Cardboard boxes are great for many things, bringing your package to your door safely, and storing household items and are great companions for when you move house. But did you know they are also great for the environment as it is sustainable packaging?
From small cardboard boxes to big cardboard box choices, these seemingly simple containers have a significant impact on our planet helping make the place we live a lot more environmentally friendly.
Is cardboard good or bad for the environment?
Before we dive into why cardboard is good for the environment and such good friendly packaging solutions, like all other products, cardboard also has its negatives amongst the positives. However, as you can see its positives heavily outweigh the negatives.
| Pros: | Cons: |
|
|
1- Cardboard is recyclable:
All the brown boxes we use at Stock Must Go are crafted from cardboard, a material known for its eco-friendly properties and protective packaging. If you've ever questioned the biodegradability of cardboard, rest assured, it is! According to Dssmith, every piece of cardboard is 100% recyclable. However, it's worth noting that recycling rates can vary by location, ensuring that this material can be reused repeatedly, contributing to our planet's well-being.
Cardboard also has no impact on our environment because it is a recycling material, and by recycling boxes we are reducing processing pollution by around 95% due to the fibre in the cardboard being processed previously. It reduces the need to cut down trees, hence preserving forests and their ecosystems.
2- Doesn’t lose durability:
The quality of the brown box doesn’t deteriorate, in fact, most brown boxes and cardboard boxes start to show some wear and tear after a minimum of 2 months. This is beneficial to individuals because this contributes to their reusability, so you won’t have to worry about throwing your box away after a couple of weeks.
Want to know how to reuse your cardboard box over and over again? Check out our blog on 10 Ways To Reuse Cardboard Boxes.
3- Saves energy:
Did you know that around 90% less water and 50% less electricity is used to make cardboard boxes compared to other materials like plastic? And by recycling, we can save even more energy which can go towards manufacturing other products. Using less energy in the production process, reduces greenhouse gas emissions thereby lessening the impact of global warming.
4- Made from nontoxic materials:
Most cardboard boxes are produced without using bleach as they don’t need to be pristine white. Over 95% of cardboard boxes don’t use bleach in their production process making them much safer overall. Also this is because they don’t contain toxic materials, the boxes are safe to give to pets to chew up, and they aren’t a danger to children or animals.
Environmental impact of using bleach in products:
- Can damage water quality, soil, and wildlife.
- VERY toxic to aquatic life – in water bleach can form dioxins called carcinogens which are poisonous to aquatic life.
- Bleach can release carbon tetrachloride into the air in our homes when used.
- Bleach isn’t biodegradable but is highly reactive so it can decompose.
- Isn’t sustainable due to the toxins inside it, hurting our wildlife.
5- Lowering the carbon footprint:
Cardboard is part of the paper industry, and in 2022 paper was responsible for under 2% of global emissions whereas in 2019 the plastic industry was responsible for 3.4% of global emissions with predictions it will double by 2060.
Using cardboard over plastic is beneficial for the packaging industry as it can play a significant role in reducing global carbon emissions.
Meet Stoxi - Our Brown Box Campaign Mascot:
Get ready to meet Stoxi! He isn’t just our beloved mascot, but he’s also a symbol of our continual dedication to savings and eco-friendly practices. With his delightful personality, Stoxi is here to guide you through the wonders of our Brown Box Deals.
Stoxi is on a simple yet meaningful mission. He's here to prove the true value lies inside the box. He is here to show that excellent quality and top value can be housed within those simple, eco-friendly packages.
Conclusion:
The environmental impacts of cardboard boxes are significant, but by embracing cardboard recycling, recyclable cardboard, and recycled cardboard boxes, we can reduce our carbon footprint! Let's remember that these simple changes in our approach to packaging can go a long way in preserving our planet and ensuring a sustainable future.
Wondering how to make a difference? Always choose cardboard or paper over plastic when it comes to making choices, opt for a paper straw over plastic or perhaps if making an order, request your parcel arrive in a brown box over plastic packaging. So check out our website now, we have a wide range of Brown Box Deals available.
