The case for cartons is stronger than ever

The average consumer in five countries across Europe would prefer to buy stuff from the supermarket that is packaged in carton board. The average consumer, it seems, believes that plastic packaging is less sustainable than easy to recycle cartons and corrugated cases. The average consumer may believe this though not, it seems, government where Defra is considering giving plastics a clean bill of health in terms of sustainability despite the challenges of recycling the material, or materials. Because while the differences between paper and corrugated for example are negligible, those between different types of plastic are not, and nixing them together can stop thoughts of recycling. It’s incineration instead, while recycling rates for paper and board are close to 80%.

Another factor that favours the use of fibre based packaging is that plastic is derived from petrochemicals. The price of oil is rising sharply in response to the the bombing in the Middle East and is already disrupting the supply of oil for fuel purposes, but also for other uses. The ink sector has warned of rising prices. Plastic packaging seems certain to follow. If this means increased costs to brands and retailers, let alone any kind of concern about supply, alternatives to plastic will become more attractive.

The threat from disruption is now painfully clear. Products that depend on oil or other fossil fuels face uncertainty, printing inks included. This does not affect cartons, or not to the same extent. There is a diverse supply of cartons and a diverse source of fibre to make those boxes. If one mill is out of action, others can take up the slack. Now with oil from Kuwait and elsewhere in the Persian Gulf becoming impossible to attain, those needing continuity and confidence of supply, must be brushing off their contingency plans or rethinking supply chains. A choice for cartons is now about sustainability in every sense.