The consumer society includes a long list of activities that
negatively affect the environment and people's health. The production of large
amounts of waste is one of these ‘inconveniences’ closely associated with the
consumption model that large corporations are dragging us every day. Faced with
this excess, it is pursued to be able to move towards sustainable packaging.
Containers and packaging that respect the Planet
An important part of the waste is not generated by the
abandonment or misuse of the products themselves but by the long and complex
process that is known internationally with the English word packaging.
Millions of tons of plastics, cardboard, wood, metals and
other elements, sometimes difficult to recycle, are used daily throughout the
world to wrap, store, distribute, protect or improve the possibilities of
selling products of all kinds. Packaging certain consumer
products is sometimes essential, but the real problem arises when completely
unnecessary and unnecessary wrappings, boxes and packages invade us.
The trend with the greatest future in the packaging and packaging of products are biodegradable materials
Given this excess of containers and packaging, a new model
based on prevention, minimization, design improvement, reduction in the use of
raw materials, recycling and reuse is imposed. These are some of the essential
elements to move towards the application of the concept of sustainability in
the sector of packaging, packaging and packaging in general.
The new directive of the European Union of containers and
packaging waste (which in its English edition is entitled 'Directive on
packaging and packaging waste') highlights and recalls that prevention in the
generation of waste is the best way to promote efficiency of our society and
reduce the environmental impact of garbage. In addition, this directive
approved in 2018 indicates, it is important that the member states of the
European Union take appropriate measures to encourage the increase in the
proportion of reusable packaging in the market; thereby reducing the current
containers and packaging that do not meet this condition.
Improving the design, formulation, weight and dimensions of packaging is part of the concept known as ecodesign
Companies that produce and sell consumer products know that
packaging is an essential part of the success of their activity. Unfortunately,
there are still many producers that focus almost exclusively on visual
attraction and package, wrap and package their products in a way that has
nothing to do with environmental protection values.
The big companies are aware of the problem of the waste
produced by the excess of containers and packaging, pity that sometimes their
response is closer to the marketing activities than to the real commitment with
the consumers and the environment.
The critical view of various aspects of the current
situation in the packaging sector should not prevent us from being relatively
optimistic and that we hope that administrations and companies continue to
incorporate essential values of sustainability.