When it comes to packaging our products, probably the most prevalent material we use is plastics. However, plastic has the nasty habit of sticking around and taking a long time to decompose. Literal mountains and islands of plastic waste attest to the plastic’s inability to decompose.
That is why a lot of companies are switching to something more sustainable – cardboard packaging. It is not only companies who are interested in cardboard packaging. Many customers are becoming environmentally conscious and prefer products packaged in accordance with their beliefs.
However, environmental issue is not the only reason why many companies switch to cardboard. There are some other advantages which put this material ahead of the competition.
Printable
The most important function of a packaging is to keep the product safe. However, it is also an ideal place for some additional marketing. Cardboard is an ideal material for printing since it is essentially paper – the material for which we have developed writing and printing methods for ages. Designers at The Box Co-Op give some handy tips for box design in this article https://www.boxcoop.com/packaging-university/box-design-tips/.
Renewable and Recyclable
Another important aspect of cardboard is that it is made of paper. This material is not only recyclable, it is up to 100% recyclable. That means that cardboard packaging is much more eco-friendly than any other variety. It is estimated that cardboard packages are somewhere between 70 and 90% recycled material. There are companies which produce cardboard and paper which are 100% recycled, creating no additional pollution and cutting down no more trees.
Durable
Cardboard can be extremely durable if the need arises. The combination of composition and clever folding design can make cardboard surprisingly tough and able to withstand significant pressure. Different types of boxes can be used for different products, depending on their characteristics.
Lightweight
Despite all of its advantages, cardboard is very light. It is essentially paper, so it doesn’t weigh much at all. This helps when weight is an issue, such as with long distance transport as much as it helps when customers have to carry their shopping items home.
Variability and Availability
Cardboard boxes are available just about everywhere. The technology for making cardboard is not expensive, nor is it complicated, so even the less developed countries have access to it. With this availability comes variability as well. Since it is used for a multitude of purposes, cardboard is shaped into different sizes, shapes, and types of boxes.
Inexpensive
Finally, among the most important aspects of business, cardboard packaging is fairly inexpensive to make. Consequently, it is cheap for the companies which purchase it to package their products. Ultimately, this saving should trickle down to the consumer, making the product slightly cheaper.
Cardboard packaging is a modern success story. It is both inexpensive and environmentally friendly, which is not always easy to achieve. Even though it is not without its flaws, cardboard is still probably the best option for the majority of products.