Like many companies, Storopack has seen an increase in demand to supply the e-commerce market through its distribution partners. However, due to the global pandemic driving online sales, 2020 exceeded all forecasts. According to IMRG data, total online sales in the UK in 2020 increased by 36.6% year-on-year.
Storopack has seen a shift to paper products. Paper products are considered more sustainable than plastic, but during the pandemic, sales of plastic protective packaging have skyrocketed. In the UK, Storopack has increased by 42% in 2020 over the previous year.
Before the pandemic, the media paid a lot of attention to plastics, especially in the packaging market. As a supplier of paper and plastic products, Storopack’s approach has always been to promote an objective and fact-based evaluation of plastics. Based on their own research on the environmental impact of different materials throughout the supply chain, they are confident in the sustainability of the products they supply. By working closely with its distribution partners and order fulfillment centers, Storopack continues to be well-informed and able to meet the growing consumer demand for sustainable packaging.
Last year, there was an interesting change in consumer attitudes. From treating plastic as an unnecessary and wasteful packaging material, they are now looking for products that can display and deliver their products in a safe and hygienic manner. As a supplier to European medical and pharmaceutical companies, Storopack has long advocated the hygienic properties of plastics. Of course, there is also a big indifference factor, because people are more and more concerned about getting their goods rather than the way they pack them.
The packaging industry must take the lead
As an international family business and a leading system and service provider for flexible, tailor-made protective packaging, Storopack provides recyclable and sustainable products for a wide range of industries and applications. Most of its products are manufactured in-house and have multiple production locations in 68 locations in 19 countries/regions, so customers can ensure that they are local sustainable suppliers.
With the rapid change in attitudes, manufacturers have strengthened their responsibility for sustainability. Relying on consumers to recycle and dispose of packaging responsibly requires the support of the industry, which must also be responsible for the materials available on the market. According to the latest global commitment progress report released by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, in 2019 compared with 2018, the recycled content of plastic packaging products increased by 22%. However, this is still only 6.2% of the total, so obviously there is still a lot of work to be done. Currently, more than 30% of Storopack's products are made from renewable or recycled materials. By 2025, this proportion will increase to more than 50%. . As part of this strategy, Storopack offers AIRplus®, a series of 100% recyclable air cushions (50% post-consumer waste and 50% post-industrial waste) and standard air cushions made of at least 50% recyclable materials Series materials. Both of these products are part of the company's recycling economy strategy using plastic waste.
The public cannot be expected to understand all the factors that affect the sustainability of a product, such as the amount of water and energy used in the manufacturing process, or the amount of fuel used in heavier products. However, Storopack has the ability to perform this analysis and ensure that they take all necessary steps to produce materials with minimal impact on the environment, from cradle to grave.
In the end, consumers have little choice in what packaging to use for their products. It is the responsibility of retailers, third-party logistics and packaging suppliers to ensure that their purchasing departments understand the importance of choosing the most sustainable products rather than the cheapest ones. As manufacturers, their responsibility is to educate business partners and ensure that all packaging is clearly marked with recyclability, compostability, or disposal instructions so that the end user knows what to do immediately.
Storopack aims to help its customers meet today's consumer demand for sustainable protective packaging. It achieves this goal by providing a variety of recyclable and sustainable protective packaging solutions. In addition to AIRplus® recycled air cushions and AIRplus® BIO air cushions, the broad product line also includes PAPERplus® 100% recycled paper, PELASPAN® and PELASPAN® BIO Loose Fill certified NF T51-800 home and garden compostable safes, made of starch materials . In addition, the polyol B foam B component of FOAMplus® foam pads contains 30% recycled polyurethane.
Sustainability goes beyond packaging products
For all organizations, regardless of department, sustainability must be a broader theme than their products. Storopack is a member of the Alliance to End Plastic Waste. Its mission is to prevent plastic waste from entering the environment and clean up existing plastic pollution. According to research by the Ellen Macarthur Foundation, after a short period of first use, an estimated $120 billion worth of plastic losses are economic losses every year. It is estimated that only 14% of plastic packaging is collected for recycling. Most will eventually be incinerated, landfilled or enter the environment, including open dumps. All Storopack branches around the world are committed to achieving the goal of "cleaning up". The goal they set for themselves is to prevent any plastic particles used in production facilities from entering the environment through water. Therefore, they make an important contribution to preventing particle loss in the plastic value chain. Through their molding department in Germany, they are certified members of the Zero Particle Loss Initiative of the German Plastic Packaging and Film Association. The company has also formulated a long-term climate strategy, through its climate protection projects in its many businesses and expanding its portfolio of recyclable and renewable raw materials that play a key role in reducing carbon dioxide, formulating and implementing specific measures to reduce greenhouse gases.
Action speaks louder than words
With so much waste already in the environment, it is important for Storopack to look at how they clean up the environment and protect it from further harm. Another organization they proudly support is the International Non-profit Foundation "Great Blue Ocean Cleanup". Since 2018, Storopack has been the exclusive sponsor of the Coastal Cleanup Program and is committed to establishing long-term partnerships. Big Blue Ocean Cleanup actively strives to raise people’s awareness of the current state of the world’s oceans, and is committed to protecting marine life and cleaning the sustainability of the ocean and coastline-its initiatives are dedicated to cleaning beaches, removing plastics from the ocean, providing training courses and notifications Partners and the public. In addition to economically supporting the cleanup of the Great Blue Ocean, they have also played an active role. For example, employees voluntarily participate in beach cleaning programs in the UK and throughout Europe to remove microplastics and small plastic particles from beaches.
Looking ahead, it will be beneficial to join forces with other companies to actively support these environmental groups. The public view is still that packaging, especially plastic packaging, is harmful to the environment. Many packaging companies are taking steps to improve their product portfolios, which are all very positive, but if you want to change attitudes more broadly, companies need to do everything they can to not only minimize the impact, but also take visible measures. Take action by participating in global projects to clean up waterways and public spaces. Companies need to have real enthusiasm to change the status quo, and not just treat sustainability as a good PR meeting. By creating a culture that cares about the environment, the flow of plastic waste can be prevented in the future.
To download Storopack's latest sustainability report, please visit:
To learn more about Storopack products, click on packaging, or send an email to: packaging.uk@storopack.com. Or, please call 44 (0) 114 249 2004
© 2020 Akabo Media Ltd Registration Number 07766641 United Kingdom | All Rights Reserved. Registered address: Akabo Media, GG.006, Metal Box Factory, 30 Great Guildford St, SE1 0HS
Necessary cookies are absolutely necessary for the normal operation of the website. This category only includes cookies that ensure the basic functions and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the normal operation of the website and those specifically used to collect user personal data through analysis, advertising, and other embedded content are called non-essential cookies. You must obtain user consent before running these cookies on your website.