5 Simple Ways to Contribute to a Circular Economy

In today's world, where environmental concerns are at the forefront of many discussions, the concept of a circular economy has gained significant traction. At LimeLoop, we're passionate about creating sustainable solutions for shipping and packaging. But what can you do to support this shift towards a more circular economy? Here are five simple yet effective ways you can make a difference:

1. Embrace Reusable Packaging

One of the easiest ways to contribute to a circular economy is by opting for reusable packaging whenever possible. When shopping online, look for retailers who use LimeLoop's reusable shipping packages or similar sustainable options. These packages can be used over 50 times, significantly reducing waste compared to single-use cardboard boxes or poly mailers.

2. Return Reusable Packaging Promptly

If you receive a product in a reusable package, make sure to return it as soon as you've unpacked your items. With LimeLoop packages, it's as easy as zip, flip, and ship. Just zip up the empty package, flip over the pre-paid return label, and drop it in your mailbox or a USPS collection box.

3. Choose Products with Minimal Packaging

When shopping, opt for products with minimal or eco-friendly packaging. This reduces waste and encourages manufacturers to rethink their packaging strategies. Look for brands that prioritize sustainable packaging solutions.

4. Repair and Upcycle

Before discarding items, consider if they can be repaired or upcycled. Many products can be given a new lease on life with a little creativity or maintenance. This extends the life cycle of products and reduces the demand for new resources.

5. Support Brands Committed to Sustainability

Choose to support brands like Toad&Co that are actively working towards sustainability goals. Look for companies that use recycled materials, offer take-back programs, or are transparent about their environmental impact.

By voting with your wallet, you're encouraging more businesses to adopt circular economy principles.Remember, every small action counts. By incorporating these practices into your daily life, you're contributing to a more sustainable future and helping to "deliver a world without waste" – a mission we're deeply committed to at LimeLoop.

Join us in the reuse revolution and let's create a circular economy together!

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Embracing Circularity: 5 Compelling Reasons for Leaders

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In today's rapidly evolving business landscape, sustainability and resource efficiency have become paramount concerns for enterprises across industries. As all leaders navigate the complexities of modern-day operations, embracing circularity – a regenerative approach that minimizes waste and maximizes resource utilization – is no longer just a buzzword; it's a strategic imperative.

Here are the top five reasons why C-suite leaders should prioritize circularity in their organizational strategies.

1. Innovative Sustainability. Mitigating Environmental Impact and Regulatory Risks

As environmental regulations tighten and consumer awareness of sustainability issues grows, companies that fail to adopt circular practices risk facing hefty fines, repetitional damage, and potential legal liabilities. By embracing circularity, enterprises can proactively mitigate these risks, reduce their environmental footprint, and position themselves as responsible corporate citizens.

2. Sustainable Profitability. Enhancing Resource Efficiency and Cost Savings

Circularity is inherently geared towards optimizing resource utilization and minimizing waste.

By embracing circular business models, such as product-as-a-service, remanufacturing, or closed-loop reusables, enterprises can significantly reduce their reliance on finite raw materials, lower operational costs, and unlock new revenue streams through innovative product life-cycle management.

3. Driving Innovation and Circular Competitive Advantages

Embracing circularity fosters a culture of innovation within organizations.

By rethinking traditional linear business models and exploring new ways to create value from existing resources, enterprises can develop cutting-edge products, services, and processes that differentiate them from competitors and create sustainable competitive advantages.

4. Elevating Brand Equity. Attracting and Retaining Top Talent

Today's workforce, particularly younger generations, is increasingly conscious of environmental and social issues. By demonstrating a genuine commitment to circularity and sustainability, enterprises can enhance their employer brand, attract top talent, and foster a sense of purpose and engagement among their employees.

5. Future-Proofing Business Operations with Circularity

As the global economy transitions towards a more sustainable and circular model, enterprises that fail to adapt risk becoming obsolete. By embracing circularity now, all leaders can future-proof their organizations, positioning them to thrive in an increasingly resource-constrained and environmentally conscious world.

