CONNECTIONS_65-e

Corporate
050.7403
For the Environment:
Changes in Packaging
R&M puts sustainability into practice on a daily basis. Customers can be confident
that environment-friendly, resource-saving solutions are being developed. A current
example: the packaging for the new FM45 Cat. 6 A
EL.
Plastic bags and films have been used as universal
packaging material for decades. They
are easy to handle, available everywhere,
inexpensive and offer good protection.
However, a considerable amount of waste
is generated if they are not disposed of in
the correct way. The films are also based on
crude oil, which is far too valuable to be used
to make disposable packaging. This is why
R&M has resolved to gradually introduce
an environment-friendly packaging strategy
that goes easy on raw materials within the
framework of the Group-wide sustainability
strategy.
The goals:
– Elimination of disposable plastic packaging
by 2027
– Optimal use of cardboard boxes to reduce
waste
– Optimization of cardboard specifications to
reduce resource requirements
– Use of digital media to save on manuals and
labels made of paper
A cross-divisional working group is coordinating
the activities. Their targets for 2024:
– Consumption of 14 tons less new material
for films thanks to the use of recycled
material
– Reduction of cardboard consumption by
60 tons
– Reduction of paper requirements for installation
instructions by 11 tons
– Process development for a new packaging
concept
26 | CONNECTIONS 10|2023–65