CROCCO’s Post

Discussions around sustainability are incredibly common these days, making the use of recycled plastic packaging increasingly popular for businesses. In our latest blog, we dive into Post-Industrial Recycled (PIR) Resin, how the recycling process works, and what are the benefits. #Sustainability #SustainablePackaging #Recycling #EcoFriendlyPackaging #PackagingSolutions

News! Vieser is taking steps towards a circular economy by bringing recycled plastic into the production of casting shields. ♻️ Increasing the use of recycled materials is a key sustainability goal for Vieser. Check out the product upgrade here: https://lnkd.in/dawbqqcN #CircularEconomy #Sustainability #RecycledPlastic #Vieserliving #kestäväkehitys #kiertotalous

🪅Difference between virgin plastic and recycled plastic🪅 The difference between virgin plastic and recycled plastic lies at the heart of modern sustainable manufacturing. ⭕️Virgin plastic is newly produced from raw materials, offering unmatched purity, consistency, and mechanical strength, making it ideal for demanding applications. 🔴In contrast, recycled plastic is reprocessed from used plastic products, providing an eco-friendly alternative that reduces waste and conserves resources. 🔺️Understanding the difference between virgin plastic and recycled plastic is crucial for industries seeking to balance performance with environmental responsibility. Let’s go into more detail about each of these aspects to give you a fuller understanding of the differences between virgin and recycled plastic:

(USA 19.07.24) #mushrooms Monterey Mushrooms Showcases New Packaging in Exclusive Video [AG: From Clear to Circular - The Future of Mushroom Packaging] Monterey Mushrooms has introduced new sustainable packaging for its products, showcasing it in an exclusive video. The company has enhanced the recyclability of its packaging by incorporating near-infrared sortable (NIR) material in its recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) tills. Key features of the new packaging include: • 100% post-consumer recycled materials sourced from North America • Reduced plastic waste in landfills • Contribution to a circular economy • Proper sorting and recycling capabilities due to NIR sortable content The use of rPET with NIR sortable colorant may offer long-term cost advantages compared to other colors, including clear rPET. This initiative aligns with Monterey Mushrooms' commitment to sustainability, as the production of recycled PET requires significantly less energy and water compared to virgin PET.By implementing this new packaging, Monterey Mushrooms aims to not only package their products but also contribute to a greener future for the industry and environment. ----- [AG: Monterey Mushrooms has recently introduced new sustainable packaging, incorporating near-infrared (NIR) sortable material in their recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) tills. This innovation enhances recyclability and supports a circular economy by using 100% post-consumer recycled materials sourced from North America. The use of NIR sortable content ensures that the packaging can be properly sorted and recycled into new products, significantly reducing plastic waste and carbon emissions. In contrast, Australian mushrooms are still being packaged and retailed in clear rPET packaging https://lnkd.in/g6H6y-_h https://lnkd.in/gpyMZRHy. While clear rPET is recyclable, it is considered less sustainable compared to the innovative approach taken by Monterey Mushrooms. The clear rPET packaging lacks the advanced sorting capabilities provided by NIR technology, which can lead to inefficiencies in the recycling process. As Australia aims to meet its national targets for recyclable, reusable or compostable packaging by 2025, adopting more advanced and sustainable packaging solutions, similar to Monterey Mushrooms' NIR sortable rPET tills, could play a crucial role in achieving these goals.] ----- https://lnkd.in/grurhuBA

Eco-dilemma: Recycled vs. Recyclable Why Recycled Doesn’t Always Mean Recyclable As we push to make trophies as sustainable as possible, we face this key dilemma. Our latest blog post explores the challenges and steps we’re taking to address this. Key insights: ♻ Material choices: Recycled plastics like PP, PE, and PET have low CO2 footprints and bring beautiful textures. But combining different plastics for creative effects complicates recycling, as most facilities only process monomaterial or thin walled items. 🎨 Balancing creativity and sustainability: Using a single type of plastic would simplify recycling but limits design options. Balancing sustainability with creative freedom is essential to keeping designs unique and impactful. 🔄 Return program: A return program allows customers to send back trophies for recycling or reuse. Even trophies from other brands can be given a second life. While effective, the program has challenges, including transportation emissions and increased costs. From waste to glory Every piece of waste holds the potential to become a meaningful, sustainable statement piece. A material-first approach, locally sourced recycled materials, and a commitment to modern craftsmanship can help set a new standard in sustainable design, one trophy at a time. For the full story you can go to the Upstream Trophies insights page: https://lnkd.in/e6b2pQbk Want to receive monthly updates on these kinds of challenges, product design and sustainable materials? Subscribe to the Upstream Trophies newsletter: https://lnkd.in/eJcFmyHv Shout out to rein janssen for the fantastic photo

The Three R’s in ecoBirdy’s Packaging 📦 In the same way as our furniture, our packaging is produced with respect for the planet and people too. To minimise the environmental impact of our merchandise, we apply the three Rs: reduce, reuse, and recycle. ecoBirdy uses a minimum amount of packaging material. The packaging we do use is smartly designed to limit the amount of resources consumed. In addition, we only use recycled materials and they are all sourced within Europe, primarily in Belgium. We avoid single-use plastics: - 90% of packaging materials used by ecoBirdy are paper-related and are made of recycled paper.  - Among the 10% unavoidable plastic-related packaging materials, all are recycled or reclaimed. We use recycled plastic film and reclaimed bubble wraps for overseas orders to protect the products during a long transportation journey. We reuse packaging materials as many times as possible for internal transportation and logistics. Any excess packaging material is offered to the local community free of charge so it can be reused again. ecoBirdy's goal is to transform waste into beautiful and functional products. Using recycled packaging contributes to our mission to create a more sustainable world. https://lnkd.in/eDV6QFUr #Sustainability #SustainablePackaging #RecycledMaterials #RecycledPackaging #RecyclablePackaging #ecoBirdy #BCorp

