In an era marked by growing environmental awareness, businesses are taking significant steps to ensure their practices align with sustainable principles. One such initiative gaining traction is the concept of a deforestation-free supply chain. In this blog, we’ll delve into what a deforestation-free supply chain entails. Exploring the driving forces behind its adoption, and introduce an innovative solution known as Tree Free packaging.

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.