Today almost all businesses are taking a serious look at environmental conservation and the crating and shipping industry is no different. Some in the industry are trying to make an impact on the environment through corporate policies and buying behavior. The dilemma is that the packaging and transportation industry, by its nature, is an eco-offender but there is opportunity for radical improvement.
On June 1st, 2015, Craters & Freighters made a commitment to finance a sustainable initiative across the globe, partnering with Arbor Day Foundation and Trees for the Future. Diane Gibson, CEO announced that Craters & Freighters would “plant a tree for every crate our company builds, to help reduce climate change and create environmental solutions that benefit people and communities.”
“Planting trees create a great hope for future generations. Our goal is to give back to communities and to do our part to help replenish national forestry, driving sustainability,” stated Gibson. “The simple act of planting trees will help to sustain our communities and the environment in countless ways.”
Some of the biggest changes to make packing materials more eco-friendly include the replacement of petroleum-based products such as polyethylene, styrofoam, and foam-in-place packaging that are extremely slow to degrade with materials that are more biodegradable. If polyethylene and polyurethane products are necessary for cushioning, they may be obtained from a recycling company. Air bags can also be used to replace petroleum-based packaging materials if the goods are not weight sensitive. Not only is craft paper, crimped paper, recycled shredded cardboard and plastic pallets more biodegradable, they can be recycled a number of times depending on their usage.
COO, Matthew Schmitz, highlighted Craters & Freighters longstanding commitment in providing expert packaging and logistics. “For 25 years, Craters & Freighters mission has been to provide innovative solutions for our customers, while giving back to our communities. The core mission hasn’t changed, and our new initiative adds a great deal of eco-responsibility, contributing to a better world.”