Cardboard packaging vs. Plastic packaging

 

Introduction

Cardboard packaging against plastic packaging: this is a reflection that many logistics managers are currently asking for! Indeed, given the increasingly restrictive legislation on the use of plastic and consumers' expectations regarding eco-responsibility, it is natural that you want to study the alternatives to plastic packaging, which were still the ultimate for many businesses a few years ago.

What if we supported you in comparing the benefits of cardboard packaging and plastic packaging, as well as in discovering good practices for choosing the solutions adapted to your needs?

Let's go! What should you choose between cardboard packaging and plastic packaging?

Why is cardboard packaging so popular?

Have you noticed that today more and more companies, all sectors of activity combined, use corrugated cardboard for packaging their products?

It is no coincidence: the trend of packaging and cardboard packaging is resurfacing because this material has everything to integrate perfectly into the packaging processes of companies.

The advantages of cardboard packaging

For starters, there are some significant advantages to using cardboard to help you get your orders shipped the right way. Indeed, the cardboard

is very protective, and in particular, it resists bursting, shocks, humidity, or temperature variations, can withstand vertical compression as well, if you choose stackable crates or cartons, and is designed in the right groove. In addition, it allows maximum adhesion of adhesive tapes: a godsend for securing your packages as much as possible!

It is easily customizable: if it is possible to create your tailor-made cardboard, you can also apply printing or embossing techniques, which allow you to highlight your brand image.

It saves storage space since cardboard packaging is primarily stored flat.

It is eco-responsible if the material used is recyclable, recycled, or biodegradable.

Faced with these benefits, it is therefore not surprising that so many structures have chosen corrugated cardboard packaging to send their packages safely!

The keys to choosing good cardboard packaging

Cardboard boxes, American boxes, cigarette boxes, and postal boxes… Cardboard packaging products are available in many formats. So how do you choose the cardboard packaging that will suit your needs?

First of all, always choose cardboard packaging stamped with the LNE (National Metrology and Testing Laboratory) standard. This is indeed a standard that ensures the quality of the manufacturer's checks on its products: enough to ensure that your goods are packaged in the best possible custom packaging for small business.

Then, be sure to choose the right groove according to your needs for protection and lightness. While single corrugated packaging will be ideal for lightweight shipping products, double corrugated or reinforced double corrugated cardboard can be useful for packaging products weighing up to 40 kg. As for the triple corrugated cardboard should be reserved for the packaging of heavy or very fragile products.

Need to choose the right cardboard groove for your products? Consult our article "Single, double or triple corrugated cardboard? What do you need?" and make the right choice now!

Then you need to select a packaging suitable for your type of product. Good news: there is a wide range of cardboard packaging formats, ideal for all kinds of goods! For example, choose cartons with braces or cradles to wrap bottles; or insulated cardboard packaging if you plan to ship fresh products.

Finally, something not to be overlooked: the selection of packaging suited to your delivery method. Your customers or carriers do not have the exact needs, depending on whether you distribute your products by click-and-collect, at home, or for take-out! For example, to facilitate click-and-collect or home delivery, be sure to choose packaging with handles.

Need to choose your next industrial cardboard packaging? Consult the SM Custom Packaging guide dedicated to the subject: you will find all the keys to selecting the proper packaging solution for your business!

Some examples of cardboard packaging trends

Quick-Assembly-Packaging      

Instant-mount cardboard boxes Where bellows. The principle is simple: these packagings are designed to save you time on your order preparation chain by limiting the number of operations your operators have to do to assemble the box.

Height-Adjustable-Body-1       

Variable height boxes with grooves every centimeter allow your operators to pack your products as closely as possible by cutting excess material on the packaging boxes. Enough to save you wedging material and limit the void in your packages easily!

Integrated-Foam-Wedging-Packaging          

Cardboard packaging with integrated cushioning. With this packaging, you also limit the use of cushioning since it is directly integrated into the product. Available in foam wedging version, they are particularly suitable for protecting your fragile objects in two stages, three movements.

Round-Trip Cardboard-Packaging       

Round-trip cardboard packaging these are designed to withstand two shipments: the outward and return order. Therefore, they are ideal for e-merchants looking to improve the customer experience related to order returns.

Postal-Box-Packaging     

Postal packaging (flat cardboard box, extra-flat cardboard box, or kraft paper envelopes and mailing sleeves) allows your parcels to go to the letterbox as soon as the postman passes by. A real benefit for shortening the delivery times of your small products!

Isothermal Cardboard    

Insulated cardboard for products sensitive to temperature variations. Yes: some cardboard packaging solutions allow you to keep your goods at the desired temperature!

Salad Bowl-Round-Cardboard-1         

Food packaging in cardboard (salad bowls, burger boxes, chips pockets, boxes, trays…). They are becoming more and more necessary for businesses selling food to comply with the law while facilitating take-out.

Kraft-Paper-Bag-1 

Paper bags and sachets, it's up to you to choose among the different formats available, to facilitate the transport of your products in all eco-responsibility.

Adhesive-Kraft-Paper-1 

Kraft paper adhesive: the eco-responsible alternative, and just as resistant, to the traditional plastic adhesive. This adhesive tape, associated with recyclable boxes, facilitates your packaging products' excellent end of life.

So plastic packaging should be banned?

Now that you understand the benefits of cardboard packaging, you might be wondering why so many companies continue to use plastic packaging on their order picking line?

Take a look at the plastic packaging question to decide which product line to direct for your logistics needs.

Update on plastic packaging legislation

It's a fact: all around the world, laws are getting tougher on the use of plastic packaging. For the sake of eco-responsibility and circular economy, we have seen the emergence of recent years...

Conclusion

However, if you look at these laws, you will see that it is not the plastic material that is targeted but… single-use plastic. It is indeed this type of use of packaging that is responsible for plastic pollution. And that is why packaging manufacturing experts are developing more and more ecological solutions.