Marisan aims for circularity: what does that mean?

Sustainability: the tangle of terms unravelled

Resources are not inexhaustible. We have known that for some time! It is therefore a must for consumers and producers to make conscious choices. As a sustainable packaging player, we do just that, with every packaging. But what exactly is sustainability? And what exactly does waste recycling mean? How does circularity work and what is the difference between compostable, biodegradable and biobased?

There are clearly a lot of terms linked to sustainability, but there is also a lot of confusion about their exact meaning and content. We would like to guide you through the tangle of sustainability terms and explain how we use them in our broader ecological picture.

In Europe there is a scarcity of raw materials, making us financially dependent on other continents. Europe imports raw materials such as ores and critical raw materials. The world population is exploding and we are damaging the ecosystem by emitting greenhouse gases on land, at sea and in the air. In short: plenty of threats to our planet that urge action.

From recycling materials to high-quality recycling

A quarter of total greenhouse gas emissions are caused by the production of materials, which has its impact on global warming. By recycling materials, we avoid CO2 emissions and bring the raw material back into the cycle after processing. However, this recyclable stream is not enough. The time between production and reuse is long and, besides materials, you also need to recover components.

Packaging made of recycled plastic derived from PET bottles can be called high-quality recycled. All components are reused and in a short time. Recycled materials require less energy, carbon and raw materials.

Besides the recyclable stream in the packaging world, there is also a compostable stream. Composting involves breaking down packaging naturally (via fungi and bacteria) and converting it into water, CO2 and methane. You close the loop by composting biodegradable packaging.

Biodegradable as a standalone term, we prefer not to use it too much. It is actually a somewhat hollow term that covers too many things and says nothing about the duration of the degradability of a material.

Biobased does say something more about the raw material: something is made from renewable, natural raw materials, but is therefore not necessarily biodegradable. For the time being, recycled plastics, as we use them, are more advisable than bio-based alternatives.

Today’s economy is a linear or disposable one. Its consequences are measurable and a new way of thinking and doing things is imposing itself. Circularity is about recovery. If there is production and reuse of sustainable raw materials and goods, we speak of a circular economy. It is an umbrella term for actions and strategies through which we use materials more environmentally consciously and sparingly.

1. Size matters: we aim for the smallest cycle

Large cycle: after disposal, you remove all raw materials from the product and recycle them.
Smaller cycle: after disposal, you try to recover components.
Smallest cycle: after disposal, someone else reuses the product.

2. Gladly slow

The longer you use a product, the better for resource consumption. This is why ‘like to be slow’ is the ultimate credo for the materials cycle. Our jute packaging is the perfect example.

3. The human touch

Besides energy and raw materials, human labour is even more important. Indeed: a circular economy puts thinkers and doers above all else.

4. Value resources

Raw materials and materials, you find them everywhere. In ores, warehouses, but also in roads and buildings, computers, phones, washing machines, cars, … However, we need to use them sparingly. Not least because they are important in the energy transition. After all, solar and wind energy require scarce resources and critical materials.

We want to keep the cycle as small as possible or preferably close it completely. Thus, we take care of the raw materials and materials that are available. At Marisan, we also strive to reduce the use of materials through innovative use of existing raw materials and products.

When we make a carrier bag nice and straight, some cutting remnants remain. By incorporating those plastic or paper scraps into something new, we eliminate residual waste.
We process fallen leaves into carrier bags. In this way, we cleverly transform something that already exists and, among other things, emit less CO2.

Through better design (‘design for recycling’), we can use products longer and more intensively (enabling dematerialisation). Our jute packaging is the best example. Did you know that they are extremely strong and last a very long time? If the packaging is end-of-life, it can be 100% biodegraded.

Sustainable packaging together? We like to think along with you about a responsible, high-quality packaging solution. Feel free to contact us at info@marisan.be or +32 9 232 06 16. We are at your service!