Paper-based protective packaging plays a crucial role in modern logistics and product distribution, with the core purpose of ensuring that goods remain intact throughout the supply chain from manufacturer to consumer.With the vigorous development of e-commerce and the improvement of consumer requirements for product quality, the demand for protective packaging systems is also growing.
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Why do we need sustainable paper-based protective packaging?
Environmental Protection
- Reducing plastic pollution: 42% of the world's plastic is used for packaging, and the majority of it is only for single-use purposes. Therefore, the plastic pollution problem generated in the ecosystem is long-term and persistent.The recycling rate of plastic is only 10%, which means that 90% of plastic is incinerated, landfilled or directly discarded in the natural environment. Using sustainable paper packaging can break this negative cycle.
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- Biodegradability: The main component of paper packaging materials is cellulose, which is a renewable resource with excellent biodegradability and will not cause long-term pollution to the environment.
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Policies and Regulations
- Reduce single-use plastic: More and more countries and regions are implementing laws to reduce plastic packaging.For instance, Australia plans to ban single-use plastics by 2025, and the European Union is also cracking down on the 10 most common single-use plastic items on European beaches.
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- Environmental protection authentication: The FSC (forest management committee) and PEFC (forest certification program approval), and other certification system to promote the responsible forest management, ensure that the source of timber and pulp sustainable.
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Consumer Preferences
- Consumers prefer sustainable packaging: According to Ranpak and Harris Research companies, e-commerce customers in the US, UK, France, and Germany all want to work with companies that use sustainable packaging.In fact, more than 70% of consumers in these countries have this preference, with more than 80% preferring sustainable packaging in the UK and France.
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- Consumer love for paper packaging: Not only do consumers love to see paper packaging used in boxes, a 2013 study showed that paper was the most popular material out of 12, ranking fifth above plastic and even ahead of velvet.
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Economic Benefits
- Cost-effectiveness: The cost of recycling pulp is lower than that of virgin pulp, making it an economically viable alternative. In addition, the use of recycled pulp helps reduce the amount of waste in landfills and promotes a circular economy.
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- Reducing packaging costs: Using sustainable packaging materials can reduce the demand for raw wood, which helps protect forests and reduce the carbon footprint as it requires less energy and water for production.
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What are the sustainable paper-based protective packaging?
1. Customized Paper Partitions and Linings
- Precise positioning and buffering protection
Partitions (such as Z-shaped origami-folding partitions and one-piece paper supports) can separate the interior of the package into independent Spaces to prevent collisions during transportation.
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Lining material (such as cardboard, corrugated) provides support, suitable for electronic products, wine and other fragile products, while improving product stability through customized shape.
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- Environmental protection and cost balance
The paper partition is made of white card paper or recycled paper base, which is 100% degradable and in line with the trend of green packaging.
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Compared with EVA foam or pearl cotton, the cost of paper inner lining is reduced by more than 30%, and it is easy to process and fold.
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- Enhance the product grade
In the hardcover
Gift Box, the laminated cardboard lining or bronzing partition can enhance the unpacking experience and convey the high-end sense of the brand.
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2. Paper-based Fillers
- Dynamic buffer performance
Honeycomb paper and crepe paper fillers absorb impact forces through a three-dimensional structure, protecting fragile items such as electronic products and ceramics, with a compressive strength of up to 6000N/m2.
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Compared with foam plastic, paper filling is more lightweight and reduces transportation energy consumption.
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- Environmental protection compliance
Pearl cotton paper substitutes (corn fiber paper) and recycled paper scraps meet the EU REACH standards to avoid plastic pollution.
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In e-commerce packaging, the recycling rate of paper fillers can reach 90%, which is much higher than that of plastic.
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- Multi-functional adaptability
The flexible buffer paper pad replaces the bubble film, which is suitable for the space filling of special-shaped goods.Paper silk,
pulp molding is used for high-value crafts shockproof.
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3. Alternatives to Paper Bubble Wrap
- Technical performance upgrade
Bubble paper (produced by honeycomb paper machines) buffers through an air layer and has a shockproof effect close to that of traditional bubble film, and there is no risk of static damage.
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Kraft paper composite bubble pad (double structure) bearing 40%, suitable for furniture, household appliances and other heavy goods.
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- Environmental protection and cost advantages
The raw material of paper bubble wrap is recycled kraft paper, with a degradation cycle of only 3 to 6 months, and its cost is 15% lower than that of plastic bubble wrap.
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In line with the requirements of the "plastic limit order", such as the EU 2025 to completely ban non-degradable plastic packaging.
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4. Cotton Paper
- Safety of natural materials
Wood pulp/cotton pulp paper without chemical addition, through the AP food grade certification, direct contact with tea, medicine will not contamize the content.
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- Breathable and moisture-proof double protection
The fiber structure regulates the temperature and humidity, absorbs the tea volatile moisture (prevent mildew), and allows a trace air exchange (promote aging), which is suitable for Pu-erh tea, cigars and other commodities that need to breathe.
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- Medical grade protection standard
Dialysis paper (compound cotton paper) allows the penetration of ethylene oxide sterilization gas, but blocks bacteria, and is used for sterile packaging of medical devices.
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Sustainable paper-based protective packaging is important because it not only helps to reduce environmental pollution and meets the requirements of policies and regulations, but also satisfies consumer preferences for environmentally friendly products while being economically cost-effective.By adopting sustainable paper packaging, enterprises can achieve both environmental protection and economic benefits.
Guangdong Shiteng Wisdom Technology Co., Ltd.
