Packaging has existed since the earliest nomads used leaves and skins to store their favourite meals. They’d even hollow out materials to store tools, but the Chinese were the first to create paper packaging to preserve food. In those days, they used treated mulberry bark to manufacture paper. The first cardboard box was created in 1817.
How It Got Out of Hand
Cardboard packaging was strengthened by a corrugated layer in the 1900s. As consumers began consuming flaked cereals, cartons became increasingly common. Manufacturers needed a way to send packages to customers and retailers without wastage, theft, or contamination. And while hygiene and preservation are imperative, not all foods require packaging. Many packaging options are chosen for their branding potential alone.
Solving the Problem With Sustainable Options
Businesses such as https://capscases.co.uk/services/sustainable-cardboard-packaging/ offer attractive, recyclable packaging options that can be easily branded. This reduces environmental impact through energy savings, reduced waste, and lower emissions. Cardboard can be recycled at a rate of 80 to 90%, and since over 70% of consumers choose products based on their sustainability, this is an intelligent choice for marketing reasons alone.
Recycled materials are often more affordable to purchase outright and six times cheaper to dispose of. As long as paper product fibres are long enough, they can be recycled repeatedly up to seven times. Not all customers recycle their packaging, but you can make a difference by using recycled packaging as a business. This has the power to deliver significant annual savings while attracting more buyers along the way.