Corrugated Cardboard Packaging for the Planet
If you saw the cover of National Geographic magazine this June, you’re not the only one. The cover received a lot of attention with a riveting image and an important question, “Planet or Plastic?” The image showed a plastic bag as the tip of the iceberg that represented the 18 billion pounds of plastic that ends up in the ocean every year. This issue was mailed in a new paper shipper instead of the usual plastic one. The cover story mentions that we use more than 40 percent of plastic only once, and the largest market for plastics today is in packaging materials. The point of the issue was to highlight the importance to use more sustainable packaging materials such as corrugated cardboard.
On the sidelines from the plastics spotlight, we have other packaging materials including corrugated cardboard. It’s important that the printing/packaging industry provides relevant information that allows decision makers, policy-makers, companies, and consumers to feel good about selecting corrugated packaging.
Corrugated packaging, unlike plastics, have a tremendous end-of-life success story. Old corrugated containers, also referred to as OCC, have a near 90 percent recovery rate for roughly seven years. This makes it the most recycled packaging material in the U.S.
Benefits of Corrugated Cardboard Packaging
There are many benefits from using corrugated cardboard packaging over plastic containers. Corrugated protects well by providing a cushion for any product which keeps items safe during long-distance transportation. It is extremely customizable by varying the size and thickness of the panels. Corrugated packaging is also least expensive to produce and sustainable.
Protection
Corrugated cardboard provides a stable cushion to your product(s), and it can keep them safe while transporting boxes long-distance during shipping and handling. Because there are varying sizes and thicknesses in corrugated cartons, you can find the right amount of protection for your products. Corrugated board also keeps moisture away from your products, which is a must if you have food products that need to withstand long shipping times.
Customization
We’ve already talked about the fact that corrugated cardboard can be made in different thicknesses to make a perfect fit for any product. There are also many different treatments, coatings, and adhesives that you can add to it. You can even make it flame resistant! Corrugated packaging comes in all sizes, and you can easily fold it into different shapes. You can also print directly on corrugated board to customize it further.
Cost-effectiveness/Sustainability
Since it doesn’t require high labor costs or other costly tools to make boxes, corrugated cardboard boxes are some of the least expensive packaging currently available. Aside from that, corrugated board is easy to recycle, and the boxes can also be folded back up and stored for re-use again later.
So, if you want to do your part in helping clean up plastics, opt for corrugated cardboard for your packaging needs. You’ll have peace of mind that your product will be protected by an easily customized solution that is cost-effective and sustainable. Utah Packaging can provide you with the corrugated packaging you need for your products. To start your packaging project, contact Utah Packaging at 866-516-1205/801-852-8029 or visit packagingutah.com/request-a-quote.