For many years the moving industry has wanted an alternative to timber packaging and bubblewrap.  With its Pleatwrap and heavy-duty corrugated crates, Sofrapack in Paris believes it has the answer.  Many movers have made the switch to these more environmentally sustainable products.  But some in the industry seem reluctant to make the switch.  Why would that be?

Guillaume Rochman, from Sofrapack believes it to be a natural hesitancy to change. “It’s very difficult to change habits,” he said. It appears that many business managers take their lead from the crews about their choice of materials. Crews will always want to use what they have always used. If they are given new materials they will often be unenthusiastic about them, claiming them to be difficult to use or slow. “But that’s not true,” said Guillaume. “Given a little time they will get to like them. They might just need some encouragement at the start.”

But why should they?  Why change?  Paper and board materials are cheaper than plastic and wood, also everyone expects timber and plastic packing materials to be banned at some time in the future.  Pleatwrap emits 45% less CO₂ than bubble, for example. Then overs will be forced to change.   More importantly, customers – especially corporations with their own Scope 3 emissions to worry about - are becoming uncomfortable with the use of these materials and will soon start to demand more sustainable alternatives. “Some companies will want to hold out until they are forced to change,” said Guillaume. “Others prefer to think ahead and take the lead.”

So, which are you?