When most people think of the environmental impact of packaging materials, they tend to focus on how much plastic gets thrown away or recycled every year. While that’s definitely an important metric to consider, it often overlooks other types of packaging such as corrugated boxes that are made from recyclable paper and can be reused and recycled multiple times over the course of their lives. Corrugated boxes are one of the most affordable and efficient ways to ship and store items safely, but they also have other uses, as well as environmental benefits that make them an attractive alternative to other options.
Here are some of the top six environmental advantages of corrugated boxes.
- Recyclable
Because corrugated material comes from trees and cotton plants, as opposed to petroleum, it doesn’t have a limit on how many times it can be recycled. Additionally, because corrugated boxes are essentially recycled paper products (we once were a tree or plant ourselves), they are perfect for helping reduce waste in landfills and keeping our environment green. By reducing their carbon footprint, corrugated boxes are doing their part in protecting our environment.
- Renewable and Reusable
After you’ve shipped your products, corrugated boxes can be used again. Since they’re sturdy and waterproof, they can handle multiple shipments. Plus, since they aren’t made from flimsy paper or plastic, these boxes are more durable than many other shipping materials. This means that a single box can last for several years before it needs to be replaced—and if it does need to be replaced, its cardboard material is easily recycled.
Many corrugated boxes are made from used paper products or recycled materials. In addition to being eco-friendly, these boxes offer savings for your business as well. It’s a great way to get more bang for your buck. As with most things in life, when you purchase high-quality reusable items, you can save money over time.
- Efficient
Compared to other shipping methods, corrugated boxes are relatively lightweight, making them easier and more efficient to transport. They’re also stackable, which means they take up less space in storage facilities. They also provide efficient protection and support to the goods inside them. In fact, it is estimated that around 90% of all items shipped worldwide are transported in corrugated boxes at some point during their journey. That’s a lot of cardboard!
- Versatile
The corrugated box is one of the most versatile shipping containers out there. This medium can protect and/or transport virtually any type of product, from coffee mugs to complex electronics. If you’re looking for an affordable, environmentally-friendly way to ship your products cross-country or across town, a corrugated box might be exactly what you need.
- Easy to Store
If you’re not going to be using your corrugated boxes, they are simple to store. They take up a minimal amount of space and don’t require much care. When they need to be taken out, they can easily be sorted by size or design and then re-used if necessary. The right storage conditions will keep them in great condition for years to come.
- Economic
Since corrugated boxes are reusable, they require less waste and transport. It also means that business owners save on packaging expenses, giving them more money to invest in other areas. In addition, businesses can sell their used boxes for a profit, providing an additional revenue stream. In addition to these economic benefits, recycled corrugated boxes can be used as a source of raw materials for new paper products. This helps protect our natural resources by keeping trees from being cut down for paper production.
The Bottom Line
When you run a business, it’s easy to get caught up in thinking about your product or service and how it will perform. But in today’s competitive marketplace, you need to be thinking about your customers, too—specifically, what kind of experience they have with your brand. If you want them to come back for more, then you need to make sure that every aspect of their interaction with your company is as positive as possible. Atlantic corrugated box manufacturers in Canada That includes their interactions with your packaging. While people don’t typically think about packaging as much as they do products themselves, it can still affect whether or not someone chooses one product over another. Choosing corrugated boxes for your packaging needs is not only a great economic decision for your business but it also sends a strong message to your existing and potential customer base that you are doing your bit for the environment.