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Paper Tissues: Functional and Sustainably Packaged

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Innovative, functional, recyclable, rugged, handy and light: This is how Tork describes its new packaging solution “Tork Carry PackTM” for the Interfold tissue line.

The Tork Carry PackTM has been on the market since January of this year. The new tissue packaging is designed to ease the shipping, storage and handling of Tork’s Interfold paper towels. Made of rugged polyethylene, the packaging is 100% recyclable, water-proof and sturdy. By company accounts SCA is the first supplier in Europe to offer plastic packaging with handles for paper tissues. They make for easy, single-handed carrying or transport of two packaging units at a time.

Clear

Just as clear in the truest sense of the word is also the design of this new packaging type. Compared to most conventional packaging units the transparency of its design allows you to see at a glance how many bundles of towels are still contained. Important consumer information is printed and easily legible and the two perforations are designed to ensure flexible opening. After all, the film of the Carry PackTM can be opened at the side or top depending on its storage and application. Added benefit: Whereas half-empty cartons still require the same space as full ones this packaging always adapts to the volume of its contents.

Stable

According to the manufacturer specific transport and storage tests were carried out worldwide prior to the launch of this new packaging. Developers placed special emphasis on stability – and this although 80% less packaging material was consumed than for comparable conventional packaging solutions. The paper tissue bundles are highly compressed thereby achieving the density required for their stability. This means they can do without secondary packaging which again reduces waste volumes later.

Environmentally Compatible

Carry PackTM consists of robust polyethylene, which is 100% recyclable after use serving both for the production of new plastic products and energy generation through combustion. All in all, SCA Hygiene Products GmbH with its brand Tork is among the 100 most sustainable companies worldwide. This year saw the Swedish company being ranked among the Top 100 for the sixth consecutive time making it the only tissue producer that complied with the jury’s criteria for environmental protection, corporate social responsibility and governance.

Sustainable

For six years the Canadian media company Corporate Knights has chosen the 100 most sustainable corporations worldwide. As a first step the top 10% of 3,000 listed companies are identified that are committed to environmental protection, social responsibility, corporate governance and transparency. Scores are issued to then shortlist the top 100 companies.

Since the ranking was introduced in 2005 SCA has been among these Top 100 and was elected the “second greenest” organisation worldwide. Among tissue producers SCA even ended up in first place. By own accounts the company attaches great importance to keeping its carbon footprint as small as possible.

Since 2001 over 500 company-wide projects have been initiated to reduce C02 emissions. As a result, emissions are said to have gone down by eleven percent over the past few years and to be scheduled to decrease by another 20% by 2020.

Paper tissues are primarily disposed of by energetic recycling, i.e. combustion, and the calorific value is high enough to make an important contribution to long-distance heating. Tissue procucts by Tork are used primarily in the industry, at hospitals, health care facilities as well as hotels, restaurants and catering establishments.

There is a holistic, company-wide concept called “We lifecycle”, which applies not only to Tork but also to all other SCA brands such as Tempo or Zewa. Any development of new products always focuses on the eco-balance: reduction of consumption, waste, transport, energy and raw material savings. Many products were awarded environment symbols such as the “Nordic Swan”, the “Euro Flower” or the “Blue Angel”. SCA develops, manufactures and markets hygiene products, packaging solutions, printing papers and wood-based materials. SCA products are produced in just under 40 countries and distributed in over 90 nations. Employing approx. 55,000 staff the group generates sales worth eleven billion Euro.