Soda in a recycled plastic bottle or a glass bottle? Which option will enable a greener future? As we continue to advocate for a more sustainable, more circular future, it's crucial to scrutinize the materials shaping our daily lives. In our latest blog post, we take small, introductory step into the timeless question: glass or plastic? At first thought, glass and its infinite recyclability seem to be the obvious choice. It can be crushed, melted and produced without losing its quality or purity. Recycled glass definitely ticks many boxes on the recycling and sustainability checklist. However, this is merely the tip of the iceberg. For brands trying to meet various environmental and sustainability targets, there's more to the equation. Check out our latest blog article to see a starting point: https://rb.gy/ppnhhm

Insightful. I do think, there is where life cycle assessment (LCA) becomes an interesting and valuable tool for decision-makers. Of course, the practicability, and how convenient the most sustainable option appears, is the next point to focus on.

"Humans produced twice as much plastic waste in 2019 as 20 years earlier, plastics use was rising significantly, and only nine percent was recycled, the study found. The figure for Oceania was even more dire: seven percent recycled, with 75 percent of plastics landfilled and a further seven percent ending up as litter on land or in the oceans." - Nikki Mandow at the The University of Auckland - see link for full article. Whilst we wait for circular solutions to be developed to capture waste from recycling streams and upcycle into new products, we as consumers, growers, manufacturers, distributors and retailers must slow down the waste stream and design out waste where we can, now. How to tackle issues can feel daunting, and so overwhelming that it feels impossible to make a start, much less impact. Yet we can. Find that piece in your business that you can re-think, re-design or remove. Reducing and minimising waste may even help your business' bottom line. Lots of small changes, can collectively make big impact. Can New Zealand and greater Oceania help find circular solutions to be applied globally? Based on past and present projects and intiatives, it's an overwhelming YES. In the article UofA cites the NZ Wine Industry as one significant example as the wine industry shifted from cork to screwcap between 2000-2001. Resolving to address cork taint issues resulted in a seismic shift in manufacturing that eliminated wine cork taint 100% with the additional bonus of reducing plastic capsules (where used) from the waste stream. John Belsham of Foxes Island Wines was one of the individuals who drove the cork to screwcap initative in New Zealand. I have heard him say multiple times, "once they understood the science, it was a no-brainer". Screwcaps would eliminate cork taint, offer a sustainable closure option, and allow wines to age in ideal container conditions. The NZ screwcap initative has been studied extensively, as it was a case of finding a new application of an exisiting product (the screwcap) that solved a significant problem and became a positive industry disrupter. However, NZ did not do it alone, the NZ initiative benefited from sharing the collective knowledge gained and research conducted by the Australian wine industry. Wine Australia Although screwcaps are aluminum, they are infinitely recyclable and like glass will utlimately return to the Earth if they end up in landfill. According to STELVIN® by Amcor Capsules a major supplier of screwcaps, their caps now have a recycled AI component (up to 46%) in the manufacturing process along with sourcing low-carbon primary Al. A work in progress but lots of small steps, will lead to big impact. #NZWine #CircularEconomy #CircularSolutions #Sustainability #Science #WineBusiness https://lnkd.in/gkcN2wji

The Rise of Eco-Friendly Packaging: Sustainable Solutions for a Greener Future In recent years, there has been a growing awareness of the environmental impact of traditional packaging materials, leading to a surge in demand for eco-friendly alternatives. As businesses seek to minimize their carbon footprint and meet consumer preferences for sustainability, the adoption of eco-friendly packaging solutions has emerged as a key trend. Here's how eco-friendly packaging is paving the way for a greener future: 1. Biodegradable Materials 🌱: Eco-friendly packaging utilizes biodegradable materials such as recycled paper, cardboard, and compostable plastics, which break down naturally over time without harming the environment. By replacing traditional plastic packaging with biodegradable alternatives, businesses can reduce plastic pollution and minimize waste. 2. Renewable Resources 🌿: Many eco-friendly packaging solutions are made from renewable resources such as bamboo, sugarcane, and cornstarch, which can be replenished through sustainable farming practices. Using renewable resources for packaging reduces reliance on finite fossil fuels and helps mitigate the environmental impact of packaging production. 3. Minimalist Design 🎨: Eco-friendly packaging often features minimalist design aesthetics, with simple, streamlined packaging designs that use less material and produce less waste. By prioritizing functionality and efficiency in packaging design, businesses can minimize environmental impact while still delivering a memorable and engaging brand experience. 4. Recyclable and Reusable Packaging 🔄: Eco-friendly packaging includes recyclable and reusable options that allow consumers to reduce, reuse, and recycle packaging materials. From recyclable paper and cardboard packaging to reusable glass and metal containers, businesses can offer sustainable packaging solutions that align with consumer preferences for waste reduction and recycling. 5. Consumer Education and Engagement 📚: Educating consumers about the benefits of eco-friendly packaging and encouraging sustainable behaviors can drive demand for sustainable packaging solutions. By transparently communicating information about packaging materials, recycling instructions, and sustainability initiatives, businesses can empower consumers to make environmentally conscious purchasing decisions. In conclusion, the rise of eco-friendly packaging reflects a growing commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship in the packaging industry. By adopting eco-friendly packaging solutions made from biodegradable materials, renewable resources, minimalist design, recyclable and reusable options, and engaging consumers through education and transparency, businesses can contribute to a greener future and meet the evolving demands of environmentally conscious consumers. 🌿🌎 #EcoFriendly #Packaging #Sustainability #GreenFuture