"The circular economy is becoming a core component of forward-looking business strategy. By rethinking the way we design, make, and use products and materials, companies can open up new opportunities for growth and value creation while reducing risks and increasing resilience." - Naoko Ishii, CEO and Chairperson of the Global Environment Facility

Implementing circularity is not just a matter of compliance or public relations; it's a strategic imperative that can drive long-term value creation, innovation, and resilience for enterprises. As leaders, the time to act is now – by integrating circularity into their organizational strategies, they can pave the way for a more sustainable, efficient, and future-ready business landscape.

 Want to learn more about embracing circularity. Let's grab a coffee. 

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From disposable to durable: Making the change to reusable packaging

In a world driven by convenience, we've become accustomed to the luxury of disposable packaging. 

Plastic and cardboard containers have become a ubiquitous part of our daily lives, serving as vessels for everything from our morning coffee to the products we order online. While these materials offer convenience, they also contribute to an ever-growing environmental problem. Plastic pollution clogs our oceans, and landfills overflow with cardboard boxes. 

Amidst this convenience, it's crucial to recognize the scale of the issue. Of the 40 millions of plastic waste generated in the U.S. specifically in 2021, only 5% to 6% - or about two million tons - was recycled. And before you say that many of these packaging options are made of recycled materials and can be recycled, there’s a lot more to this than meets the eye. We’ll get into it a little later…

However, what is clear is that a change is needed. 

Recyclable doesn’t make it better

A common misconception is that if something is recyclable, it is better for the environment. Why do many believe that? Because it’s what we’ve been told from big brands across the nation. 

If it’s recyclable it’s sustainable, right? Hardly. 

Did you know that over 90% of products in the United States are shipped in corrugated cardboard boxes? The amount of cardboard boxes that get broken down each year, month, day even is extraordinary. And, the amount of poly mailers that are also either recycled or thrown away each day should be illegal. 

Here are 3 specific reasons to move to reusable packaging.

1. Efficient
   One of the key advantages of adopting reusable packaging is the efficiency it brings to your supply chain. Traditional disposable packaging, like cardboard and poly mailers, often end up as a one-time-use waste, requiring constant restocking. Sometimes, brands can get 2 uses out of this kind of packaging in their ecommerce shipments, but it’s honestly somewhat rare as consumers have made it a habit to toss their packaging the moment they open… 
   
   Reusable packaging, on the other hand, is designed to withstand multiple trips. This reduces the need for constant replenishment and decreases the environmental footprint of your supply chain.
   
   Moreover, you'll save on resources, transportation costs, and labor associated with constantly replacing disposable packaging, making your operations more streamlined and cost-effective.
   
   
2. Economical
   Many businesses are hesitant to transition to reusable packaging because they perceive it as a costly investment upfront. However, the long-term financial benefits are substantial. By replacing just 20% of single-use plastic packaging with reusable alternatives offers an opportunity worth at least $10 billion. That’s huge long-term. While the initial investment might be higher, the durability of reusable packaging means you'll save money over time. Instead of constantly purchasing disposable materials, you'll make a one-time investment in packaging that can last for years. 
   
   Your bottom line will reflect the cost savings in the form of reduced waste, decreased transportation expenses, and lower packaging procurement costs.
   
   
3. Environmentally friendly
   Disposable packaging generates an astonishing amount of waste that can take hundreds of years to decompose in landfills or poses a serious threat to our environment as plastic pollution in our oceans. Every year 19-23 million tons of plastic waste leaks into aquatic ecosystems, polluting lakes, rivers, and seas.
   
   It isn’t just the oceans that we are worried about as well. Walk down a city block near you later today. How much trash do you see in the gutter? Along the sidewalk? Overflowing trash bins? How much of this trash is from some form of packaging? Case in point… 
   
   Reusable packaging promotes sustainability. While the packaging you use for your retail items may not be what’s polluting the streets, many of it does end up in oceans and it does wreak havoc on our ecosystem. By choosing durable materials and implementing a circular approach to your packaging, you reduce your carbon footprint and contribute to a cleaner, more sustainable future.

Change is good

We hear time and time again that change is scary, but it doesn’t have to be. Transitioning to reusable packaging with the right partner and a clear strategy can be smooth and seamless. 

