The world of packaging is taking a step in a new direction, producing products such as paper, cartons and mailing bags from agricultural crop waste fibres. But how does it compare to traditional wood fibre packaging? Our planet is going through a tough time.

Global temperatures rising, sea levels rising and a range of damaging effects that are caused by our day-to-day practices. It’s inevitable that humanity will continue innovating new alternatives to prevent these effects, or at least slow them down.

Deforestation and forest degradation are important drivers of climate change and biodiversity loss — the two key environmental challenges of our time. According to the United Nations, 420 million hectares of forest was lost between 1990 and 2020, that’s an area larger than the European Union!

As it stands, we cut down a massive 15 billion trees every single year, 60% of which goes to make paper and board, with only 5 billion being 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 overall 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!

What if packaging could be manufactured to offer the exact same quality, strength and appearance of corrugated boards but without cutting down any trees at all?The launch of agricultural crop waste packaging is a refreshing and invigorating step towards sustainability, but how does it compare to traditional packaging?

Agricultural crop waste packaging compared to traditional wood-fibre packaging:

How it’s made:

• Made from reusing crop waste that would otherwise be incinerated, put into landfill or in some occasions a small amount is using to provide energy to
  buildings.
• The exact same process for making traditional paper, is used for making agri-waste paper with a very slight increase in water usage.
• It uses zero trees in the entire process

Performance:

• Agri-waste paper when converted to packaging such as board, acts stronger because the fibres are virgin as opposed to recycled. Meaning a lower board grade can be used to create stronger boxes.
• Printing, quality and styles are all exactly the same as traditional wood fibre products

Sustainability

• An LCA completed on crop-waste paper shows a reduction in carbon emissions by 28% compared to wood-fibre paper.
• Reduces deforestation, the more agri-waste packaging is recognised, the more forests will start to thrive.
• Prevents loss of biodiversity and protects nature by not disturbing forests.
• A by-product of crop that is used for food, meaning the land that is used to collect the waste is being utilised correctly.

Supply Chain

• There is a huge supply of crop waste available, 140Mt (Metric Tonnes) of Indian crop waste is either burnt up into the atmosphere or put into landfill.
• Supply from India has been trialled and tested by RAW Packaging, with paper available now in the UK and a short lead time from the paper mills.
• UK Trusted packaging suppliers and board corrugators are used through the process.

Accreditations

• The paper can be tracked all the way from waste collection on Indian farms.
• Specific farms that are used have been Fairtrade certified.
• An LCA has been completed using ISO14040, SimaPro9 and eco-invent. The collection of data was completed through a field assessment.

Overall, crop waste is a serious contender for creating packaging. Already in use by some of the UK’s most sustainable corporations.

We will continue to see an increase in alternative fibres to the traditional wood-fibre, as deforestation and the planets climate become increasingly at risk.

For businesses that are looking to reach new sustainability targets and goals, such as Eco-Vardis, B-Corp, Carbon Net Zero – RAW packaging will help reduce carbon footprint, show sustainable initiative, create an incredible marketing message to appeal to new and future generations.