The World’s Lungs Are in Trouble

Tropical forests are disappearing faster than ever before! In fact, 2023 saw the highest rate of tropical deforestation ever recorded!

That’s not just a sad stat for nature documentaries - it’s a serious problem for the whole planet. These forests store huge amounts of carbon, regulate rainfall, and help keep global temperatures stable. They’re often called the lungs of the Earth, and for good reason: they help us all breathe easier, whether we live near them or not.

So what’s behind this rapid loss? The biggest drivers are agriculture (mostly cattle farming and palm oil), illegal logging, and mining. Huge areas of rainforests are being cleared to make way for industries that feed global demand - for meat, timber, oil, minerals, and more.

It’s easy to feel like this is all happening somewhere far away, completely out of our hands. But the truth is, the choices made in shops, warehouses, and supply chains here in the UK are often connected to what’s happening over there.

That doesn’t mean the weight of the world’s forests is sitting on your shoulders, but it does mean there are ways we can all help.

We’re not expected to fix everything overnight, but we can be more mindful of the small decisions we make day to day. One of the biggest ways we can make a difference is by paying attention to where the things we buy come from, especially materials like paper, wood, and packaging. Products made with virgin pulp from unsustainable sources can contribute directly to deforestation, often without us even realising it. But the more we ask questions, support better options, and reduce waste, the more pressure we take off the system.

Here are a few simple ways to help:

• Look for certifications like FSC when buying paper, cardboard, or wooden products. It means the material comes from responsibly managed forests, not ones being chopped down illegally or irresponsibly.

• Choose recycled materials whenever you can. They reduce the need for new raw materials and help keep existing resources in use.

• Cut back on unnecessary packaging especially when sending parcels or wrapping gifts. Less waste = less demand!

• Reuse before you replace. Packaging, boxes, even tissue paper - if it’s still got life in it, use it again!

• Support businesses doing it right. Whether that’s buying from eco-conscious brands or encouraging your suppliers to go greener, it all helps move the dial!

It’s not about being perfect, but about being aware. If lots of us start making small, better choices, that ripple effect adds up to something much bigger!

At Packaging World, we’ve always tried to make sustainable choices as easy as possible for our customers. Many of our products, like our Sunflower and Poppy boxes, are FSC certified, which means the paper comes from responsibly managed forests! That means better practices, more accountability, and less impact on the world’s most vulnerable ecosystems!

We know packaging alone isn’t going to save the rainforests, but it’s a start! Every small decision adds up, especially when made by thousands of small businesses, creatives, and customers who care.

So next time you're wrapping a product or sending out an order, take a second to think about the materials you're using. Are they recycled? Responsibly sourced? Built to last?

It might seem like a small thing, but its small things that start to shift the tide!