sustainability
Corrugated cardboard is a material that plays a central role in the modern packaging industry due to its sustainability and recyclability. It consists of paper webs that are glued together in a special structure to achieve high stability and low weight. These properties make corrugated cardboard an ideal packaging material for a wide range of products.
Sustainability of corrugated cardboard
The sustainability of corrugated cardboard starts with its production. It is mainly made from wood fibers that come from sustainably managed forests. In many cases, recycled paper is also used as a raw material, which reduces the need for fresh wood while helping to avoid waste. The production of corrugated cardboard is energy efficient and water consumption is relatively low compared to other packaging materials.
Another important aspect of the sustainability of corrugated cardboard is its biodegradability. Should corrugated cardboard enter the environment, it will decompose relatively quickly under natural conditions without leaving any harmful residues. This is a major advantage over plastic packaging materials, which often take centuries to decompose.
Recyclability of corrugated cardboard
Corrugated cardboard is extremely recyclable. The recycling process begins with the collection and sorting of waste paper. In specialised recycling plants, the collected material is dissolved in water and processed into a paper pulp. Foreign substances such as ink and adhesives are removed before the paper pulp is processed into new paper products, including new corrugated cardboard.
The recycling rate for cardboard is impressively high. In many countries, more than 80% of the corrugated cardboard produced is recycled. This closed loop not only reduces the need for new raw materials, but also the amount of waste that ends up in landfills. In addition, recycling paper and cardboard saves energy and reduces CO2 emissions compared to producing new paper from virgin fibers.
Economic and ecological benefits
Using corrugated cardboard as a packaging material offers both economic and environmental benefits. Economically, corrugated cardboard is cost-effective and flexible, making it attractive for companies. It can be easily adapted to different product shapes and sizes while providing excellent protection during transport.
From an ecological point of view, the use of corrugated cardboard or paperboard helps to reduce the ecological footprint. The high recycling rate and the use of renewable raw materials reduce the pressure on natural resources. In addition, the biodegradability of corrugated cardboard supports environmentally friendly disposal.
Conclusion
Corrugated cardboard combines sustainability and recyclability in an exemplary manner. Its production from renewable resources, the high recycling rate and biodegradability make it an environmentally friendly material. By using corrugated cardboard, companies can not only save costs, but also make an important contribution to environmental protection. At a time when sustainable practices are becoming increasingly important, corrugated cardboard offers an excellent solution for responsible packaging and transport of goods. But also for archiving records and documents.