Discover the Best sustainable Packaging Solutions

Sustainability: More Than a Trend - It’s a Business Imperative

Sustainability isn’t a choice anymore-it’s a necessity. The floral industry is facing increasing pressure from retailers, legislators, and consumers to provide transparent, sustainable solutions. Major retailers now require detailed, scientifically backed data to measure the environmental impact of products across the entire supply chain (Scope 3 emissions - emissions from your suppliers and logistics, not just your own operations). At the same time, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) laws are shifting the responsibility for packaging waste onto businesses. Without accurate data and compliance, companies risk losing retailer partnerships, facing fines, and falling behind in a rapidly evolving market.

At Royal Dutch Paardekooper Group, sustainability is in our DNA. As the world's leading supplier of floral packaging, we don’t just follow regulations-we help shape them. With over 100 years of expertise, a Royal designation, and our own independent LCA Centre, we ensure that every product we offer is not only compliant but future-proof. We work closely with regulators, advising on packaging legislation in Europe and beyond, so you can focus on what you do best-creating beautiful bouquets and growing stunning plants-while we take care of your packaging challenges.

We will guide you through our more sustainable packaging solutions, explain what makes them better choices, and provide the knowledge you need to make well-informed decisions. In today’s landscape, greenwashing is no longer acceptable—transparent, verifiable data at the product level is the new standard. With Paardekooper, you gain a global partner who ensures your packaging is verifiably sustainable, fully certified, and ready for the future.

Don’t leave your business exposed. Read on to discover how we can help you meet sustainability demands with confidence.

Recy:

Recy® Clear - The Smart Choice for Your Business

Sustainability Without the Guesswork

As a grower, bouquet maker, or wholesaler, you want to focus on what you do best: creating beautiful flowers and plants. But with new sustainability regulations and increasing retail and consumer demands, choosing the right packaging is becoming more complicated.

That’s where Paardekooper comes in. We take the guesswork out of sustainability and make it easy for you to make the right choice. Our Recy® Clear sleeves offer a proven, certified, and more sustainable solution-without sacrificing quality or clarity.

Why Choose Recy® Clear?

• Crystal clear & strong - Just like traditional sleeves but made from high-quality recycled plastic.
• Certified & Transparent - Many suppliers make big claims, but can they prove it? Every Recy® sleeve is backed by scientific studies to show its impact on the environment, and the material is tracked through a reliable chain-of-custody system. 
• Retail-Ready - Large retailers are demanding proof of sustainability. With Recy®, you have all the data you need.
• Made with PCR - Recy® Clear contains up to 70% Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) content, giving new life to plastic waste and reducing your environmental footprint.
• Future-Proof - New  laws on plastic and packaging are coming fast. With high percentages of recycled content, Recy® ensures you’re ahead of the curve, not catching up.
• We’ve Got Your  Back - If a retailer, media outlet, or NGO questions your sustainability claims, we can help you respond with clear, credible proof.

How to Make the Best Packaging Decision

Many companies claim to offer sustainable packaging, but how do you know what’s real? 

Here are three key questions to ask any supplier before choosing a product:

· Can they prove the recycled content? Many certifications are outdated, and some suppliers don’t verify their final products. Look for up-to-date chain-of-custody certification and transaction certificates that confirm the use of post-consumer recycled (PCR) content — like those provided with every Recy® sleeve.

· Do they have full Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) data? If they can’t provide robust peer reviewed data on carbon emissions, water use, and how can you be sure their product is more sustainable?

· What happens at the end of life?
It’s easy to label something “recyclable,” but without an actual system to process it, it still ends up as waste. Recy® is made from mono-material PP - a type of plastic that is easier to recycle because it is made from one material. While large-scale recycling of PP still varies by region, Recy® is designed to align with circular systems as infrastructure improves.

 

Want to make the right choice? If your supplier can’t answer these questions, you might not be getting what you think.

What About Biodegradable and Kraft?

Many people assume that biodegradable or kraft paper is always the better choice. But the truth is more complex:

Biodegradable plastics break down, but that is a waste of valuable material resources that could be used again when recycled. 

Kraft vs. Plastic?
It depends on the full lifecycle. Our scientific LCA shows that standard kraft sleeves generally use less energy than traditional plastic sleeves. But when you compare kraft to Recy® sleeves - made with high PCR content and optimized for recycling - the balance shifts. Recy® outperforms kraft in several key areas, including energy use, transportation efficiency, and end-of-life potential. 

Recy® keeps materials in circulation, helping build a circular economy while reducing waste.

