Sustainability at SR Mailing LTD
Introduction
Welcome to the SR Knowledge Centre! Where you can find anything related to sustainability and the environment that we have deemed important to us. It covers relevant sustainability topics, legislation, materials, and any other topic we think might be good for you to know. Have a look around!
The Paris Agreement
Back in 2015, members of the United Nations came together to reach an agreement to take care of the planet. This agreement set the stage for some serious long term goals:
1. Cooling the planet. Reduce greenhouse gas emissions to keep global temperatures below 2°C (above industrial levels), and try to limit temperatures 1.5°C to reduce the impacts of climate change.
2. Progress Check. Periodically assess progress towards achieving this agreement
3. Supporting Countries. Provide financing to developing countries to mitigate climate change
Every 5 years, countries must submit action plans to meet these goals, regularly updating them as progress has been made. The Paris Agreement wasn't just a fancy document, it was a legit, legally binding commitment. It acted as a domino in creating environmental legislation, and can be thought of as one of the original drivers of eco-friendliness, and emissions reductions
17 Sustainable Development Goals
Following the the Paris Agreement, the 17 Sustainable Development Goals were born. These goals are like a handbook for countries to level up their environmental goals and align with developing sustainably. There are three categories: social, environmental, and economic goals. These goals are to achieve a balance of one another in order to achieve sustainable development, with all of them being of equal importance. Every sector can use these goals to make sure they're on the right track and playing their part in the Paris Agreement.
Circular Economy
The circular economy is an important topic in the world of packaging. Imagine our normal supply chain today: take, make, sell, waste, landfill, etc. Normally, it is in and out with no second chances. The circular economy on the other hand, wants to break the pattern of single-use items. Its about creating a loop where products and materials get a second, third, or even fourth chance at life.
1. Reduce and Reuse. Instead of churning out stuff left and right, the circular economy promotes cutting back and finding ways to reuse what we already have. Think thrift shopping, but on a global scale. Old becomes new again.
2. Recycle and Repurpose. When things find the end of their life, that is where recycling comes in. It isn't just about tossing a piece of plastic into the correct bin, its about turning that piece of plastic into a brand new, usable product. Repurposing at its finest.
3. Design for the Long Term. The circular economy is not just about what happens when we are done with stuff. It is about designing products that are made to last, not just using and losing it. It is all about quality rather than quantity.
By following the principles of the circular economy, it is reimagining our relationship with stuff.
Bio Based and Petrol Based Products
As circular economy becomes the norm, petrol based plastics will no longer be a viable option for material goods. Petrol based products are made from nonrenewable fossil fuels and greatly contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. Petrol based products cannot be made infinitely, as eventually the resources will run out and their carbon footprint is extremely high.
To fix this problem, we must look towards solutions like bio-based products, which are made from renewable biological resources like plants, and can be replenished over time. This gives products better disposal options, a lower carbon footprint, and contributes to the circular economy.
Why does this matter?
Carbon Footprint:
- Bio-based materials tend to have a lower carbon footprint due to renewable materials
- Petrol based materials contribute to GHG emissions during extraction, production, and combustion
Sustainability:
- Bio-based are sourced from biological materials making them replenish over time
- Petrol-based are from non-renewable sources and take millions of years to form
Disposal:
- Bio-based have several options like composting, biodegrading, easier recycling
- Petrol-based persist in the environment and contribute to long-term pollution, tend to have advance recycling methods, and have challenges in managing the waste
It is important to remember: not all bio-based products are recyclable, and if your goal is circularity and minimising waste, recycled petrol based products could be more useful as long as they are made from already used material.
Paper versus Plastic Packaging
Bottom line of this topic is: paper is not better than plastic and plastic is not better than paper
Plastic:
- lightweight
- water resistant
- cheaper than alternatives
- 100% recycled plastic has lower carbon footprint than 100% recycled paper
- plastic is more harmful than paper as marine pollution
- virgin plastic is very very bad - always choose recycled material
Paper:
- compostable and biodegradable
- high recycling rate
- not ideal in wet environments
- heavier, can increase transport emissions
- usually less cost effective
Closed Loop versus Open Loop Recycling
Closed loop recycling involves the continuous cycle of using, recycling, and transforming products without them ever reaching landfills. This process not only minimises waste but also conserves resources, paving the way for a true circular economy.
Now, what about an open loop system? It’s a system where products don’t depend on a closed-loop process. Instead, their end-of-life journey can lead to various outcomes such as recycling, downcycling, or ultimately waste into landfill. Unfortunately, open loop systems are harmful to the environment because it encourages environmental degradation through continuous mining for new materials. It contributes to landfill overflow by discarding non-biodegradable materials rather than reusing or recycling.
While closed loop recycling offers numerous benefits, including reduced environmental impact and regulatory compliance, it's not without challenges. However, with technological advancements and consumer awareness, there's hope for a more sustainable future in closed-loop recycling.
