Economical Corrugated Shipping Boxes for Sustainable Packaging Uses

Economical corrugated shipping boxes are designed to be recyclable, with lightweight and durable features for safe product shipments. The amount of recycled content in the boxes will depend on the type of products to be carried and the raw materials that were used for their production. Being made mostly with paper, corrugated boxes are highly recyclable and reusable, reducing their contribution to wastage despite the large volume of use.

As the name suggests, corrugated boxes or rigid film cartons are generally built from paperboards, with a single or more layers of paper folds and air columns that serve as cushions, while the boards support the box’s stability. Some corrugated cartons produced by packaging companies like World Packaging Co., Inc. have one-layered boards which are mostly used for lighter items, while multiple-faced cartons are used for larger and heavier merchandise.

As corrugated boxes make use of paperboards, they will almost always contain reusable components and materials. Ridged paperboard facings may be made of either virgin or recycled fibers, but the use of one or the other will often not make a difference it appearance. The choice between virgin and recycled materials, however, will depend on the box’s use.

Longer and tougher, virgin fibers are generated through a process called chemical pulping wherein chemicals are used to heat wood to extract the fibers. With better interweaving qualities, virgin fiberboards are often used for to pack expensive or fragile end-products like electronics. Meanwhile, relatively sturdy items that do not require much protective support can greatly benefit from recycled fiberboards. Either way, users should get their boxes from established suppliers of high-quality industrial packaging supplies to ensure the safety of their products.

According to the CPA, corrugated boxes impact the environment in each of the 4 phases in their lifespans. The first is from pulping and papermaking, which make use of either virgin or recycled fibers, then the conversion of the boards into boxes, followed by the use of the boxes, and finally their recovery for either recycling or disposal in landfills/incinerators. The present industry average product composition of 46% recycled content has resulted in significant decreases in harmful gases emissions and fossil fuel depletion, although box users and makers are saying that 100% virgin fibers are still needed for certain products.