Taylor & Francis is packaging and delivering its journal print copies in paperwrap in the hopes of cutting down on unnecessary plastic use.
Although it has become more common in recent years, paperwrap is usually applied to very high print runs. The Global Supplier Team at Taylor & Francis sought to apply the technology to academic journal print runs – rolling out live trial mailings to international colleagues to investigate its impact on mailing speed or damage in transit.
Paperwrap claims to deliver journals to consumers with little to no damage, as opposed to paper envelopes, which are susceptible to tearing. Additional materials such as flyers can also be inserted into paperwrapped packages while remaining in line with global shipping standards.
The solution is now set to replace all other packaging for the majority of UK journal mailings to reduce the consumption of plastic. Other global regions are expected to follow in the future.
Claiming to be FSC- or PEFC-certified, the paperwrap utilised by Taylor & Francis apparently comes from responsibly managed forests or is made from at least 70% wood that meets or exceeds the PEFC Sustainability Benchmark Requirements.
The Brontë Parsonage Museum’s journal, Brontë Studies, was included in the test mailings. Rebecca Yorke, director of The Brontë Society and Brontë Parsonage Museum, said: “We are committed to reducing our environmental impact at The Brontë Society, so we were thrilled that Brontë Studies was chosen for the paperwrap trial.
“Posting journals using responsibly-sourced paper packaging is the perfect replacement for plastic. I’m very excited that paperwrap mailings are going to be continued and expanded.”
Stewart Gardiner, global production director at Taylor & Francis, added: “According to the UN Environment Programme, it is estimated that 75 to 199 million tons of plastic is currently found in our oceans. Shrink wrap, the type of plastic used in mailings, is one of the single-use plastics which contribute to this waste entering our ecosystems.
“Taylor & Francis is delighted to have reached the milestone of eliminating plastic from journal mailings, making a significant reduction to our environmental impact.”
Mondi is taking its own steps to replace plastic packaging with paper alternatives for product delivery. Its expandable paper bag solution, Protector Bag ExpandForm, is being applied to Megaflex Schaumstoff’s rollpacked mattresses, while its Advantage StretchWrap kraft paper has been supplied to Silbo to replace its plastic stretch film pallet wrapping.
Last year, MODIVO SA adopted a range of corrugated boxes and paper-based MailerBAGS from Mondi to package its fashion items, aiming to provide high-quality product protection, conserve packaging space, and save money.
Meanwhile, DS Smith’s Light Wrap wraparound box solution for bricks claims to use 19% less fibre than its traditional alternatives and has apparently reduced CO2 emissions equivalent to 1,831 flights between Madrid and Lisbon since its creation.
If you liked this article, you might also enjoy:
The Lidl approach to packaging sustainability
How did Brazil achieve its 100% aluminium can recycling rate – and can it be replicated in the EU?
Experts have their say on the EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive revisions
A deep dive into the most important packaging sustainability trends and solution
No comments yet