Consumer demand and government regulations are pushing businesses away from plastic packaging. As plastics face restrictions across the country, companies are searching for alternatives that are durable, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly. Corrugated packaging offers a clear path forward. Below, we’re highlighting the benefits your business could experience by switching over to corrugated packaging.
Do you already know that corrugated packaging is right for you? The Jamestown Container team is here to help. Reach out to our team to set up an initial consultation.
Environmental Benefits
Of course, the biggest advantage to using corrugated packaging is sustainability. Almost all corrugated boxes are made with sustainable material sourced from programs such as the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI), Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), and American Tree Farm System (ATFS).
What’s more, corrugated packaging is recycled at a much higher rate. The American Forest & Paper Association reports that the corrugated board recycling rate fluctuates between 69% and 74%. In comparison, only about 29% of plastic packaging is recycled.
Additionally, corrugated packaging sustainability is much better than plastics and synthetics. Plastics can persist in landfills and ecosystems for hundreds of years. Meanwhile, corrugated cardboard breaks down naturally and leaves no microplastic contamination in soil or waterways.
Strength and Versatility
One common misconception is that choosing an eco-friendly material means sacrificing performance. Corrugated packaging proves otherwise. The size, shape, wall thickness, and flute configuration can all be customized to fit your demands.
A range of industries use corrugated packaging. Food and beverage, e-commerce, retail, and more all rely on this material. It holds up well across temperature and humidity conditions. That’s why it’s such a reliable choice.
Cost-Effectiveness
Corrugated packaging is competitive on price. Material and production costs are usually in line with plastic alternatives, especially when accounting for the full supply chain. Corrugated boxes ship and store flat, meaning businesses can reduce the warehouse space needed to hold packaging inventory.
Regulatory and Compliance Advantages
Regulations around single-use plastics are tightening. Extended producer responsibility (EPR) is an environmental initiative that has been enforced in the paint, battery, and pharmaceutical industries for years. But now, there’s a push to extend EPR to packaging, specifically for plastics and single-use plastics. The goal of this program is to move responsibility for the end-of-life of packaging to the producer rather than the consumer. In many cases, it’s beneficial for businesses to move from plastic packaging to corrugated solutions to avoid potential regulatory issues. View our in-depth blog on this subject here.
Choose Jamestown Container for Your Sustainable Corrugated Packaging Needs
Have questions about corrugated packaging sustainability? Ready to create a custom design? We’re here to help. For over 70 years, Jamestown Container has been helping businesses get the right boxes, POP displays, and other packaging solutions for their needs.
Our support doesn’t stop at packaging. We also offer contract packaging services for our clients. It’s never been easier to streamline your operations and get to market faster. Additionally, we have eVMI services that automatically replenish packaging when you need it. No more emergency stockouts or wasted warehouse space.
Our locations adhere to rigid sustainability practices to minimize our environmental impact. We use recycled linerboard from the Greenpac Mill, which has one of the lowest amounts of paper mill landfill waste in the country. Linerboard from this mill is the most eco-responsible on the market, created from recycled fibers and produced with the energy-efficient deconstruction of landfill wastes. The mill also operates without the use of fossil fuels. Learn more about our commitment to sustainability here.
Let’s Get Started
Want to talk to our team about your packaging needs? Reach out today.