25th February 2025

Managing hard to recycle materials from the supply chain

2025 will see more businesses tackle their Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) policies developing and implementing them across Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions.
One Scope three emission (those which are indirect emissions that occur in the value chain of the reporting company) is that of managing hard to recycle materials from the supply chains of businesses and their onward customers and consumers.
As one of the most sustainable and recyclable packaging materials corrugated is ideally placed to support businesses achieve these goals.
Here, we investigate how versatile corrugated is and the hard to recycle materials it can successfully replace.

Wood
Wood is a more sustainable material; however, it can still be very hard to recycle both commercially and domestically.
Corrugated can successfully replace wooden crates and pallet, with heavy duty corrugated board proving just as strong and infinitely more sustainable and recyclable.

Single Use Plastic
Plastic clearly still has its place in a modern 21st century, however single use plastic such as plastic ecommerce mailers and void fill can easily be replaced with corrugated and paper-based solutions.
As with most packaging solutions, the key to success here lies within the design and professional knowledge of how corrugated can best be utilised to provide recyclable alternatives.

Metal
Again, metal can be challenging to recycle and dispose of responsibly, however in certain situations, depending upon application and usage corrugated can be a worthy replacement offering unrivalled strength, durability and increased flexibility in terms of product storage.
It can have a very positive impact on global supply chains, allowing greater utilisation of container space and reducing pack weights and therefore shipping costs.

Robust and resilient
The beauty of corrugated is the wide variety of board grades or types of material available which brings endless options for customers seeking to replace those hard to recycle materials with more sustainable ones.
More robust and resilient than many appreciate, corrugated can replace so many hard to recycle materials through innovative design often providing not just a replacement but a better and more sustainable solution.

EPR legislation
Ultimately, Extended Producer Regulations (EPR) are there to create a more circular economy and increase recycling. However, it does mean that businesses are now financially obligated to meet the costs of managing their packaging waste.
Whilst this is proving challenging for some, it does support ESG principles and in some scenarios will be the driving force to businesses to seek alternative packaging supplies.

2025 will therefore be a year, we believe, that an increasing number of business seek more sustainable and recyclable packaging and that they will endeavour to source this from more local suppliers to reduce the number of ‘packaging miles’ it travels. This too, will support elements of ESG policies.
With the team at Cardboard Box Company having years of experience and a commitment to designing, manufacturing and supplying the latest and most innovative corrugated box solutions alongside tried and tested FEFCO styles, business can be assured of a packaging partner that delivers on every level.

To access the benefits for your business contact the team on 01254 232223 or email them on info@thecardboardbox.co.uk