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Sustainability at BOLLSEN
We’re building a quieter world, and a cleaner one. BOLLSEN is cutting plastic from packaging, switching to recycled and certified cardboard sourced in Germany, and introducing grass paper to lower our environmental footprint from the box up.
See what changed Read FAQs
What we changed and why
From plastic to cardboard
We’ve cut plastic from most of our packaging and moved to sturdy cardboard instead. It’s easier to recycle and reduces single-use plastic across our supply chain. Cardboard also keeps fossil-based materials out of the waste stream, which matters for long-term pollution. We want every part of our packaging to tell the same story, from where the materials come from to where they end up.
Adding grass paper
We’re adding grass paper into our packaging portfolio. It uses fewer virgin wood fibers than standard paper, holds up well in print, and has a natural look that fits what we stand for. Processing it takes significantly less water and energy than traditional paper. And there’s a practical side to that natural appearance: every box quietly tells customers something about the direction we’re moving in.
Sourcing & partners
Our packaging comes from Germany and uses recycled and certified materials throughout. We developed these solutions together with our partner pack on GmbH and Nils Harder, who’s carrying on his family’s tradition in packaging. The majority of the box composition uses grass paper, with recycled cardboard added where extra strength is needed.
- German sourcing for tighter quality control and shorter transport routes
- Recycled & certified materials throughout packaging components
- Majority grass paper composition where technically feasible
Rollout & roadmap
We’re rolling out grass paper and recycled cardboard gradually across our production facility in Slovenia. The aim is to replace conventional cardboard with grass paper wherever it works, and keep expanding that as we grow.
Now
Transition underway. Grass paper outer boxes for key SKUs, recycled cardboard across most lines.
Next
Wider rollout of grass paper variants, supply chain and print optimisation, ongoing testing.
Target
By 2026/2027, we expect most standard cardboard to be replaced with grass-paper-based solutions.*
* Subject to technical feasibility, supplier capacity, and regulatory requirements.
From aluminum tins to cardboard tubes
We’re prototyping cardboard tubes to replace aluminum containers. The tube body targets a high percentage of grass paper, while holding up for storage, shipping, and daily use. We’ll phase this in once testing confirms it meets our durability and safety requirements. Cardboard tubes would cut our reliance on aluminum, which is energy-intensive to produce. They’d also be lighter, easier for customers to recycle, and a better fit for what BOLLSEN is trying to be.
Lower-carbon logistics
Shifting air cargo to sea freight
To cut transport emissions, we’re moving international replenishment (especially US shipments) from air cargo to sea freight wherever timelines allow. Sea freight carries significantly lower carbon per unit shipped, and for bulk orders there’s rarely a reason to fly.
- Sea freight for bulk shipments where timelines permit
- Air freight reserved for urgent needs and exceptions
- Ongoing planning to balance CO₂ impact, cost, and stock availability
One world, shared responsibility
We believe we all share one world. We’re trying to find practical ways to reduce our impact while still delivering hearing protection that works. This isn’t a campaign or a one-off initiative. It’s just how we want to build things.
Sustainability – FAQs
Grass paper is a blend of grass fibers and recycled paper. It cuts the need for virgin wood fibers, looks recognisably natural, and has a lower environmental impact than standard paper when used appropriately.
Yes. All our packaging comes from Germany and uses certified, recycled inputs from established suppliers. We review documentation regularly with our partners to keep compliance and traceability in check.
Packaging has to balance sustainability with protection, print quality, and supply reliability. Rolling it out in phases means we can test real-world performance, keep supply stable, and protect product quality while we expand.
We’re testing cardboard tubes with grass paper content. If they hold up to our standards for strength, hygiene, and ease of use, we’ll replace aluminum wherever we can.
Per kilogram moved, ocean freight typically has a much lower carbon footprint than air. We shift bulk shipments to sea to reduce transport emissions, and keep air freight for urgent exceptions.
Follow your local recycling guidance. Cardboard and grass-paper boxes typically go into paper recycling, but if your area has specific rules, those take precedence.
Help us build better packaging
Your feedback shapes what we do next. Tell us how the new packaging is working for you: what you like and what we could do better.
Share feedback Read more FAQsA final word
Sustainability isn’t a checkbox. It’s a direction. We’ll keep testing and improving, building solutions that make sense for people and for the planet, without trading off on safety or comfort.
Alen Kurbegovic
Founder & CEO, BOLLSEN Hearing Protection
Before founding BOLLSEN, Alen held leadership roles in multinational companies, where he specialized in business development and digital transformation. He later applied this expertise to launch BOLLSEN as a brand built on German engineering, eco-conscious design, and evidence-based health outcomes.
Alen oversees every stage of the product lifecycle—from R&D to Worldwide distribution—ensuring compliance with medical standards while optimizing for user comfort and sustainability. He actively collaborates with researchers and health professionals to enhance hearing wellness awareness and product innovation.
Beyond his work at BOLLSEN, Alen is passionate about sharing insights on topics such as tinnitus, misophonia, and hearing science, as well as broader interests in e-commerce, the NBA, and cycling. His writing reflects a blend of professional expertise and personal curiosity.
Today, Alen continues to drive BOLLSEN’s mission: to deliver premium, effective hearing protection that prioritizes health, performance, and the planet.