ECO-FRIENDLY CORRUGATED BOARD AND SUSTAINABLE PACKAGING MANUFACTURING

Abstract

The paper is focused on the sustainability of packages manufactured from corrugated board. The arguments proving that corrugated board is an eco-friendly material intended for goods packaging are discussed considering carbon footprint, water footprint, Life Cycle data released as a result of comprehensive analyses elaborated by specialized bodies and scientists. A cradle-to-cradle approach is promoted since corrugated board is fully recyclable, it is reusable and easy disposable. Moreover, corrugated board is simple to produce and is an energy-efficient material. Carbon and water footprints of corrugated board are less than of any other packaging material. Statistics to illustrate production dynamics of corrugated board in Romania are presented, while driving forces and risks of corrugated board industry are underlined. It is emphasized that the demand of packages made from corrugated board constantly increased in the last years in Romania. The main reasons refer to the increase of gross domestic product and to the growing interest of producers to use corrugated board packages from economic, environmental and social reasons. The new challenges of Romanian corrugated board industry like the rapid expansion of internet shopping, the need to further reduce the energy and water consumptions in order to improve the environmental footprints of packages and to enhance products competitiveness and the need to be prepared for the new demands of environmental legislation are also discussed.