The packaging industry commonly uses custom cardboard boxes. People pack the products to give them great security and safety. You will find a variety of cardboard sheets. Also, you find them in different thickness densities. However, you may look for other materials too. Let’s read the alternatives you could use instead of these.
8 Alternatives to Cardboard Boxes
Despite using traditional boxes, people always look for something new. It doesn’t mean alternative to inexpensive cardboard boxes aren’t good. However, there are some flaws in it that you need to know. You should consider cardboard box alternatives for the second option. A huge amount of waste from cardboard diy is collected annually. Mostly it gets wasted, and the authorities dump it somewhere. It remains unused and unprocessed for years. The accumulation of material is not good for the Earth as it slowly destroys the planet. To limit this process from happening, you need to shift to something effective. Try to use something biodegradable.
Thus, associating all products with a similar packing material is wrong. Manufacturers pay great attention to what they are making. They might use various raw materials to make it efficient. Therefore, a huge responsibility lies on their shoulders regarding this selection. Below is the detail of alternatives to cardboard boxes.
1. Cornstarch
As the name suggests, the raw material used for this is corn. What they do is process it. Then they mold it into different shapes and sizes. Modifying this material is easier because it can bend quickly and is better than plastic. It is suitable for many products. You can design packaging for food items, apparel, jewelry, medicines, cards, etc. But it has a drawback which is its cost because the food industry largely consumes it. Hence, high competition always exists about which industry requires them more. So before using it for boxes, a company must look for its pricing.
2. Bubble Wrapping
You might have seen bubble wrapping on glass made or delicate decorative items. They use it for makeup, medicines, decoration items, electronics, etc. Hence, there is a great demand for it to keep the products safe. If you are worried that they made it with plastic, then don’t worry. Box makers use corrugated material to make bubble wrapping. You would see small cuts with air-filled bubbles. However, it appears like plastic-made ones but not in reality. The cuts provide a cushion to the item packed inside. So products don’t move in it and reach their destination securely. Moreover, they use eco-friendly materials, so you don’t have to worry about environmental damage. You will get various sizes of sheets to match your demand.
3. Mushroom Made Packaging
It is unique and eco-friendly. Makers design it with mushrooms and a mixture of agricultural products. Then, they can shape it in the required shape. The raw material is not scarce as it is grown in abundant quantities worldwide. Its cost has been almost constant for a long period.
4. Peanut Packaging
Yes, again, this one is made from food-composed material. You would use this when you want the product to bear the shock or accidental fall. It allows products to reach their destination location safely. Sometimes, they add an extra filling layer inside the box of products. Therefore, it prevents the product from getting scratched by accidental contact with other products packed together. In most countries, this packing technique is very common because of its eco-friendliness features.
5. Seaweeds Packaging
Sometimes they require gelatin for packages. So what they do is they use seaweeds to get gelatin. It produces similar results as you achieved through cornstarch. The seaweed provides a soft cushion-like effect to the product. Hence, it is great for the transportation of delicate items.
6. Cardboard that is Recycled
This one has great significance in this field. If you prefer using recycled ones, then it somehow saves the environment. It is better than using new cardboard present in the market. The use of organic material is better. You could even use it after recycling it a few more times.
7. Plastics Packaging
Plastic is not good for the environment. However, if you choose a biodegradable one, then it is best. This basic material is necessary when packing heavy items for shipment. The paper would not withstand its transportation journey’s wear and tear process. The only option left is plastic. Use the one you can dump in the environment for decomposition so the environment is safe. You will have to do deep research about its types and forms. After you get it, do a test for biodegradability.
8. Other Edible Material
In your daily routine, you consume different kinds of edibles. For example, biscuits, chocolates, candies, etc. Have you wondered how differently they have packed these? Yes, they use sustainable materials. It protects the food from contamination and other impurities. They design the wrappers with lightweight. Although, you would see many variations in the colors, sizes, and quality. They mostly use natural substances. Then it doesn’t have a bad effect on the environment.
How to pack without boxes
What Material Is Better Than Cardboard?
For years, organic cardboard boxes have served the world. It helped them in the transportation of various heavy or lightweight goods. The shipment of products was easier through them. People always look forward to it no matter how heavy or delicate the products are. Similarly, they would easily stack them anywhere. However, with time, people became aware of the environmental damage it caused.
Despite the immense benefits, it had many drawbacks. These drawbacks have encouraged them to shift to alternatives. Suppose we replace them with other packaging material; it is a better option. With perfect packing, you could contribute to environmental safety. Use natural materials as it is now crucial. We have discussed many of its replacements. Choosing a material like biodegradable plastic or corrugated sheets meets this requirement. Also, make sure you can mold your selected substances into shapes easily.
Nowadays, the industry has been using smartly designed boxes. That is because sometimes it is quite challenging to carry heavy ones. Their shipment becomes difficult as well costly. You had to keep the huge cartons in warehouses if there was insufficient space in the cargo. Hence, it contributed to additional warehouse charges. In such scenarios, selecting particular custom packing material along the sizes situation would be far better.
Similarly, you can overcome these problems by looking for substitutes that can be light in weight. It reduces the burden of additional payment for the extra weight. With a little research and examination, you will come across numerous other options. The market has now completely changed as it is welcoming new raw materials. Box makers are now willing to change their traditional techniques.
What Is the Lifespan of Cardboard?
There is no specific answer to the life of cardboard. Its lifetime is sometimes unpredictable. It’s because they use different numbers of sheets for packing. For every order, it has a variable number of sheets. Some demand the use of thick sheets, and some use thin sheets. Moreover, the choice of the cardboard sheet’s thickness depends on what you need to keep inside the box. Several factors are involved in predicting its life. As discussed above, the main factor revolves around the quality of cardboard sheets. If the quality is high, it will survive for a great time. A thin layered box will expire in a few uses.
The second factor is how you handle it. It will survive if you use it with care, like protecting it from water and sunlight or keeping it stacked nicely. Generally, it might survive for two years if not exposed to a severe environment. But the condition is that it should get proper ventilation. Otherwise, it might decompose in a short while. Keeping it in a damp environment deteriorates it in a short time. You can now conclude that the way of keeping cardboard boxes could have contributed to their lifetime.
Conclusion
Cardboard packaging is no doubt a popular choice. However, if you would replace this material with alternatives, then it’s good. It not only satisfies the customers but also keeps the earth healthy. Always hire a reputed company to achieve a premium experience from their services.