In APCO’s last consumption and recovery report, it is stated that Australia introduced approximately 6.98 million tonnes of packaging into the market. This packaging comprised various materials, with paper and paperboard accounting for a significant share at 52.3%. The use of paper-based packaging remains substantial due to its versatility, recyclability, and widespread application in various industries to this day.
When considering the ideal box packaging for your products, you’ll encounter several options, including cardboard, rigid and corrugated boxes. Each type offers distinct advantages, so understanding their differences is crucial for making an informed decision tailored to your specific business needs. In this article, we’ll explore the various types of paper box packaging, applications, and impact on sustainability.
Cardboard Packaging Box
If you’ve ever strolled through the aisles of a grocery store, chances are you’ve encountered cardboard boxes. These versatile packaging, comprising both paperboard cartons and folding cartons, are essential fixtures in the retail landscape, serving as the go-to choice for packaging a majority of consumer items. Being shipped flat, it reduces transportation costs, and with quick turnaround times, it’s ideal for meeting tight deadlines and sudden demand spikes, especially for fast-moving consumer goods.
Cardboard, as a material, can be turned into a variety of packaging styles. Let’s explore each one of them.
- Crash Lock Bottom Box
- A popular choice for teas, cosmetics, home and hair products (to name a few), it can be customised with sustainable paper stocks, including those made from food, cotton fibres, and sugarcane bagasse. Comes with a robust base to ensure reliable protection and prevent products from slipping out!
- Lid & Bottom Cardboard Box
- Features a hingeless design, these boxes effortlessly open by lifting the lid, showcasing chocolates, cookies, or pastries with ease. Utilising agro-industrial waste paper containing olive, corn, coffee, and nut residues, can provide a base for creating a sustainable box.
- Drawer Box
- Comes with a folding mechanism, the drawer-like structure collapses for flat storage, offering space efficiency during storage and transportation. It’s suitable for clothing, apparel, and cosmetics packaging.
- Tuck End Box
- Easy to assemble, open on both ends, offer unlimited customisation, stack well on flat surfaces due to their flat sides, and can be stored compactly when disassembled.
Rigid Box
Then there’s the rigid box. Rigid boxes represent a tier of packaging renowned for their durability. These boxes find their niche in securing high-end products where perceived value reigns supreme. Popular packaging applications include wine and spirits, hamper gifts, and patisserie or bakery products. In addition, they’re favoured for items of substantial weight, warranting additional structural support.
- Rigid Box with Lids & Bottoms
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- The ideal choice for gift, jewellery, and pastry boxes. Each one includes a lid that securely covers the base. They’re not foldable, which means they arrive fully assembled and ready for immediate use!
- Drawer Box
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- Available in various colours, shapes, sizes, and sustainable paper materials, it’s fully customisable to provide a cosy home for jewellery, cosmetics, food, and gift packaging with a sustainable benefit.
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- Foldable Rigid Box
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- Features a permanently attached lid that stays closed with a magnetic strip or ribbon binding, assembling in just seconds. These boxes are ideal for frequent-use products intended to be stored in their packaging between uses.
- Ribbon Bound Rigid Box
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- Provides an elegant and timeless look that enhances brand identity while flat-packing to save storage space. Highly customisable in colour, size, shape, and style, they are the perfect solution for hamper boxes, gifts, and more!
Corrugated Box
There are two main applications for corrugated boxes: shipping cartons and gift boxrigid boxes. The former, colloquially known as “shipper boxes,” constitute the quintessential brown cardboard packaging and typically feature three layers: a wavy or fluted core sandwiched between two flat outer layers. It’s within this fluted layer that the inherent strength of corrugated boxes lies, making them adept at withstanding the rigours of shipping and handling!
On the other hand, corrugated giftrigid boxes are mainly used for retail packaging, e-commerce shipments, or premium product displays. Their sustainable nature—being recyclable and often made from recycled materials—also appeals to environmentally conscious consumers, further enhancing the brand’s image.
A sample of pre-packaged corrugated food packaging.
Wrapping It Up
Recent data from APCO highlights Australia’s heavy reliance on packaging materials, particularly paper and paperboard, which account for over half of the market. Paper-based packaging is favoured for its versatility, recyclability, and wide-ranging applications across various industries. When selecting an eco-friendly box packaging, businesses should consider the format, sustainability credentials of the supplier, and suitability for specific product types. Making informed choices not only meets their needs but also supports environmentally friendly packaging solutions.
Myerton Packaging matches your business with the right box packaging. Contact us to get a quote.
