Bio-based and renewable

Circular by nature, corrugated packaging is bio-based and provides a natural alternative to fossil-based products. It’s made almost entirely from natural materials: recycled and virgin fibres, along with natural starch-based glue. The fibres come from renewable sources, the sustainably managed forests (FSC and PEFC certifications), which is helping to preserve natural resources for current and future generations.

Easy to recycle

Paper and board is one of the most recycled packaging materials in the EU. Aligned with the Circular Economy, it’s supporting the European Commission’s vision for efficient use of bio-based resources. The corrugated packaging industry has effective recycling mechanisms in place, with waste materials already collected separately in many EU countries.

Prevents food waste

Corrugated packaging is already supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals for 2030 target to halve retail and consumer food waste and reduce food losses along production and supply chains. After all, it prevents the contamination and spoilage that could lead to fresh produce being wasted with other types of packaging.

Adding value after use

All corrugated packaging has recyclability built in – it’s a natural eco-design feature – and can be designed to fold easily, simplifying preparation for recycling. This allows corrugated packaging to continue to add value at the end of its use, with today’s market for recovered paper providing value to every stakeholder across the supply chain.

Ecodesign

Lightweight, strong and versatile, corrugated packaging minimises its impact on the environment throughout its entire life cycle – before, during and after use – confirming its perfectly circular model. It offers an infinite number of design possibilities. Its versatility means it can be adapted to precisely fit almost any shape and size, and designed to fold easily to save space.

The real circular
economy champion

Corrugated packaging is circular by nature.

As a paper product, corrugated packaging is the perfect example of the Circular Economy: recyclable, based on renewable sources (sustainably managed forests) and bio-degradable.

Our in-depth Life Cycle Analysis has been showing the sustainability of corrugated packaging as the most responsible packaging material for more than 30 years. Corrugated packaging’s approach provides a great source of inspiration for other materials.