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Boxes are the one product that is used by mostly all businesses, whether it be to package food, small items or large parcels. It is a product which is used by businesses all over the world. Corrugated Boxes are not only used for work but are used at home and for other tasks as well.
Due to the increase in E-commerce in recent years many packages are ordered online and shipments are made by delivering the packages straight to the consumers doorstep. The increase of online shopping has caused a rise in the number of boxes which are entering consumers homes.
Corrugated boxes are the most used when it comes to shipments since they are sturdy and can be used to fit a variety of substances. However, not many consumers stop to think about the materials that are used while making them.
Boxes are mostly made up of corrugated materials which can often be mistaken as cardboard. If consumers want to lean towards a more sustainable approach then they can invest in recycled corrugated boxes. Recycled corrugated boxes are better for the environment since they contain recycled fibers.
Corrugated is one of the few materials that can be used for recycling through a well established and healthy market hence it never needs to go to waste. Companies and consumers collect and return the corrugated materials they have used so that they can be recycled into new ones.
Recycling is obviously the future and helps to create a more sustainable economy. One advantage of recycled corrugated material is not only that they are environmentally friendly but can also help in reducing the increasing rates of deforestation. Continuing on with the advantages, the recycled materials that usually end up in landfills will be reused in the material of these boxes hence, reducing the growth of multiple landfills, this will in turn reduce the methane effect.
Consumers are always looking for an environmentally friendly alternative. The percentage of corrugated material collected for recycling over the years has increased.
Even though these recycled boxes have obvious environmental benefits it is important to ensure that they are the right fit for your products. After virgin materials are used once, they can be re-pulped five times until they reach a point at which they cannot be reused.
During that process the fibers grow weaker and shorter, when compared to the original material. So, from a business point of view using these recycled corrugated boxes may not be the best approach for fragile products or food. These boxes are made up of weak and short fibers which are not as durable when compared to virgin corrugated boxes.
If a company were to ship their product and damage is caused to it because the package was not durable, the company will have to reship their package. This will tamper with the company’s reputation. Although, consumers are inclined to using products which have less of a negative impact towards the environment. It also helps in increasing revenue for the end consumer since OOC has become increasingly valuable to paper mills and manufacturers.
Companies and retailers are now providing products in recyclable corrugated boxes by purchasing them in the right size for the right use. They are also prompting the use of materials such as fiber chips. The boxes that are used include an emblem.
Companies may make the extra effort to encourage consumers to place their empty boxes into recycling bins instead of throwing them away. This allows industries to reduce their environmental footprint. In order to make this aim more effective everyone should make a collective effort to reduce their environmental footprint!
Bahisht Nadeem
The Effect of the UN’s New Treaty on Plastic Waste in the Packaging IndustriesOn March 3rd, a UN conference was held in Nairobi concerning plastic consumption. The UN’s environmental assembly conducted a meeting in which, Ministers of the environment as well as 175 nations attended. A legal contract was made regarding plastic waste in the environment. It was said that the treaty would be implemented in the second half of 2022 and would be completed by 2024. By the end of the conference 14 resolutions to this problem were discussed out of which only 2 will affect packaging industries.
‘Resolution to end plastic pollution: towards an international legalling binding instrument’ and
‘Resolution on an enhacning circular economy as a contribution to achieving sustainable consumption and production’.
The increase in plastic pollution is harmful for many reasons and one of those reasons is the harm it causes to marine life. The plastic debris lead to suffocation, ingestion and entanglement of hundreds of marine species. The aim of this treaty is to eradicate or minimize plastic usage in countries, in hopes for ‘Long term elimination’.
One resolution is for countries to lean towards sustainability. An ecological balance should be maintained in order to preserve our natural resources. The UNEA has stated that there is no single approach to tackle this issue. 70 organizations which include major brands such as Coca Cola and Nestle have supported the transition towards sustainability and cutting down on plastic usage in their companies.
France has banned plastic packaging that comes with fruits and vegetables and is taking steps towards reusable packaging. Soft drinks Europe has promised that by 2030 they will be cutting down on plastic packaging completely, and taking steps towards reusable packaging. By 2030, Coca cola will be selling 25% of their beverages in reusable containers or plant based bottles(PET) which are made using 30% of plant based materials. CEFLEX is focused on producing flexible packaging from which 17% of the packaging will be recycled.
They have also received funding from granted Uk research and innovation so that they will be able to promote and redesign flexible packaging.
The treaty which has been composed by the UN can also be seen as an advantage for packaging companies since they might get more investment and interest in the future. This treaty will put added pressure to packaging companies and will encourage them to add new policies regarding plastic usage. This added pressure is essential if a change is to be made regarding the increase of plastic pollution in various nations. While the treaty is being implied the UN expects more legislation from governments in order to restrict plastic usage. This will lead to a major shift in the usage of biodegrade bale or compostable plastic.
Another solution was chemical recycling since that might have helped in improving recycling rates but according to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) this would have created more problems in the future. WWF argued that there was not enough research to prove chemical recycling would bring additional benefits. Until the treaty is completely finalized countries will set their own goals for managing plastic pollution while taking into account their national circumstances.
If nothing is implemented 80 million tones of plastic will be entering the ocean by 2040. The UNEA treaty will encourage plastic packaging companies to set targets and promote sustainability which will have a major impact. However, since the UN treaty will take time to be implemented it is mandatory that countries make efforts side by side to ensure there is an effective change in the environment.
-Bahisht Nadeem
