Packaging reduces waste. Recycling waste paper and packaging responsibly reduces litter and landfill.
Paper-based packaging can be part of a solution against global food wastage – which amounts to as much as 1.3 billion tonnes – one third of food produced worldwide for human consumption – by minimising wastage and food damage along the chain.
The primary function of packaging in all its forms; plastics, tins, glass and paperboard is to protect goods whilst in transit, storage and distribution. It prevents waste through breakage, spoilage and contamination, and extends product shelf life. A secondary, but important, purpose is to provide consumer information about the product and help with brand identity and differentiation. Minimising waste, particularly food, is a vital global challenge.
Paper-based packaging protects and informs, and comes in all shapes and sizes – often commonly recognised as Corrugated or Cartons.
Corrugated:
Cartons:
Paper-based packaging:
Paper-based packaging has an excellent environmental record. On average, UK manufactured corrugated boxes contain 76% recycled fibre. Once used, paper-based packaging is easy to recycle. In the UK and Europe, the collection of packaging is hugely successful with over 80% collected for recycling.11 This superb recycling rate prevents an area of board the size of Greater London from going to landfill every four months.
Consumers prefer paperboard packaging. According to a recent survey, 57% of UK consumers prefer paper-based packaging.12
9 Confederation of Paper Industries/ The Packaging Federation, 2014
10 Eurostat, 2015
11 Confederation of Paper Industries, Review 2014-2015
12 Confederation of Paper Industries/ YouGov, 2014