The Power Of The Consumer...
Consumers today are choosing to buy from brands they believe are being both socially, ethically and environmentally responsible. Paper is one of the materials that consumers are once again turning to, and innovators committed to developing new products from responsibly/ethically sourced paper as well as recycled paper products are reaping the rewards for the environment and the bottom line.
At Nugen, we’re always working with companies who are moving forward and committed to developing sustainable products as well as “re-visiting” products that we turned our backs on years ago. Something old, can be new again if we just, “think on it”.
Eco Friendly Paper!
Paper is one of the few products which is downright sustainable. The paper industry is a big, if not one the the biggest users of renewable energy so it makes sense that we continue to innovate paper products.
A Long History Of Recycling…
Recycled paper products have been innovating and refining itself over the many decades since we first began recycling paper in earnest. Today, customers need not compromise on quality, appearance or performance, making way for innovations like the “paper bottle”. We’re still working on perfecting it, and boy is it exciting!
Re-Think The Old To Make Something New!
Collaborating with companies that can help take a historically plastic mascara component and turn that into a paper component with good barrier properties is what we’re always aiming for. It doesn’t happen overnight, but with every clamor of the consumer and commitment of brands to find alternative sustainable components we continue to make strides. The race if definitely on, and we aim to win!
A Circular Economy…
The circular economy is dependent on ensuring that we source our paper products responsibly. NuGen is committed to ensuring that our paper products come from the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) , the Program for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) and/or Post Consumer Recycled (PCR) paper.
Focus Brings New Solutions!
If we all focus on bringing new solutions to market that use renewable resources are responsibly sourced and use post consumer recycled material to manufacture new components we’re a step ahead toward a greener environment. This greener environment will ensure our forests and the wildlife that lives in that forest is around for future generations. As Rachel Carson said, “The more clearly we can focus our attention on the wonders and realities of the universe about us, the less taste we shall have for destruction.”
PAPER
Flexible Packaging Begins With Paper
Paper is said to be the oldest form of “flexible” packaging. Beginning with the Han Dynasty in China, where Ts’ai Lun first developed the process of mixing Mulberry bark fibers and water, that were then poured into a sieve-like bamboo box that contained a cloth. After the water drained through the cloth, Lun pressed and dried the mat of fibers left behind and formed a sheet of paper. The that sheet of paper was later treated and used to transport various things, including food and valuables. Various cultures continued to expound on this invention and eventually industrialized the use of paper packaging into the various forms we enjoy today.
How Has Paper Evolved?
Paper sheets that are wrapped and tied, paper bags, paper boxes and the 20th century invention of the Composite can. We’ve come a long way since the Han dynasty, today we can recycle paper and use it as a percentage of, or in total to make a host of paper items. The paper products we source at NuGen use recycled material (Post Consumer Recycled) and is forested responsibly to ensure we remove and re-plant trees when necessary.
Paper Versatility…
Because paper is so versatile, we continue to innovate new ways to use paper in in both flexible and rigid packaging formats. Cardboard components, and paper bottles are currently used to house various products in the Personal Care, Cosmetic, Food and Pharma/Nutrition to name a few. Companies thought the globe are engaged in promising paper packaging alternatives, and we continue to stay in close contact so we can inform you when innovation is ready for commercialization. Contact us if you’re looking for a paper based component to house your product!
Paper Recycling Process
Once you place paper products in your recycling bin, it makes it’s way to your local recycling center.
- In the recycling center additional sorting is conducted to remove any contaminants (Plastic, glass, metal, etc.)
- Once the paper is segregated, it is then further sorted by grade
- The sorted grades will be placed in bales that are transferred to a mill for processing.
- At the mill the paper is shredded into small pieces. A mixture of the shredded paper, water, and chemicals are heated causing the pieces of paper to break down into fibers.
- The fiber is pressed through a screen that remove adhesives as well as any remaining contaminants.
- Next, the paper is spun in a cone-shaped cylinder for cleaning. The pulp goes through a machine that sprays it onto a conveyor belt. The remaining water drips through the belt’s screen, allowing the paper fibers to begin bonding.
- Heated metal rollers dry the paper, and the paper will be put onto large rolls, which can be made into new paper products.
FSC 100%
All the materials used in products bearing this label are sourced from forests that have been audited by an independent third party to confirm they are managed according to FSC’s rigorous social and environmental standards. Of all the FSC labels, FSC 100% contributes most directly to FSC’s objective—forests for all, forever—and is therefore the highest mark of distinction for certified products.
FSC RECYCLED
Products that bear this label have been verified as being made from 100% recycled content (either post-consumer or pre-consumer reclaimed materials). The use of FSC Recycled products can help to alleviate the pressure of demand on sources of virgin material, thereby helping to protect the world’s forests.
FSC MIX
Products that bear this label are made using a mixture of materials from FSC-certified forests, recycled materials, and/or FSC controlled wood. While controlled wood is not from FSC certified forests, it mitigates the risk of the material originating from unacceptable sources.