The shift from disposable to durable, reusable packaging is not just a trendy idea; it's the way of the future. It offers substantial benefits to your business, from increased supply chain efficiency to long-term cost savings and a smaller environmental footprint.

And with the right partner who will help you identify where a reusable solution works in your supply chain, how to mitigate any potential risks and guides you on implementation, you’ll be in great hands. Ellen MacArthur, Founder of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, said, “Rethinking the future: It is a profound challenge, at the end of an era of cheap oil and materials to rethink and redesign how we produce and consume; to reshape how we live and work, or even to imagine the jobs that will be needed for transition.”

Together, we can build a more sustainable and responsible future for our planet, one package at a time. The days of wasteful plastic and cardboard packaging are numbered, and by making the change to reusable packaging, we're paving the way for a more sustainable and efficient future for all.

To learn more about LimeLoop’s reusable packaging, including our LimeCare–your own dedicated Reuse Specialists–schedule a meeting with no strings attached. 

What does it really mean to be “sustainable”?

In recent years, the term "sustainability" has become increasingly popular. But what does it really mean to be sustainable? 

To get a better understanding of what most people think this term means, I asked around my neighborhood in Denver. Here’s what some Denverites had to say:

“I like to think that being sustainable means wasting less. I try to only buy food at the grocery store that I will actually eat, but in my case, eating out more is probably more sustainable as then I know I will truly only pay for what I’m going to eat. Does that count for sustainability since I’m wasting less in food rather than thinking about plastic or something that gets thrown away–or worse, you see it thrown onto the ground as litter? I hope so…”

“Sustainability means choosing to purchase items that can be recycled and has the little triangle on the bottom of the container.”

“I bring my reusable grocery bags to the store whenever I remember–which is most of the time–and that always feels good.”

“Bike more. Or walk more. I rarely put gas in my car because I rarely drive. We’re a pretty bike friendly community, especially in the summer, so just get outside.”

“Do your research on the brands you buy from. Do they give back to the community? Do they offer sustainable options? Do they treat their employees with respect and dignity? Sustainability for me goes above and beyond the environment. It’s a movement rooted in respect towards people living in the environment.”

Sustainability can mean a number of different things to different people, as you can see from above. Whether it’s about reducing consumption, your waste output, choosing respect, or making more conscious decisions, we are all doing our part to make the world a more eco-friendly place. 

The definition of “Sustainability”

Merriam Webster’s definition of sustainability is as follows

“noun. the ability to be sustained, supported, upheld, or confirmed. Environmental Science. the quality of not being harmful to the environment or depleting natural resources, and thereby supporting long-term ecological balance: The committee is developing sustainability standards for products that use energy.”

At its core, sustainability is about meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It is about finding a balance between economic growth, social development, and environmental protection. 

In other words, sustainability is about ensuring that we can continue to thrive as a society without depleting the resources that we depend on.

Just like the sustainable choices mentioned above, what else can we do to be more sustainable in our day-to-day lives?

5 sustainable suggestions 

Here are five key areas in which individuals and organizations can focus on to be more sustainable:

1. Energy Efficiency
   • One of the biggest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions is the burning of fossil fuels for energy. By improving energy efficiency, we can reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and decrease our carbon footprint. For example, using LED light bulbs, turning off electronics when not in use, and using public transportation or carpooling are all ways to improve energy efficiency.
   • Pro tip: A sneaky way to improve energy efficiency is to go back through your email and delete old emails you don’t need anymore. That newsletter you got last year is probably a good one to delete. These emails are stored on a server somewhere taking up space. This is a quick, easy and highly manageable way to be more efficient.

2. Waste Reduction
   • The amount of waste we produce has a significant impact on the environment. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the United States generated 292.4 million tons of municipal solid waste in 2018, with only 32.1% being recycled or composted. By reducing the amount of waste we produce and properly disposing of what we do produce, we can help to conserve resources and reduce pollution. This can be achieved by recycling, composting, and reducing the use of single-use plastics.
   • Pro tip: At the grocery store, try and buy your fruits and veggies whole rather than pre-cute AND without any plastic bags to hold them together. You don’t really need them so why grab them anyway?

