More than ever, consumers care about the environment and increasingly support producers who care about it as well. Awareness of nature pollution and products that affect the increase of waste in nature is growing more and more.
For this reason, the need for ecological packaging is growing along with this phenomenon. Concern over the excessive use of various packaging made from potentially dangerous materials is growing among the environmentally conscious population. We need an alternative.
Ecological and eco-friendly packaging appeared as a logical consequence. Ecological packaging has a lower impact on the environment and gives customers an alternative to traditional packaging. Ecological packaging affects the feeling that we have done something good in the fight to preserve nature.
Table of content
Problems of traditional packaging
The main role of packaging is to protect the product itself. Packaging is usually associated with the problem of practicality, especially when it comes to packaging for food or disposable products. The most commonly used packaging is made of plastic, polyethylene. There are several types of traditional packaging:
- Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) – used for packaging drinks and water. It is mostly recycled compared to other types of plastic packaging.
- High-density polyethylene - used to make vessels and containers for heavier products and liquids, such as e.g. motor oils, shampoos or detergents.
- Low-density polyethylene - used in the production of plastic bags and foils. This type of packaging is the least recycled.
In addition to the convenience that plastic offers, many people think that plastic is recyclable. This is true in theory. It is actually true that not all plastic and all types of plastic produced are recycled. Unfortunately only in Europe 70% plastic is not recycled and ends up as waste in landfills or at the bottom of the ocean.
Another big problem with non-ecological packaging is its production process. It is known that most plastic packaging is obtained by processing different oils or petroleum, therefore the process of degradation of packaging and by-products is extremely long-lasting.
Plastic dissolves in nature for over 100 years, and during that period it releases toxic substances into the environment. In this way, it additionally pollutes the soil, groundwater, and plant and animal life.
What is ecological packaging
Experts in ecology and sustainable resources have compiled a list of rules that determine whether a package is ecological or not.
What does it mean for a product packaging to be environmentally friendly?
- Safe and healthy for the individual or the community throughout its lifetime.
- It meets the needs of the market in terms of performance and price.
- Made from renewable or recycled materials.
- It encourages the use of renewable or recycled materials.
- Production takes place using clean technologies.
- It is made of non-sticky materials
- It is designed to maximize the use of material and energy.
- Reusable and easily processed in the recycling process.
To conclude, eco-friendly packaging should be made of non-toxic materials, biodegradable and designed to be easily reused or recycled.
Benefits of ecological packaging
The benefits of ecological packaging are multiple. The impact on ecology, a healthy environment, and even the economy are very pronounced and we should turn to this type of product as soon as possible.
Reduction of carbon dioxide emissions
If the packaging of the product is made of recycled material, CO2 emissions are significantly reduced. Similarly, if the packaging is made from natural materials such as bamboo or from recycled paper or cardboard, the spread of such products actually reduces the amount of carbon dioxide from nature.
Biodegradable
If the product packaging is made of natural materials, it means that this packaging is biodegradable. Plastic is not biodegradable and it takes hundreds or even thousands of years to dissolve in nature, releasing toxic substances into the environment during all that time. In contrast, some eco-friendly packaging can even be used for composting.
Simple storage
Ecological packaging can be disposed of at locations dealing with the collection of secondary raw materials and thus transported to the nearest recycling center in the area. This reduces the problem of waste disposal, because such packaging can immediately enter the recycling process after use.
No poisonous matter
Non-sustainable resources such as oil, which are most often used in the production of plastics, are extremely harmful to the environment. This refers to the problems of recycling, disposal and distribution. Eco-friendly packaging does not encounter such problems throughout its existence. Since eco-friendly packaging is biodegradable, there is no problem with the release of toxins and harmful substances into the environment, as is the case with plastic waste.
Easy to recycle
What is very good about ecological packaging is the fact that it can easily be used for another purpose or simply recycled. By encouraging the user to find another purpose for the used packaging, it extends its life. In this way, the consumption of materials is reduced, the need for production is reduced, and in the end, it affects the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions.
If the packaging is of sufficient quality, it should be used for packing some other things, for storage or for some creative hobby or applied art, why not.
Recycle. What's wrong with you?
Očuvanje natural resources
Natural resources on our planet are final.
Basic things to think about:
- Paper recycling saves trees and forests. Yes, of course you can plant a new tree at any time, but you can't just bring back the rainforests and vast areas under the forest once they are lost.
- Recycling plastic means we can make less new plastic. This is especially important because plastics are usually made from fossil fuels and petroleum.
- Recycling metals means reducing the need for dangerous and expensive mining and opening new mines.
- Recycling glass reduces the need to use raw materials such as sand, which is already becoming a problem in some parts of the world.
Preservation of the environment and the world
Recycling reduces the need for growth, expansion and use of raw materials.
This means that our impact on the living world and nature in general will be reduced. Fewer forests will be cut down, fewer rivers will dry up, fewer wildlife will be endangered, and less land, water and air will be polluted.
A simple thing to understand.
Reduction in raw material consumption
The global need for more and more new things has led to the fact that we have more and more vulnerable and poor populations.
Communities living near forests or some ore deposits may be threatened or even displaced.
If by recycling we reduce the probability that someone or someone's home will be in a situation of being endangered, the matter is completely clear. We should think about this topic as often as possible.
Since we are slowly starting to witness similar things happening around us.
Save energy
Making products from recycled materials requires less energy consumption in bringing to production using raw materials. Sometimes this brings huge savings in energy consumption.
- Obtaining aluminum from old products like aluminum foils or cans has benefits 95% less energy than when using raw aluminum. For iron, this saving is approx 70%.
- Paper production from shredded recycled paper benefits 40% less energy, than in production from raw wood fibers.
- The energy saved by recycling one glass bottle can power a 100 W light bulb for several hours.
Reduction of climatic changes
As we have already said, recycling creates huge savings in energy and the use and consumption of raw materials, thus reducing carbon dioxide emissions. This also affects the reduction of the release of methane and similar gases from waste in landfills.
By reducing the emission of carbon dioxide and other harmful gases, we slow down climate change.
Return packaging
Recycle with us!
Let's preserve nature together!
If you have no idea how to use our ecological packaging for another purpose, we have come up with a great way to solve that problem.
Balavander and returnable packaging
For each returned packaging in its original condition Balavander gives you a present 40 rsd, which you can use to repurchase our products natural cosmetics and aromatherapy.
Credit earned by returning packaging that includes: glass jars, aluminum packaging and transport cardboard boxes in which we send you products, will be available to you in the section "My wallet“
You can access your wallet at any time at the following LINK.
You can use the credit you have in your balance at any time during your purchase.
In this way, you encourage our further work, and we all preserve nature together.
Send the package with used packaging that you no longer need to:
Balavander Cosmetics
Bulevar cara Lazara 108
21000 Novi Sad
063 108 33 20
Reduce, use, recycle!
What is difficult for you?
With smile,
Balavander
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