Omar Khalid
Cardboard and plastic are two of the most commonly used materials for packaging, with 85% of packaging footprints made up of paper and cardboard. However, the environmental impact of these materials is a growing concern. While cardboard is generally seen as a more sustainable option, with a high recycling rate, the production process is more complex and may have a higher carbon footprint than plastic. On the other hand, plastic is derived from non-renewable fossil fuels, and while it is more efficient to produce, it is often not recycled and can take up to 1000 years to decompose.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Sourcing | Cardboard is usually sourced from renewable wood pulp or recycled cardboard material. Plastic is usually sourced from non-renewable fossil fuels like oil and gas. |
| Carbon footprint | Cardboard generally has a higher carbon footprint than plastic in packaging and delivery. However, plastic has a much lower carbon footprint than cardboard during transport due to its smaller volume and weight. |
| Energy efficiency | Plastic is more energy-efficient to produce, requiring around 40% less energy than cardboard. Recycling cardboard requires 25% less energy than making it from new materials, while recycling plastic requires 65-88% less energy. |
| Water efficiency | Recycling cardboard requires 50% less water than making it from new materials. Recycling plastic also requires significant water usage during the cleaning and cooling processes. |
| Recycling rate | Cardboard has a higher recycling rate than plastic. In Europe, cardboard has a recycling rate of 85.8% compared to less than a third for plastic. |
| Decomposition | Cardboard takes between 2 to 12 months to decompose in a landfill. Plastic takes between 400 to 1000 years to decompose. |
| Greenhouse gases | Over their lifetime, paper and cardboard embody far more greenhouse gases than their plastic equivalents. However, plastic released into the environment can contribute to more greenhouse gases. |
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What You'll Learn
Cardboard's sourcing and recycling
Cardboard is usually sourced from renewable wood pulp (processed into Kraft paper) or recycled cardboard material. It is one of the most widely recycled materials in the world, with a high recycling rate of 85.8% in Europe. The recycling process involves collecting, sorting, and reprocessing used cardboard materials.
The first step in the recycling process is collecting the cardboard boxes from different departments within an office or company. These boxes are then stored in a warehouse and transported to a recycling center. At the recycling center, the cardboard is sorted based on the type, with the two main types being boxboard and corrugated board. Boxboard boxes are typically small and uncoated, used for food packaging such as cereal boxes and milk containers. Corrugated boxes are larger and used to store boxboard boxes.
Once sorted, the cardboard is checked for any contaminants, such as food or plastic, before being baled for transport to a paper mill. At the mill, the bales are sent through a pulping machine, where they are mixed with warm water to break down the cardboard and separate the fibers. Any remaining contaminants, such as staples, tape, or plastic film, are removed using cleaning and screening techniques.
The clean pulp is then mixed with fresh pulp made from materials like wood chips to create a slurry used for new paper products. This slurry can be made into new cardboard sheets, which are stamped with cuts and fold lines, ready to be made into a range of products, including packaging and point-of-sale displays. The cycle then begins again, with the new products being flat-packed and transported to factories.
By increasing recycling rates, we can keep paper fibers in the circular economy for longer, reducing the amount of cardboard waste sent to landfills, where it decomposes and releases methane, a potent greenhouse gas contributing to climate change.
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Plastic's carbon footprint
The carbon footprint of plastics has doubled since 1995, reaching 2 GtCO2-equivalent (CO2e) in 2015, accounting for 4.5% of global GHG emissions. The major driver of the rising carbon footprint of plastics has been the increased combustion of coal for plastics production, including resin production, manufacturing into plastic products, and related upstream activities. The production of plastics is responsible for substantial environmental, health, and socioeconomic impacts.
Plastics are derived from fossil fuels, including natural gas and crude oil, and also contain chemicals that are known endocrine disruptors and threaten human health. The extraction and transportation of these fossil fuels emit 1.5 to 12.5 million metric tons of greenhouse gases. The refinement of plastics emits an additional 184 to 213 million metric tons of greenhouse gases annually.
Landfills, where single-use plastics are sent, account for over 15% of methane emissions. The disposal of more plastics in landfills leads to increases in landfill size and emissions. Plastic has an incredibly long decomposition time, taking up to 1000 years or more to break down. This means that plastic waste continues to accumulate and persist in the environment, contributing to the carbon footprint of plastics.
To reduce the carbon footprint of plastics, it is essential to minimize plastic waste, transition to recycled plastics, and promote sustainable alternatives.
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Cardboard's carbon footprint
Cardboard is usually sourced from renewable wood pulp or recycled cardboard material. It is a type of paper that is thicker and more durable than regular paper. Paper stock, paperboard, and corrugated cardboard are some of the different types of cardboard. Some types of cardboard may be less sustainable than others. For example, corrugated cardboard creates the least ecological impact, while bleached kraft paperboard creates the most environmental impact.
The cradle-to-grave carbon footprint of a cardboard box is 0.94 kg CO2e/kg. The cradle-to-grave carbon footprint of flat cardboard is 1.53 kg CO2e/kg. A common e-commerce box that is 9 x 9 x 9 inches is estimated to emit 0.27 kg CO2e, which is the equivalent of 3.0% of a gallon of gasoline. The carbon footprint of primary source cardboard is based on eight studies, with a mean of 1.85 kg CO2e/kg, and a standard deviation of 0.99. The carbon footprint of corrugated cardboard is 0.94 kg CO2e/kg, and the carbon footprint of non-corrugated, or flat, cardboard is 1.53 kg CO2e/kg. The greenhouse gas emissions of recycled cardboard boxes are 28.1% lower than those of primary source cardboard boxes. Cardboard boxes are often unbleached, but some contain printed surfaces, which also contributes to their environmental impact.
