What are the cons of cardboard boxes?

09 Apr.,2024

 

Whether you are starting a business or adding a new offering to your product line, it is important to consider how you will package items for shipping. In particular, the type of carton you use is crucial. Many businesses choose cardboard boxes, but are they right for your needs?

 Before you make a purchase, it is important to consider the pros and cons of cardboard shipping cartons from many perspectives. In the article below, we cover some of the key characteristics of these containers and the benefits and drawbacks of going with cardboard.

Before you make a purchase, it is important to consider the pros and cons of cardboard shipping cartons from many perspectives.

Durability

Shipping cartons need to survive the rigors of whatever shipping channels you use. How does cardboard measure up?

Pros:

  • Cardboard—specifically, corrugated cardboard —has excellent strength.
  • Cardboard has a good strength-to-weight ratio.
  • Corrugated cardboard cartons do a great job of protecting their contents from damage in the shipping stream.
  • Cardboard cartons can be reused by recipients.

Cons:

  • Not for extremely heavy items. If the wrong carton size or insufficient padding is used, cardboard shipping cartons may not be effective with weighty items.
  • May deform under pressure. Despite its strength, cardboard can be crushed, dented, or otherwise damaged under some conditions.
  • Not weatherproof. Cardboard cannot withstand certain weather conditions like rain or snow.

Cost

Is cardboard cost-effective? This is an important consideration.

Pros:

  • Easy storage. Cardboard shipping cartons can be stored flat and built as needed. This can reduce your delivery costs.
  • Sustainable resource. Cardboard is made from a renewable material, which minimizes the environmental cost.
  • Cardboard containers can be recycled, giving them a “second life.” This can take some of the sting out of it when a carton is damaged during packing and a new one must be used.

Cons:

  • Recurring need. Unlike returnable/reusable cartons such as hard plastic shipping containers, the need for new cardboard boxes is ongoing.

Buying in Bulk

Purchasing large quantities of cardboard cartons can be helpful.

Pros:

  • Cost savings. Buying cardboard containers in bulk can save your company money.
  • Extended storage. As long as cartons are protected from water, they can be stored for long periods of time.

Cons:

  • Upfront investment. Buying in bulk means paying more upfront to enjoy the long-term benefit.
  • Storage space. To get the advantage of purchasing large quantities of cardboard cartons, you must have the space to store them.

Sealing Solutions

How will you seal your shipping cartons? You should research your options before you make a purchase.

Pros:

Cons:

  • Devices needed. Typically, some type of device is needed to seal cardboard cartons. That may be a tape gun or a water-activated tape dispenser.

Carefully Considering Cardboard Pays Off

Ultimately, spending some time considering the advantages and disadvantages of using cardboard shipping cartons pays off. You get the type of container that is ideal for your needs and can move ahead with your shipping operations confident you have chosen wisely.

Better Packages and IPG, together, work to provide you the Gold Standard in Secure, Efficient and Reliable carton closure. For more information about the range of Water Activated Tapes available to you from our parent company IPG, please visit us at www.itape.com or contact your local representative for demonstrations and trials of our complete packaging solutions.

If you have questions about our Better Packages dispenser products and how they can help you improve your shipping operations, we’re here to help. Please contact us at your convenience.

Is your shipping tape providing optimal ROI?  We can help you make that determination.

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In our last instalment, we looked at the pros and cons of plastic. We think it’s fair to say that plastic may not be the first material on your list if you are looking for the most environmentally friendly packaging option. This is why we thought to bring cardboard into the mix. In this article, we look at the pros and cons of cardboard packaging, so you can make the best-informed decision possible.

Cardboard and paper

Many firms consider paper and cardboard as a simple fix to help them meet their plastic reduction objectives. We are presently suffering cardboard shortages since the demand for corrugated cardboard has exceeded the capacity of paper mills. Due to the enormous development in e-commerce last year, among other issues like Brexit and the pandemic, it’s even been dubbed “the search for beige gold.” What demonstrates the appeal of cardboard if not this?

Many businesses are moving to paper because it is more ecologically friendly since it does not represent as much of a hazard to the environment if it ends up in the ocean or rivers. Not only that but a £200 per tonne levy on any plastic container with less than 30% recycled material is now in effect, further pressuring firms to cut their plastic usage.

The Paper and Cardboard Pro’s

So, is paper more environmentally friendly than plastic? The usage of cardboard offers advantages over the plastic option. Some examples are:

  • Recyclable: Cardboard comes from sustainable wood pulp or recycled cardboard. This indicates that it has a high recycling rate of 85.8% in Europe. Whereas plastic generally ends up in landfills.
  • Sustainable: Cardboard offers an obvious sustainability advantage over plastic since it is biodegradable and degrades considerably faster.
  • Reusable: One of the most significant benefits is that cardboard boxes are reusable.
  • Printing and design: Cardboard is readily printed on, so it is ideal for marketing, branding, and promotional applications.
  • Cost savings: Because cardboard is reusable, buying in bulk can save your company a lot of money.
  • Long-term storage: As long as it is kept dry, you can store cardboard for an extended length of time.

Tams Packaging offers a variety of packaging solutions your business can use in place of plastic. Cardboard boxes provide several advantages, including being recyclable, making them more ecologically friendly than most plastics.

Con’s of Paper and Cardboard Packaging

Although many businesses are shifting away from plastic and toward paper products such as cardboard, it is crucial to recognise that cardboard has its own environmental challenges.

  • Cardboard is far less robust than plastic and is subject to mould, fire, and water damage caused by weather.
  • Cardboard cannot withstand as much weight as plastic; you cannot stack it as readily without breaking.
  • Cardboard is not the best material for weatherproofing since water and other liquids can penetrate the box and reach the contents.

Ultimately, it all comes down to what you’re delivering and how substantial the material is. You can reuse cardboard boxes, which can be a very cost-effective alternative. They are also more environmentally friendly than the plastic equivalent. However, as previously noted, stacking issues may arise, mainly if the box cannot support the weight of the contents.

If you’re looking for a Cardboard Box Printers in the UK, make sure to check out our website and get in touch. Someone from our team would be happy to take you through our packaging printing process.

What are the cons of cardboard boxes?

Plastic vs Cardboard Packaging: The Pros and Cons