Sustainability

1. Corrugated packaging contains recycled content and is recyclable.
   
   The main ecological advantage of corrugated boxes is that they are made from high percentage of recycled paper, think cartons or news[aper, and can be recycled again after they have been used. Similarly, most corrugated packaging is made without dyes or bleaches, meaning it can be disposed of more sustain-ably than other types of material that contain contaminants.
   
   
2. Corrugated packaging is renewable.
   
   Manufactured from paper pulp, corrugated packaging is predominately made from timber from fast-growing pine trees but can also be created from wood-chips and leftover materials from a range of paper-making processes. Plus, most corrugated packaging is made up of around 70% to 100% of recycled material.
   
   
3. Corrugated packaging is reusable.
   
   Not only is corrugated packaging easily recyclable and renewable, but it can also be reused as is, helping to further reduce packaging costs and the environmental impact. Many corrugated case styles are designed to be easily collapsible, and fully reusable. Most boxes are not instantly disposed of, so why not make the most of their durability? Corrugated is known for being a solid, sturdy solution that can carry a range of weights–so cases can be used over and over for an array of products.
   
   And when cases reach the end of line, consumers can still reuse them for storing documents or as floor protectors when redecorating, for example. And, when they are finally done with them, consumers can simply recycle them.
   
   
4. Corrugated packaging helps to save energy.
   
   Another benefit of corrugated packaging having a high percentage of recycled components is that it requires less energy to make. Rather than producing cases from 100% virgin materials, most corrugated manufacturers make products from locally sources recycled content–which also minimizes damage caused by excessive transportation.
   
   
5. Corrugated cases offer efficient protection for your products.
   
   Many businesses today are creating right-sized boxes for their products to help cut down on the amount of material waste. Doing so can also go a long way towards helping reduce your business’ carbon emissions when it comes to shipping and transport. Since boxes are usually rectangular–meaning they can easily and neatly stack with little space wasted–it allows businesses to fit more products into a smaller number of vehicles, which makes a huge difference to a company’s carbon footprint.

Most people are familiar with corrugated cardboard, as it is a widely used packaging material that can be customized to store, shop and protect nearly any product. But what do you really know about the sustainable facts behind this extremely environmentally responsible material? Explore the statistics below, and discover the benefits of corrugated.

• 93% of corrugated containers use materials supplied by Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) program participants, who are dedicated to sustainable forestry.
• Nearly 60% of energy used by the U.S. paper industry is from renewable biofuels.
• The average corrugated box was made up of 43% recycled fiber in 2006.
• 80.7% of corrugated material produced in 2008 was recovered for recycling, and nearly all was recycled into new products.
• The corrugated industry reduced its fossil fuel consumption by 56% between 1972 and 2006.
  
  All of the above statistics are from the Corrugated Packaging Alliance. Learn more about corrugated and sustainability by contacting Corrugated Concepts.