RAW Sustainability

Why have we invested in agricultural waste packaging?

Test Valley are always looking for new ways to bring sustainable solutions to our customers. With the recent Plastic Tax and EPR announcement, it is inevitable that businesses will need to switch to more sustainable materials.

With over 40+ years in the packaging industry, Test Valley are often ahead of the game when it comes to innovation. We have a team of new product developers who research the market with the environment as the main focus.

Although paper is recognised as a sustainable alternative to plastic, it does still have it’s downsides. Deforestation, which is the clearing of forests for other uses such as agriculture, urbanisation, or logging, has numerous negative impacts on the environment, including the following:

1. 1. Loss of biodiversity: Deforestation destroys habitats for numerous plant and animal species, leading to a loss of biodiversity. The destruction of forests can lead to the extinction of certain species, disrupting the balance of ecosystems.
   2. Climate change: Forests play a critical role in regulating the Earth’s climate by absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. When forests are cut down, this carbon is released into the atmosphere, contributing to global warming and climate change.
   3. Soil erosion: Trees help to anchor soil, preventing erosion and landslides. Without them, rain can cause soil to wash away, degrading the quality of soil and making it difficult for plants to grow.
   4. Water cycle disruption: Trees help to regulate the water cycle, releasing water into the atmosphere through a process called transpiration. Deforestation disrupts this process, leading to reduced rainfall and water availability.
   5. Loss of indigenous cultures: Forests are often home to indigenous communities, who rely on them for their livelihoods and cultural traditions. Deforestation can lead to the displacement and marginalization of these communities, as well as the loss of their traditional knowledge.
   6. Air and water pollution: Deforestation can lead to increased air and water pollution from the use of heavy machinery and the burning of forests. This can have negative impacts on human health and the environment.

Overall, deforestation for paper production has numerous negative impacts on the environment. So what if we could create the same material, but without cutting down a single tree? 

We saw an opportunity to reduce deforestation, help create a circular economy and lower the carbon emissions of packaging products. In partnership with envoPAP & RH Fibreboard, we became the first UK producers of ZERO TREE, agri-waste packaging.

Whilst eliminating trees entirely from the process, we are also using a crop waste that would usually be disposed of in landfill or incineration, benefiting once again by offsetting the carbon.

In conclusion, we found an alternative that in every way, was a more sustainable option for our planet. Our RAW journey is bringing new light to different environmental benefits each month! We are really looking forward to bringing the world a better solution.

RAW Packaging Sustainability

Our RAW Packaging is an innovative and sustainable packaging solution that is made from agricultural waste from crops such as sugar cane and wheat located on Indian farms. By utilising waste materials that would otherwise go to landfill or incinerated, we are able to reduce the environmental impact of the packaging and create a more sustainable future for all.

What’s more, our RAW Packaging has been independently tested using ISO 14040, SimaPro9 and ecoinvent to measure its environmental impact. The results of the ‘cradle to grave’ LCA (Life Cicle Assessment) show that the paper reduces carbon emissions by 28% compared to traditional wood fibre paper. This means that by choosing RAW Packaging, you are not only making a more sustainable choice, you are significantly reducing your carbon footprint and environmental impact.

We are proud to be at the forefront of sustainable packaging solutions and are committed to reducing our impact on the environment. Our RAW Packaging is just one of the ways in which we are striving to create a more sustainable future for generations to come.