“We have forgotten to be good guests, how to walk lightly on the Earth, as its other creatures do”. Barbara Ward, founder of the International Institute for Environment and Development, already spoke some time ago about our true mission: learning to be good guests on the Earth.
So, our history, society and economy have changed with the Earth, with our way of exploiting the resources that sprout from her. Little by little we are walking back, returning to the countryside, to farming, and to what is natural, with what we eat and consume, the places where we rest and that help us to regain our strength.
Slow values, the values of the hand that cultivates and cares, are acquiring more value than ever today. That’s why natural products have slipped into our priorities as consumers; and the packaging sector is adapting to the new reality and committing to sustainable materials. The packaging that transports the products from the farmer to the customer is the agent for keeping them fresh and maintaining their quality. The packaging that contains what most (and best) connects us to the Earth should transfer the natural essence of the products throughout the chain, as well as be communicative and protective.
From the Earth to the shopping cart: a commitment
A perfect example of this importance of the packaging is what is used in the viticulture sector. This industry works very close to the soil, and its respect for Nature is only exceeded by its dependency on her. From the grape harvest, through chemical processes, to the packaging process, the challenge to make this chain as natural as possible is immense.
The commitment to the environment is palpable in the work of the wineries and farmers, jobs that have so much to do with craftsmanship, what is natural, and our cultural history. Given that drinking wine is so often associated with a celebration, its packaging, and that of any fresh product, should have positive impact on us. A packaging solution such as Bag in Box is ideal for the needs of this sector: it is biodegradable, reduces costs and its technical characteristics enable it to better maintain the quality of the product.
On the other hand, companies in the agricultural sector are also clear that freshness is non-negotiable and cannot be compromised, this being a determining factor in their activity, as is quality and sustainability. Making good use of the soil, learning how to prepare it, care for it and treat it, is essential and can determine, not only the production, but also the quality of the vegetables.
The commitment to sustainable packaging is essential so that any efforts in innovation and best practices in the sector are not made in vain; and so that the product that has sprouted from the earth reaches the shopping cart in perfect condition, without losing any of its freshness or quality. Therefore, materials such as corrugated cardboard are a reliable and consistent option, since they are renewable, easy to customise, and assure food safety.
Accompanying and advising companies in their commitment to what is natural
At Hinojosa, we like to work very closely with our customers, listening to their needs and adapting to their suggestions. We were pioneers in the 80s when it came to introducing cardboard to the agricultural sector, and we have not stopped working since then to create the most sustainable and innovative solutions.
The best way to protect a fresh product is with a packaging that goes beyond sustainability and is as natural as it can be. In other words: what is of the Earth returns to it. In the Hinojosa catalogue, you will find the perfect packaging solutions for fresh products, such as our heat-sealable cardboard punnets. Customisable in all their formats, they can be adapted to any sealing line, and extend the life of fruits and vegetables.
As well as working to achieve logistical, technical and economic benefits, sustainability is our priority. The agricultural packaging we offer to our customers has energy-saving characteristics, it optimises the useful life of fruits and vegetables, provides maximum product visibility and reduces plastic by 95%. A packaging solution of these characteristics fulfils the commitment that we, together with our customers, have with nature. Thus, we learn to be better guests on Earth, as Barbara Ward said, also with what we consume.
