THE LIFE OF A

Cardboard Box

Did you know that cardboard is used to ship 90% of all products in the United States?1 90%

Detailed below is life of a cardboard box, all the way from the forest > to a box > through the recycling process.

First, trees are cut down and paper is made.2

Second, a box is designed.2

And that percentage only seems to be growing. Cardboard boxes are the lifeblood of the packaging and shipping industry, and it is important to stay educated on how the material is constructed and why it should be reused or recycled to protect our environment.

Last, the boxes are recycled.3

Trees are transported to a paper mill.

Mechanical and chemical pulping methods are used to create paperboard and corrugated cardboard.

The outer layers of the box are typically made from softwood pulp.

The fluting, the wavy layer on the inside of the cardboard, is manufactured using a corrugated machine.

The different layers of board are pressed and glued together to create the cardboard box.

Hand holes and flaps are trimmed and glued on the boxes.

A variety of box sizes and styles are produced to fit the consumer's needs.

The cardboard boxes are readyto be sold.

After the cardboard is used, it should be recycled. The process is simple and includes these 5 steps:

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The company or consumer gathers the materials that need to be recycled.

Cardboard is sorted by boxboard and corrugated once the materials arrive at the recycling center.

The materials are soaked in a mixture that breaks down the fibers and creates a pulp.

The pulp is filtered and stripped in order to get rid of any foreign materials and dyes.

Pulp is mixed with virgin materials, then dried and formed into solid sheets.

A few ways cardboard can be reused

Local recycling centers will accept the most common types of cardboard, including those used for shipping, and they may even offer curbside pickup. You can also drop the cardboard off at recycling centers.

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Cardboard can be used to craft anything from gift boxes, homemade post cards, napkin rings, stylish storage, cat toys, coasters, party décor, or even wall art. Here’s a craft idea that will make any child’s dream come true – construct a life-size fort out of cardboard boxes.

GET CRAFTY.5

STAY ORGANIZED.6

Boxes are designed for storage or secure transportation from one place to another. Why not reuse boxes for storage in your home? Smaller boxes can be used to organize things like office materials, snacks in the pantry, books, or toys with multiple pieces. Larger boxes are great for long-term storage and organization in the garage, basement, or other cluttered areas in your home.

USE IT AS A GARDENING TOOL.6

Cardboard is also a very useful tool in the garden. When it is mulched it can be used to bulk and ingurgitate excess water in soil, or otherwise known as composting. Cardboard is also capable of creating a barrier against weeds. Lay a few pieces in problem areas and the weeds won’t be able to grow through the material.

When cardboard is broken down in a landfill instead of being recycled, it creates methane, a major greenhouse gas that impacts global warming negatively. This is why it is critical that we continue to reuse and recycle cardboard in smart and environmental ways.4

Brown & Pratt works to maintain 100% customer satisfaction for every order, regardless of size.

When we opened for business in 1954 our specialty was custom printed poly bags. Over the years we've broadened our product line, and now provide all packaging and shipping supplies.

We offer custom packaging solutions, but we also have over 10,000 packaging and shipping supply items in stock. Plus we can customize many of our products with your logo, custom artwork, etc.

We want a long-term partnership with you, so we work with you to pin-point your precise packaging needs. We look forward to your first order with us – and then making you a customer for life!

to get a quote for custom packing and shipping supplies.

www.brownandpratt.com or call us at 888.497.0059Visit us at

1. http://recycleacrossamerica.org/recycling-facts2. http://www.themanufacturer.com/articles/how-a-cardboard-box-is-made/3. http://www.livestrong.com/article/174486-process-of-recycling-cardboard/4. http://www.rshughes.com/infographic/life-of-cardboard/5. http://www.bobvila.com/slideshow/17-creative-ways-to-reuse-cardboard-boxes-47420/diy-postcards#.VXoSc2TBzGc6. http://www.rajapacktoday.co.uk/box-end-life-cardboard-use/

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