waste fibres allows you to lower this to 120GSM and even 90GSM in some cases.

With the strength, performance, quality and printability all either the same or better than traditional wood fibre packaging – what would stop businesses from making the change?

In conclusion, the adoption of a deforestation-free supply chain represents a critical step in combating the global challenges posed by deforestation. It’s a commitment that goes beyond words. Reflecting businesses’ dedication to responsible practices and the well-being of both ecosystems and societies. As innovative solutions like Tree Free packaging come to the forefront, the potential to revolutionise industries while protecting our planet becomes increasingly tangible.

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Regardless of a business’s scale, the actions taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions contribute to a greener future. However, achieving a significant reduction in carbon emissions is not an overnight endeavour. It requires a determined effort to evaluate each aspect of the company and implement eco-friendly solutions.

Understanding the “Carbon Footprint” Concept

The term “carbon footprint” refers to the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere as a result of various activities. For instance, driving a car fuelled by carbon-based sources emits carbon dioxide. Similarly, the production and use of a plastic packaging release carbon emissions at various stages. Including production, transportation, and sourcing. Each activity contributes to greenhouse gas emissions.

This concept holds true for businesses as well. Every company consumes energy to conduct operations, provide services, and manufacture products. The goal today is to reduce these emissions to foster a more sustainable environment.

Exploring Effective Strategies to Reduce Carbon Footprint

Quantify Your Company’s Carbon Footprint: The first step is to measure your company’s carbon emissions. This establishes a baseline for current emissions, facilitating the identification of areas for improvement and the formulation of sustainable practices.

Adopt Renewable Energy Sources: Transitioning to renewable energy sources is a pivotal starting point. Many energy providers now offer green energy options. Explore renewable energy plans with your current provider or consider switching to one that guarantees energy from renewable sources.

Switch to Sustainable Packaging Options: There are many eco-friendly packaging materials on the market, but ensuring you are using the correct amount and the material is backed up by an Life Cycle Assessment. Innovations such as crop waste packaging/agricultural waste packaging, have proven to reduce carbon emissions by up to 28%. This would be a quick win for any businesses looking to improve their packaging’s sustainability. Businesses can also showcase their investment in environmentally friendly options.

Embrace the Three Rs – Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: Incorporate the principles of reduce, reuse, and recycle across all aspects of your business. Apply these concepts to office supplies, processes, packaging, and more to minimise waste and environmental impact.

Partner with Sustainable Suppliers: Choose suppliers who prioritise sustainable practices. Look for certifications like ISO 14001, Planet Mark commitments and those that indicate environmentally responsible operations.

Shift to Online Meetings and Events: In the age of hybrid work models, online meetings and events reduce the need for travel, curbing emissions associated with commuting.

Invest in Green Office Equipment: Transition to energy-efficient office equipment, such as LED lighting, energy-saving appliances, and devices with power-saving modes. These seemingly small changes collectively contribute to significant energy conservation.

A Complete Approach Toward Sustainability

These strategies, when collectively adopted, can lead to a substantial reduction in your business’s carbon footprint. It’s important to acknowledge that each step, no matter how incremental, contributes to the greater goal of sustainability. Before embarking on a sustainability journey, conduct a comprehensive audit of your company’s emissions. This baseline data will serve as a reference point for measuring progress and identifying areas that require targeted interventions.

By implementing these strategies and embracing an environmentally conscious mindset, businesses can effectively mitigate their carbon emissions and foster a brighter, greener future for all.

Test Valley Packaging recently launched packaging made entirely from agricultural waste. Using virgin fibres from crop waste such as wheat and sugar cane that would usually be disposed of by incineration or landfill, while occasionally being used for an energy source. This innovation has proven to save up to 28% on carbon emissions and for products such as cartons, can be easily switched over without any affect to your supply chain, quality or performance. If anything it has proven to be stronger than traditional wood fibre FSC packaging thanks to the use of virgin fibres and not recycled fibres.

If your business is looking to reach new sustainability targets and would like to explore crop waste packaging, please get in touch with our team here or call us on 01264 598400

The post 7 Effective Strategies for Businesses to Minimise Carbon Emissions appeared first on Test Valley Packaging.

At Test Valley we believe wherever possible, all packaging should be planet-friendly, which is why we have invested in RAW packaging, which is made from the waste generated by sugar cane plantations. Launched in 2022, RAW packaging (which stands for Reusing Agricultural Waste) is our most sustainable product yet!

Turning waste into paper

Sugar cane agriculture generates vast amounts of waste materials which in many cases is left to compost or is burnt, but modern processes have been developed to convert this waste into paper or card.

It really is a win-win situation, the farmers now receive a payment for their waste, and we receive an end-product (paper and card) that is sustainable and environmentally friendly. This means less deforestation and replanting and less toil for the farmers in disposing of a waste or bi-product that can be made into a useable item. In fact, the processes involved in converting the bi-product into card and paper are less energy consuming than making paper from wood pulp, so we produce less CO2, in fact 28% less!

The end product performance equals that of paper from wood pulp which has meant that we can manufacture high quality packaging as well as copier paper. It can also be recycled in the paper stream or composted via industrial waste streams, giving it equal circularity.

Reducing deforestation is more than planting trees

Paper can be manufactured from many fibrous plant sources such as hemp, bamboo and sugar cane, all of which grow quickly, and in abundance, and are replanted annually.

Because of the quantity of paper produced, the abundance of wood, and the amount of fibre per kg, it is still the most common material source for paper and card. Most manufacturers or forestry management companies will now plant two trees for every one cut down. Whilst trees are a renewable source, growth is slower than other potential crops, but the density of wood still means trees provide the most fibre per square metre.

Buying RAW packaging from Test Valley Packaging means that you are supporting farmers in India to re-use product that would otherwise be discarded as waste. Plus, you’d be buying a product with much lower carbon emissions than paper from wood pulp. For more information visit https://testvalleypkg.co.uk/agricultural-waste-packaging/

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Our stand has been thriving, with big brands joining us to talk about the true meaning of sustainable packaging. RAW can offer many benefits to a business, such as Fairtrade, circular economy, reduced deforestation and much more… we won’t spoil the surprise so come on down and have a chat with the RAW team!

Click here to download our latest eBook and watch the explainer videos to see how it’s made and why it’s the future of packaging.

The post Test Valley exhibit agricultural waste packaging at Responsible Packaging Expo 2022 appeared first on Test Valley Packaging.

Packaging Europe, one of Europes leading sources for packaging news shared our recent story, you can read it here: https://packagingeurope.com/news/test-valley-packaging-and-envopap-unveil-packaging-made-from-sugar-cane-waste/8896.article

Sustainable Packaging News, another leading source that focuses on sustainable solutions shared our story on their website. Take a look here: https://spnews.com/test-valley-biobased/

We are looking forward to this new product being shared far and wide, giving businesses the opportunity to bring their sustainability to the next level.

Want to know more about our RAW Packaging range?

Our range of RAW packaging is made from agricultural waste, it really is RAW! Manufactured in exactly the same way as corrugated board, with the same capabilities and recycled in exactly the same way. Read more in our eBook below or visit our dedicated RAW Page.

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

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