The Bottom Line: We’ve Got Your Back

We’re not just another packaging supplier-we’re your partner in making the right sustainability choices. When you work with Paardekooper, you’re not just buying sleeves. 

You’re getting:

· Robust, science-backed sustainability

· A partner who guides you through industry changes

· A team that stands behind you when questions arise

With Recy® Clear, you don’t need to be a packaging expert to make the right choice. We’ve done the hard work for you.

Want to make sure your packaging is future-proof? Contact us today.

Not sure which sleeve is the best choice for your business? We’ve got you covered.

At Paardekooper, we believe sustainability should be clear and easy to navigate. That’s why we’ve developed an LCA comparison tool that puts all the data from our forensic Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) at your fingertips.

· Compare sleeve options side by side - See how different materials impact Carbon emissions.

· No guesswork - Every option is backed by peer-reviewed science, so you can trust the data.

· Make confident choices - Whether you want the lowest carbon footprint, best recyclability, or most cost-effective option, the LCA tool helps you choose the sleeve that fits your needs.

Not into data? No problem. We translate the facts into simple advice, so you stay in control. You make the final decision-we just make sure you have all the right information.

Want to see how your packaging choices compare? Let’s talk.

When you’re running a business in the floral industry, the last thing you want to worry about is whether your packaging meets sustainability standards. With Paardekooper, you don’t have to worry.

Nearly all of our paper and wood products - from kraft packaging to wooden picks and trays - come from certified responsible sources, and we're working hard to close that final gap. Most are FSC-certified. That means you’re not just using high-quality materials, you’re making a choice that’s better for forests, wildlife, and future generations.

What is FSC® and Why Should You Care?

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC®) is an independent organization that makes sure forests are managed responsibly. When you see the FSC label on a product, it means:

· Trees aren’t cut down faster than they can grow back.

· Wildlife habitats are protected.

· Workers are treated fairly and paid properly.

In Europe, strict laws already require paper and wood packaging to meet sustainability standards. That’s why every single paper or wood product we sell is FSC-certified.

How Much Recycled Material is Used?

There are different FSC labels, and we always choose the best option for sustainability:

✔ FSC Recycled - 100% recycled materials.
✔ FSC Mix - A combination of responsibly sourced new fiber, recycled materials, and controlled wood.

This means that when you buy from Paardekooper, you know exactly what’s in your packaging-no hidden surprises, no vague claims.

What FSC Means for You

· Retailers & customers are demanding sustainable options. FSC helps you stay ahead.

· No headaches over compliance. Our dedicated FSC team makes sure everything is up to standard.

· Sustainability without sacrificing quality. Strong, durable, and 100% traceable.

  When it comes to flower buckets, Paardekooper is one of the largest resellers in the world. That means we take responsibility for offering the highest standards-not just in quality, but in sustainability.

With growing pressure to reduce plastic use and carbon emissions, we’ve developed the NextGen Eco Bucket-a fully recyclable, lightweight, and cost-effective alternative that doesn’t compromise on strength.

Why Choose the NextGen Eco Bucket?

· Science in Practice - Proven by forensic LCA research, this bucket has 26% lower CO₂ emissions than standard black buckets.

· Made from 100% recycled material - We use high-quality mono material, making it easier to recycle at the end of its life.

· 25% less plastic, 47% less energy use - Less waste, lower costs, and a smaller carbon footprint.

· Same strength, more sustainability - Just as durable and stable as traditional buckets, so you don’t have to worry about functionality.

· Better for your bottom line - A more sustainable, cost-effective choice compared to standard options.

Making the Switch is Easy

With sustainability regulations tightening and retailers demanding proof of eco-friendly packaging, the NextGen Eco Bucket helps you stay ahead. Whether you’re a grower, wholesaler, or floral distributor, this bucket is designed to support your business and the environment.

Looking for a smarter bucket solution? Let’s talk.

"Retailers are always asking for less plastic, lower carbon emissions, proof of sustainability-and we have to keep up. Since switching to the NextGen Eco Bucket, we finally have a solution that ticks all the boxes. It’s made from 100% recycled material, cuts our Carbon impact by 26%, and saves us money. Plus, it’s just as strong as traditional buckets, so there’s no downside.

The best part? Paardekooper has our back. Whenever a retailer challenges us on sustainability or asks for documentation, we don’t have to scramble for answers-Paardekooper gives us the facts, the proof, and the confidence to respond. If you’re still using old buckets, you’re missing out-not just on sustainability, but on an easier way to do business."

Floraloop:

FloraLoop: The Circular Bucket System That Works

Imagine a system where flower buckets don’t go to waste-they get reused, over and over again. That’s exactly what we’ve accomplished in Europe with FloraLoop-a proven circular system for managing flower buckets in collaboration with large retailers.

