Every 5 June is World Environment Day, a date proclaimed by the United Nations in 1972 with the aim of raising awareness of the planet’s most pressing environmental issues.
But the real impact of this day is not in a campaign, but in what we do afterwards. In how we carry that message into our daily decisions, into our processes, and especially, into how companies operate and contribute to a more sustainable future.
In the flexible and sustainable packaging sector, we know that every choice matters: the type of material, the design of the packaging, the way it is produced and distributed. That’s why, rather than just a symbolic action, here are 10 real ways your company can celebrate Environment Day all year round.
1. Check the impact of your packaging
Evaluate the materials you are using: are they recyclable, recycled, compostable or reusable? Can they be optimised? Often, small improvements in design can significantly reduce environmental impact.
2. Measure your environmental footprint
What you can’t measure, you can’t improve. Analyse energy consumption, water use, CO₂ emissions and waste generation in your processes. This will allow you to set realistic targets and track progress.
3. Apply sustainable purchasing criteria
Choose suppliers who share your environmental commitment and prioritise materials with certifications that guarantee their responsible origin. At Coverpan, we have FSC® certification, which ensures that our materials come from responsibly managed sources, protecting forests, biodiversity and local communities.
4. Train your team
Involve all your staff in the environmental cause. Workshops, talks, internal initiatives… everyone can contribute in their own way. Creating internal awareness is the first step towards lasting change.
5. Reduce unnecessary consumption
From lighting to paper usage, optimising internal resources not only saves money, it also reduces your footprint. Have you already switched to LED? Do you take advantage of natural light? Do you have a paperless office policy?
6. Offer sustainable options to your customers
Include packaging with less environmental impact in your catalogue. Accompany the offer with clear information on recycling, composting or reuse, so that your customers can also make responsible choices.
7. Assess the environmental impact of your best-selling products
Choose one or two key products and analyse their entire life cycle (materials, production, distribution, end of life). From there, communicate transparently and work to improve their environmental performance.
8. Communicate with purpose
Take advantage of your channels (blog, social networks, product labels) to promote environmental messages. Informing and educating generates brand value and at the same time drives a more conscious consumer culture.
9. Offset your impact
While the ideal is to avoid emissions and waste, you can also explore offsetting mechanisms such as reforestation projects or carbon credits. It’s a way of taking responsibility for what you can’t yet avoid.
10. Innovate with the planet in mind
Integrate sustainability into your innovation strategy. New materials, cleaner processes, reusable or modular packaging… there is a lot to explore if you think green from the start.
You can make a difference too
Environment Day is a reminder, not a destination. Companies have a key role to play in the transition to a more sustainable model, and packaging is a powerful starting point.
At Coverpan, we believe that every package is an opportunity to do things better. That is why we developed PackInGreen®, our sustainable product line that combines functionality with respect for the environment, through compostable, recyclable and FSC® certified materials.
We believe that sustainability is not a trend, but a responsibility. That’s why we work every day to offer flexible packaging solutions that not only protect products, but also the planet.
