Due
to recent climate changes and our ever-changing environment, it has become more obvious than ever that we
need to look for eco friendly solutions. Now, when it comes to energy
sources and cargo transportation, being green can become quite
complicated. It doesn't take much research to realize how complicated our
climate problems are and how difficult it will be for us to deal with them.
But, the one thing we can do is start small and local. And one of the ways we
can do that is by exploring different
eco friendly packaging options and seeing how we can use them. Don't
underestimate the importance of such small changes, as they often lead to
bigger, more impactful ones.
Cardboard eco-friendly packaging
When
it comes to packaging, the first thing that people think of is cardboard. After
all, the most common type of boxes that
we use is made from it. So, it should come as no surprise that cardboard is
a great solution for packaging in numerous situations. But, how eco-friendly is cardboard, actually?
Most people believe that due to its recyclability and natural materials, it is
the most eco friendly packing solution. But, you'd be surprised.
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| Cardboard is not always the best eco friendly packaging choice |
Why cardboard is often overrated
In
an ideal world, every piece of cardboard would be properly used, saved, and
then recycled. Unfortunately, we do not live in such a world. A big percentage of cardboard is simply
discarded as it is often the easier, hassle-free solution. Therefore, recycling
that cardboard becomes impossible. Now, even if we manage to recycle cardboard,
doing so is not energy free. Don't get us wrong, it is far better than making
new cardboard. But, it still requires a
lot of energy and resources. And, if we continue to use cardboard at the
current rate, those resources might not be enough.
Green cardboard packing
So,
is there a situation where cardboard packaging is the most eco friendly option?
Well, as it turns out, there is. The best
situations for cardboard usage are when you can recycle them easily. Even
though recycling can be costly, it is still much more preferable to purchasing
new packaging or throwing the old ones away. Not to mention that quality boxes
can be reused multiple times, which makes them much more eco-friendly. So,
cardboard can be a green packaging option. Just as long as you use good quality and you make sure to
recycle it afterward.
Plastic eco friendly packaging
Plastic
eco friendly packaging may seem like an oxymoron. After all, the biggest contributor to world waste and
pollution seems to be plastic. With all those garbage patches in the ocean and the fact that it will take
hundreds if not thousands of years for plastic to dissolve, how can one even argue that plastic can be
eco-friendly? Well, as it turns out, there are ways in which you can use
certain plastic containers for eco friendly packaging.
Eco-friendly plastic
The
idea that all plastic is terribly detrimental to our environment is an old one.
Once we started mass producing plastic,
we made it in the most eco-damaging way possible. With little regard for
natural resources, we made countless tons of plastic, and for a long time, we didn't
even bother to recycle.
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| We still have a big, worldwide problem with non-recycled plastic, which is why we need to be careful when using it |
But,
that time is long gone. Now we have eco-friendly, biodegradable plastic that is great for packaging. Whether you
want to store your possessions safely or transport them over long distances,
there are plastic packaging solutions that you can use. Not to mention that plastic containers are sometimes the only
solution for packaging, especially when we are talking about fragile items
or liquid ones.
Cardboard VS plastic
When
it comes to comparing the safety and sturdiness of materials, plastic will almost always be better than
cardboard. There is not a type of cardboard that you can use, no matter the
quality, that can ever compare to a mediocre plastic container. When it comes
to packing and preparing your items for transport, plastic will always come out on
top. You can argue that, in certain situations, cardboard can be better for
gathering moisture. But you can easily deal with that by using proper padding
with plastic containers. The possible downside
to plastic containers is that they are more expensive and harder to recycle.
It is much easier to find a company that recycles cardboard than plastic, as
recycling plastic is more demanding and complicated. But there is a way around
this.
 |
| It
takes much more knowledge and energy to properly recycle plastic then cardboard |
As
it turns out, the best way to use plastic for packaging is to rent it. Numerous companies offer plastic container
rental, and it can easily be one of the eco-friendliest ways to deal with
the packing. By doing so, you are reducing your carbon footprint effectively to
zero (at least when it comes to packaging). Now, you can try renting cardboard
boxes, but this is rarely feasible. Even
the best cardboard boxes will become unusable after a couple of uses.
Meanwhile, plastic containers can remain in pristine condition for years. Now,
renting plastic is not the best solution for long-term storage, for obvious
reasons. But when it comes to eco-friendly cargo transportation, plastic containers are the way to
go.
Natural packaging
Finally, we come to the newest ways in which
companies deal with eco friendly packaging. Namely, numerous Asian companies
have started using completely natural
packaging for their products. Materials made out of hemp, or even banana
leaves are great, especially when used properly. With any luck, these eco-friendly packing trends will catch some wind
and spread to the western nations. So, if you are running a company and are
thinking of different ways in which to pack your products, consider being ahead
of the curve. With some simple designs, you can make all-natural packaging
quite possible.
Acknowledgment
We thank the contribution of Lisa Roberts
