Earth Day and Sustainable Packaging

Happy Earth Day 2026!

What is the purpose of Earth Day?

Earth Day falls on the 22nd of April each year and marks the importance of protecting our planet. It acts not only as a reminder to be more conscious of our carbon footprint, but also to raise awareness for the ways we can all contribute.

Earth Day began in the United States in 1970 and became global in 1990, serving as a significant occasion for not only environmental activists but also for the world at large to bring environmental policies into action.

Over 10,000 events are taking place this Earth Day and throughout the week, including peaceful demonstrations, community cleanups, and tree planting, all of which bring people together and raise awareness.

The environment & packaging

Within the packaging industry, Earth Day is significant for businesses as it reminds them to stop and consider how each of their processes impact the environment, in order to reassess and focus on sustainability.

Customers are looking for environmental brands more than ever, so considering the environment can benefit your brand as well as the planet. You will be able to develop a loyal customer base that shares your ethos.

Types of sustainable packaging

• Recyclable packaging e.g. cardboard, paper, glass, aluminium/tin and certain plastics
• Compostable and biodegradable packaging, made from a variety of recyclable or natural and plant-based materials
• Reduced packaging i.e. minimal materials and design
• Reusable packaging such as glass packaging, fabric tote bags, durable cardboard boxes, or refillable containers
• PCR (post-consumer recycled) packaging, where materials which have already been used are reprocessed into new packaging

Why does switching matter?

• Contributing to reducing waste and protecting the environment
• Builds customer trust and a strong reputation
• Supports compliance with global regulations
• Can increase efficiency and reduce costs

What can brands do

Follow Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

First, brands should evaluate their packaging needs, then consider switching to reusable or recyclable materials and try to cut down on using single-use plastic where possible. Following this circular economy approach can be beneficial in contributing to reducing the amount of rubbish in landfill, which has major consequences on the environment and health.

Advocating for these initiatives

Promote initiatives that protect the environment to colleagues in your business, your customers, and even friends and family.

Supply Chains

Looking at the entire supply chain and moving towards a sustainable supply chain, meaning from sourcing all the way to delivery, can be beneficial. The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) defines this as covering four pillars: environmental practices, social responsibility, economic viability, and governance and accountability. 

In practice, this means reducing emissions and waste, setting sustainability measures and tracking the measures you implement. Sustainable supply chains can benefit your business in multiple ways, including saving on costs due to efficiency, following global regulations, and building customer loyalty.

At Rawlings Group, from our sister companies to suppliers and clients, we ensure we all share the same ethical ethos when it comes to sustainability. 

We advocate for glass as a sustainable packaging option. Glass can be reused and recycled and so reduces landfill waste.

What is our environmental ethos?

Sustainability is an important part of our company culture.

• We expect our suppliers to demonstrate environmental accountability
• We lobby manufacturers to improve their recycled content levels and provide greater transparency 
• We continue to review our products and services to minimise our carbon footprint
• We believe that everyone has a responsibility towards the environment and sustainability 

Choosing reusable or recyclable packaging means you can reflect your environmental ethos as a brand and contribute to these initiatives.

The message for this Earth Day is ‘Our Power, Our Planet’, which reflects the impact each of us can have in contributing to environmental progress.

Read more about us and our sustainable values.