FloraLoop isn’t just an idea-it’s a working solution. In 2024 alone, customers returned almost half a million buckets for reuse in the loop, monitored with smart technology.  The smart technologysystem features radio waves to identify and track bucketsautomatically. It works through RFID tags attached to items and RFID readers that detect and collect data from those tags. This system allows for the best tracking of the buckets and the absence of a deposit system.

How It Works

· Buckets stay in the loop - Instead of being thrown away, they’re collected, cleaned, and reused.

· Reliable supply, even in peak season - No more shortages or fluctuating prices due to raw material costs.

· Paardekooper handles it all - Collection, transportation, cleaning, and delivered to you.

· Easy payment model - You only pay per use-cycle, aligning with existing systems.

· Proven sustainability impact - Less waste, fewer emissions, and real cost savings.

Ready for the Next Step? Let’s Launch This in the Americas

While FloraLoop is already successful in Europe, we are actively looking for partners in the Americas to bring this game-changing system to the next level. If you're ready to future-proof your business, we’re here to make it happen.

Interested? Let’s talk about how FloraLoop can work for you.

Sustainability is no longer optional-it’s a business necessity. While Europe’s Green Deal is setting strict regulations to cut waste and emissions by 50% by 2030 and reach zero waste by 2050, similar pressures are rising globally. In the Americas, major retailers, governments, and consumers are demanding smarter, more responsible packaging solutions that minimize waste and reduce environmental impact.

At Paardekooper, we don’t just respond to change-we drive it. That’s why we partner with Newwen, an innovator in reusable, cost-saving transport packaging designed to meet global sustainability standards while reducing costs and boosting efficiency.

Why Switch to Newwen Reusable Packaging?

· Reusable up to 25 times-dramatically reducing waste and packaging costs

· Eliminates single-use fillers-saving on unnecessary materials

· Optimized for transport-up to 30% lower shipping costs

· Carbon Footprint -fewer shipments, less waste, and a cleaner supply chain

Newwen’s Reusable Polypropylene (PP) Transport Boxes are designed for global logistics. Available in various sizes and fully customizable, they are made from new or recycled materials, ensuring a durable, stackable, and easy-to-clean solution that fits any supply chain.

Technology-Driven Packaging for Smarter Supply Chains

Newwen doesn’t just make packaging-it makes intelligent packaging. Each box comes with RFID and QR tracking, providing real-time visibility and control over shipments.

✔ Track location, quantity, and condition in real time
✔ Automated handling-seamless integration with ERP systems
✔ Temperature & humidity monitoring for sensitive goods
✔ Stackable and foldable-maximizing transport and storage efficiency

With increasing demand for circular supply chains in North and South America, Newwen’s technology ensures logistics stay ahead of evolving regulations and customer expectations.

Paardekooper x Newwen: The Future of Sustainable Transport Packaging

At Paardekooper, we don’t just offer more sustainable solutions-we create them. As partners Newwen, we provide businesses worldwide with the most advanced reusable transport packaging available. Whether in North America, Latin America, or Europe, our solutions help companies cut costs, reduce waste, and stay ahead of sustainability demands

Looking for a transport packaging solution that delivers both cost savings and sustainability? Let’s talk about how Newwen and Paardekooper can future-proof your supply chain.

Timeless Materials with a Sustainable Future

Glass and ceramics have been trusted materials in the floral and packaging industry for centuries. Their durability and aesthetic appeal make them a premium choice, but sustainability remains key. At Paardekooper, we recognize the need to push the boundaries of sustainability in these materials, ensuring they contribute to a circular economy.

Glass: A Circular Material

· Endlessly recyclable - Can be melted down and reused with no loss in quality

· High recycled content - Many glass products today already contain a significant percentage of post-consumer recycled glass

· Energy-efficient production - Using recycled glass requires less energy than producing new glass from raw materials

Ceramics: Durable but Challenging

Unlike glass, ceramics are not widely recyclable, but they offer their own sustainability benefits:

· Extremely durable - Long lifespan means less frequent replacement

· Reusable - Perfect for creating long-lasting floral containers

· Natural materials - Made from clay, a naturally abundant resource

Exploring Sustainable Innovation

At Paardekooper, we challenge ourselves to find better materials, better processes, and better solutions. By increasing recycled content, reducing energy use, and encouraging reuse, we are committed to making glass and ceramics a more sustainable choice for the future.

The future of sustainable materials is in our hands. Let’s push the boundaries together.