Cardboard generally has a higher carbon footprint than plastic in packaging and as a packing material. This is due to cardboard's weight, which increases transport distances and dependence on air freight, making it more of a pollutant. However, cardboard manufacturing uses a high percentage of recycled materials, and the process is often powered by renewable energy. Cardboard also has a high recycling rate compared to plastic.
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Plastic's recycling rate
The recycling rate of plastic varies across different countries and types of plastic. In the US, the recycling rate of post-consumer plastic waste was just 5-6% in 2021, according to a report by The Last Beach Clean Up and Beyond Plastics. This figure is in stark contrast to the recycling rate of paper, which was 66% in 2020, according to the American Forest and Products Association. The report also highlights that while plastic recycling rates are declining, the per capita generation of plastic waste has increased by 263% since 1980.
The low recycling rate of plastic is concerning, given that plastic takes up to 1000 years or more to decompose. Plastic is primarily derived from crude oil, which has a significant carbon footprint due to extraction, refinement, and transportation requirements. The majority of plastic ends up in landfills, waterways, or incinerators, contributing to environmental pollution.
Some specific types of plastic containers have higher recycling rates. For example, the recycling rate of PET bottles and jars was 29.1% in 2018, while HDPE natural bottles had a rate of 29.3% in the same year. However, Greenpeace found that no plastic meets the threshold to be considered "recyclable" according to the standards set by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation New Plastic Economy Initiative, which requires a recycling rate of 30%.
The National Association for PET Container Resources, an industry trade group, reported in 2017 that only 21% of the plastic bottles collected for recycling were turned into new products. This low reprocessing rate is concerning, given the oil and gas industry's plans to recycle every piece of plastic they produce by 2040.
In comparison, cardboard generally has a higher recycling rate than plastic. Cardboard is sourced from renewable wood pulp or recycled cardboard material, contributing to its sustainability. While some types of cardboard, such as waxy or contaminated boards, pose challenges in recycling, the overall recycling rate of cardboard in Europe is 85.8%, significantly higher than that of plastic.
Cardboard manufacturing often utilizes recycled materials and renewable energy, reducing its environmental impact. Additionally, recycling cardboard requires 25% less energy and up to 50% less water than producing new cardboard from raw materials. This high recycling rate, along with sustainable sourcing and waste management practices, contributes to cardboard's lower carbon footprint compared to plastic.
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Cardboard's pros and cons
Cardboard is generally considered more environmentally friendly than plastic because it is sourced from renewable wood pulp or recycled cardboard material. It also has a high recycling rate compared to plastic. However, cardboard manufacturing may have a higher carbon footprint than plastic, especially when used for packaging and delivery.
Pros of Cardboard
- Recyclability: Cardboard has a high recycling rate compared to plastic. In Europe, cardboard has a recycling rate of 85.8%, while less than a third of plastic is recycled.
- Renewable: Cardboard is usually sourced from renewable wood pulp or recycled cardboard material. In contrast, most plastic is sourced from non-renewable fossil fuels like oil and natural gas.
- Lower carbon footprint: Cardboard manufacturing often uses a high percentage of recycled materials and is often powered by renewable energy. When recycled, cardboard requires 25% less energy and up to 50% less water than making it from new materials.
- Biodegradability: Cardboard breaks down naturally over time, taking between 2 to 12 months to decompose in landfills. This is significantly faster than plastic, which can take up to 1000 years or more to decompose.
- Cost-effectiveness: Cardboard is inexpensive and widely available, making it a budget-friendly choice for packaging and crafts.
- Strength-to-weight ratio: Cardboard has a good strength-to-weight ratio, making it suitable for protecting items during shipping.
- Easy storage: Cardboard cartons can be stored flat and built as needed, reducing delivery costs and providing flexibility in storage space.
- Versatility in sealing: Cardboard containers can be sealed in various ways, including staples, glue, and different types of tape, allowing for customization based on specific needs.
Cons of Cardboard
- Not weatherproof: Cardboard is not water-resistant and can get soggy and weaken when exposed to water or other liquids. This makes it unsuitable for keeping items dry or for long-term use.
- Poor durability: Cardboard is easily damaged and can tear, dent, or crumple without much force, making it less effective for protecting items during shipping or storage.
- Short lifespan: Cardboard wears out quickly, especially if it is frequently used or handled, leading to a higher replacement rate.
- Poor security: Due to its ease of breakage, cardboard is not very secure and is less effective at keeping valuable items safe compared to harder materials.
- Poor insulation: Cardboard does not regulate temperature well and is not suitable for storing items that require temperature control.
- Aesthetic concerns: Cardboard may be considered less aesthetically pleasing or legitimate-looking, especially for signage or certain types of packaging.
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Frequently asked questions
Cardboard is usually sourced from renewable wood pulp or recycled cardboard material and has a high recycling rate. Plastic, on the other hand, is primarily sourced from non-renewable fossil fuels and has a low recycling rate. Therefore, cardboard is more recyclable than plastic.
Cardboard is sourced from renewable wood pulp and has a high recycling rate. Additionally, cardboard manufacturing uses a high percentage of recycled materials and is often powered by renewable energy.
Plastic is more efficient to manufacture than cardboard, requiring 40% less energy and producing less waste. Plastic is also strong, flexible, lightweight, and cheap to make.
Using recycled cardboard can help reduce the environmental impact of cardboard. Additionally, choosing cardboard sourced from sustainable forestry or sustainable wood pulp production can also reduce its environmental impact.
Recycling plastic can help reduce its environmental impact. Additionally, using recycled plastic for manufacturing can reduce energy consumption by up to 88% and water consumption by 50%.
