Corrugated box? It seems harmless, but we've used it for packaging for a long time. But hey, just like any other stuff, it's not perfect, and it has its weaknesses. So, in this piece, I'm going to talk about five big problems with corrugated box. I'll sprinkle in some my own anecdotes and throw in some too.

Alright, number one: the environment.

Number two: it doesn't last long.

Number three: it uses a lot of stuff to make.

Number four: it's not great for your health.

And finally, number five: it's expensive to get rid of.

Alright, number one: the environment.

Corrugated cardboard's main drawback? It's not very good for the environment. The World Bank indicates the paper industry consumes a significant amount of water and wood—like, a lot.

And guess what? producing cardboard also emits a lot of greenhouse gasses. So it's not only negative, it's actually contributing to polluting the planet—big time. I've had my encounters with cardboard, so now I'm all about selecting more environmentally friendly choices whenever I can.

Number two: it doesn't last long.

Another problem? Corrugated cardboard doesn't last very long. It's not as durable as certain other materials. Cardboard can be extremely difficult to tear or bend.

So it's not the ideal option if you're packing heavy or delicate items. At my previous job, we were constantly needing new boxes since the old ones were always breaking, which was costing us a lot of money. Research indicates these boxes have a lifespan of approximately one and a half years. Not a long time.

Number three: it uses a lot of stuff to make.

Making folding cardboard? It's a big energetic and water-consuming process, and it consumes wood rapidly as if it was scarce. And it's harmful to the environment not only; it also makes those boxes expensive.

European Environment Agency says we're using 20 cubic meters of wood and 200 cubic meters of water for every ton of cardboard. That is indeed a significant amount. That's why we must improve the efficiency of production processes and use reclaimed materials.

Number four: it's not great for your health.

Here's the kicker: it may potentially harm you, particularly in a manufacturing plant. Inhaling that dust from cardboard can lead to issues, such as asthma and bronchitis.

When I was in the factory, I saw how bad that dust was for people. Employers must take action, ensure their safety, and provide them with protective equipment to prevent them from coming to harm.

And finally, number five: it's expensive to get rid of.

And there's more: getting rid of Cardboard matter substance can be really expensely. Cardboard matter substance doesn't just disappear. Itself can sItself around for 100 years.

So we've got to get rid of Itself properly, usually by recycling or throwing Itself in the dump. According to the U. S. Ecosystemal Protection Agency, the expense of disposing of Cardboard matter substance in a dump site can amount to $50 by the ton. That's why we need to find better methods to package things and improve at recycling.

Tags：hidden costs