Paper industry leaders hit out at corrugated packaging ‘slurs’

The trade association is hitting back at claims from some quarters that used corrugated cardboard is a waste material, arguing that most of it is recycled and made into new packaging. The CPI maintains it has a very low impact on the environment with a recycling rate of over 80%.

According to CPI’s director of packaging affairs, Andy Barnetson, calls to use alternative packaging to replace corrugated are missing the point.

“Corrugated is single trip but has such a high recycling rate that it doesn’t substantially impact on the waste problem,” he argued.

“Our industry has always invested in recovery and recycling processes. Corrugated is fully recyclable through a closed loop system, so landfilling of corrugated must be viewed as a last resort. Such a versatile, easily recycled product should be recovered wherever possible.”

The CPI further claim that the UK’s corrugated packaging industry has been instrumental in driving down waste within the supply chain, even before the Courtauld Commitment was introduced.

With the advent of modern corrugated processes, such as new flutings that offer up to 23% storage space saving, the sector is driving greater efficiencies through better utilisation of pallets, resulting in fewer vehicles on the road. Corrugated is also a flexible packaging option as it can adapt itself to product after product.

Maxine Perella