Green Design: Cardboard

Thinking of how my paint containers could be transported, I researched further into paper-based products.

- The UK produces over 8 million tons of cardboard (for packaging) every year.

- Cardboard is made from cellulose fibres that are created from wood pulp. During recycling, the cardboard is soaked and agitated in order to release the fibres that can then be pulped.

- Cardboard can be recycled up to five times before the fibres eventually shorten and then disintegrate. Unlike metals such as aluminium, steel and tinplate, cardboard is not endlessly recyclable, which could cause problems in the future.

- Cardboard is often used as protective packaging to make sure that a product is transported to the consumer safely. Heritage Pioneer say on their website, “Fragile content, including glass products, electronic items and chemical liquids, remain secure and protected with corrugated cardboard packaging.”

- Food products must withstand long shipping times. Corrugated card protects against moisture to keep foods from spoiling during transport.

- Card can be moulded into various shapes and comes in numerous sizes.

- Card comes at an extremely low cost. This is due to the low cost of labor and tools needed for manufacture.

- Cardboard packaging can also be easily printed on. Therefore, no extra material must be wasted to produce a label.

- Post Pack says that, “Cardboard boxes or cartons are the backbone of most transit packaging.”

- Many paper-based materials are cut from sustainable woodlands.

- Boxes can be reused.

Personal thoughts:

Cardboard seems like the obvious choice when it came to thinking out how to transport my paint. Cardboard boxes can be easily recycled and reused, though I was surprised to find they can only be recycled up to five times. This is certainly something to consider.

If paint spilled onto the packaging, it would take a lot of paint to ruin the strong cardboard, yet this could happen in the carriers were not too careful.

However, cardboard is strong, cheap and light. It could hold two paint containers without breaking, though a cardboard handle would have to be very strong to withstand the weight.