What are eco-friendly product packaging options?
More and more companies are turning to eco-friendly product packaging solutions. It’s good for the environment and it’s good for business. In this article, we explore several sustainability tips with product packaging and how businesses can work together to help the environment.
1. Work with a box or packaging manufacturer that employs sustainability practices in its processes.
At Uppercut Box Company, we strive to be the most eco-friendly business possible. We are committed to using sustainable materials and manufacturing practices to deliver beautifully printed packaging to our consumers. To meet this goal, we first strive to purchase materials and supplies from environmentally conscious sources.
All of our printing and design is managed in house, which allows for exact quantities and eliminates significant excess waste. In-house printing also saves on the environmental impact of printing plates and print plate equipment. We are able to completely control the environment in which the packaging is produced. We order our materials in bulk and also encourage our customers to do the same. By ordering materials in bulk, it saves on costly shipping as well as carbon emissions.
We recycle all our paper waste from each production, and in turn, feel like we’re helping do our part in eliminating wastes where possible.
2. Choose eco-friendly printing, sizing, and assembly options for your product packaging.
We offer our customers several options to use either partially or fully recycled materials.
Custom boxes that fit the product dimensions can also help support sustainability. By producing boxes that fit your product and not standard “stock” boxes, it eliminates waste in your facility, paper usage, print usage, power, and offers many more positive effects.
We use water and soy-based inks, which allow you to have beautiful graphics that are still recyclable. However, this doesn’t include specialty printing like foil stamping and laminating. In addition to printing, using water-based glues in the formation of your packaging allows you to have compostable boxes with full color, beautiful graphics!
3. Use recyclable materials for your custom printed boxes.
Many businesses are turning to corrugated cardboard boxes as a product packaging option. These boxes are made from wood pulp, which is a biodegradable substance. They are not suited for very heavy products, weatherproofing, or for storage that may be exposed to extreme pressure or if the boxes will be heavily stacked.
Benefits of using corrugated cardboard boxes:
1. Recyclable – Most of the corrugated cardboard box is made from recyclable material. Common materials include birch or pine tree pulp. These trees are fast-growing trees and can be harvested again and again from tree farms that are properly managed.
2. Reusable – Because corrugated cardboard boxes are rather sturdy boxes, they can be reused by consumers in a variety of ways. Larger boxes can be used to store items in a garage or closet. Smaller boxes can be used to store office supplies, jewelry, clothing, and other non-perishable items. Most commonly, corrugated boxes can be collapsed and saved for moving or shipping items.
3. Recyclable – Corrugated boxes can be collapsed and sent to recycling. The material is 100% recyclable. When recycling boxes it is ok to leave the labels and packaging tape on the box but remember to remove any plastic packaging material. The best part about corrugated cardboard boxes is that you can reuse them and when you’re finished, put them in the recycling bin so they can be recycled.
Paperboard is another eco-friendly material to consider with product packaging . It is a solid, pulp fiber-based material available in various grades and thicknesses. It is easy to print on, cut and form and can have a coated or uncoated surface. Paperboard is an ideal packaging material for products that are lighter in weight.
What type of cardboard is not recyclable? Waxed cardboard or cartons are not recyclable. Examples include ice cream cartons, milk cartons, and juice cartons.
Click here to learn more about corrugated and paperboard materials.
Do you have questions about how to make your product packaging and shipping more sustainable and eco-friendly? Talk to one of our packaging specialists today. We can walk you through the entire process and go over all of your options.