DID YOU KNOW?
Did you know that three billion trees are cut down every year for paper packaging? That means thousand-year-old forests are being destroyed to make boxes.
Let’s work together to change that.
Packaging is a hot topic these days and for good reason.
As the world deals with the growing impacts of the global climate crisis, we need to consider how our packaging choices impact the natural world. Never has this been so apparent as now. The surge in e-commerce over recent years, amplified further by increased on-line shopping arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, means paper-based packaging is having a significant impact on the world’s forests, wildlife, and climate.
To address these issues and transform the packaging supply chain, Canopy is partnering with companies around the world to ensure the world’s Ancient and Endangered Forests do not end up as shipping or pizza boxes, and other single-use packaging. Instead, Pack4Good supports companies on their commitment to reduce their paper packaging footprint through the use of smart design, recycled fibre, and by implementing readily available Next Generation Solutions throughout their packaging supply chains.
Why Pack4Good?
Each year the equivalent of roughly three billion trees is cut down to produce paper-based packaging, many of which come from high-carbon forests, endangered species’ habitats, and other controversial sources. This number is projected to grow by more than 20% by 2025, which is directly at odds with imperatives for climate stability and biodiversity health.
Forest conservation has been identified by the United Nations as 30% of the climate solution. Forests are also vital for protecting species and preventing future pandemics. It is critical that we keep Ancient and Endangered Forests standing to protect human health, wildlife, and to keep our planet’s natural systems stable.
The good news is that there are solutions!
“We face a breakdown of our natural systems, and warnings that more viruses will emerge from disrupted forest landscapes. It’s never been more important for forward-thinking companies to shift from high-impact paper packaging to smarter, planet-friendly alternatives.” — Nicole Rycroft, Founder and Executive Director of Canopy
How to Pack4Good
Ensuring paper packaging is free of Ancient and Endangered Forests is essential. Here are solutions to help companies achieve this:
DESIGN: The best place to start to Pack4Good is to rethink how much packaging you need, how it is designed and how it gets used. Significant material reductions can be made by designing packaging that’s lighter, stronger, smaller, and best of all, reusable. That’s good for the environment and your bottom line.
USE RECYCLED: Utilize 100% recycled, preferably post-consumer recycled materials. Various life cycle analyses (LCA) have shown that recycled and post-consumer recycled fibre reduce impacts on forests, and use both less water and energy to produce. It is also widely available, making it a great choice.
NEXT GEN: Innovative, next generation fibre options are increasing, and proving to be great alternatives to forest-fibre. These technologies use residues or waste, such as wheat straw (leftover after wheat is harvested for food), which would usually be burned or landfilled. In addition to the environmental benefits of using agricultural waste, it also brings new revenue to farmers and rural communities.
A win-win-win!
For more information on Next Generation Solutions click here.
For more information on recycled, post-consumer recycled, and next generation fibre paper and packaging options, visit Canopy’s EcoPaper Database. The EPD lists more than 800 environmentally superior paper and paper packaging products.
Watch Executive Director, Nicole Rycroft, present about the Pack4Good campaign at the 2020 Plastic Free World Conference:
Canopy’s Executive Director, Nicole Rycroft, on a huge stack of waste wheat straw that will be sent to a mill and made into pulp for paper and packaging.