3. Sustainable Agriculture
   • Agriculture is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions and deforestation. By adopting sustainable agricultural practices, we can reduce the environmental impact of food production. This can be achieved by using organic farming methods, reducing the use of pesticides and fertilizers, and supporting local farmers who use sustainable practices.
   • Pro tip:  Look for the free range eggs and local meat at your grocery store. These are typically just $1-2 more and are worth it for the environment and for your own health. Another pro tip is to plant your own herb plants rather than buy herbs in those plastic clam-shell wrappings every time you need herbs. First, you’ll have them 24/7 at home and second, you’ll be wasting less.

4. Water Conservation
   • Water is a precious resource, and it is becoming increasingly scarce in many parts of the world. By conserving water and using it more efficiently, we can help to ensure that there is enough water for everyone. This can be achieved by fixing leaks, using low-flow fixtures, and reducing water usage in landscaping.
   • Pro tip: Turn your faucet off when you’re brushing your teeth. So simply yet so easy and impactful in creating new habits to conserve water. 

5. Reusable Packaging
   • Cardboard and plastic polymailers use precious resources. Polymailers simply have no positive environmental impact as they are made from plastic and cardboard is deceiving when it comes to sustainability. Unfortunately, it’s become ingrained in consumers that recycling is the solution to keep the planet healthy and happy. However, we know that recycling is the last option when it comes to the 3 R’s of reduce, reuse and recycle. Recycling should be the last resort which is why reusable packaging is the more sustainable option. 
   • Pro tip: Look for brands that send packages in LimeLoop reusable packaging. Check out our website to see some brands using LimeLoop to ship goods and maybe you'll find something you like and want to order. Or the easiest pro tip, walk into your favorite store next step and shop in real-time in a brick-and-mortar.

Taking responsibility

Being sustainable means taking responsibility for our impact on the environment and future generations. By focusing on energy efficiency, waste reduction, sustainable agriculture, water conservation and reusable packaging, we can all play a role in creating a more sustainable future. 

Small changes can make a big difference. Are you ready to deliver a world without waste?

Learn more about LimeLoop’s Trackable Reusable Packaging, click here.

What really goes into the making of reusable packaging?

There are really two main goals when it comes to designing reusable packaging from our perspective:

1. Packages need to be efficient in design, and
2. Packages need to be made sustainably

Naturally, there are a number of different factors to take into consideration to achieve the above two goals. You want your reusable packaging to be functional, durable and environmentally friendly which can become quite a complex process.

Some of the key considerations that go into designing reusable packaging include:

• Materials selection – What type of material will be best? Does it need to be water resistant? Where should we source these materials? Is it sustainable?  
• Design considerations – What is important in your design? Do you have any transportation needs? What about zippers, flaps, snaps, fasteners, etc.? Specific sizes?
• Environmental considerations – Does it minimize waste across the entire supply chain? Think: sourcing, transportation to manufacturer, energy to develop, etc.
• Cleaning and sanitization – Is it easy to clean, wash and sterilize?
• Cost considerations – Is this cost justified? How does it compare to single-use and what are the long-term investments?

To better understand the actual details of these factors, I went to the pros. I spent some time with Angela Kwok, LimeLoop’s own VP of Operations, to better understand what goes into designing our own reusable packaging.

Here’s what she had to say…

Design with the pros

1. First, what do you look for when shopping for manufacturers and when sourcing materials to minimize waste and be as environmentally friendly as possible?

Angela:  When looking for manufacturing partners, we think about diversification and sustainability, from both environmental and social perspectives. We have established nearshore manufacturing partners to diversify our supply chain, shorten lead times, and reduce the environmental impact associated with transportation of our finished products. We look for manufacturing partners that have fair wages and safe working conditions.

In terms of sourcing and selecting suppliers for the materials, we also look at environmental and social sustainability. For example, we partner with REPREVE — sourcing recycled polyester (RPET) from certified mills and participating in their take-back program for RPET at end-of-use. When sourcing materials, we have also taken best practices from brands like Everlane, such as referencing the International Labour Organization regarding different countries’ practices and risks.

2. How long does it typically take to design and develop a reusable package that is efficient and sustainable?

Angela:  While it may only take weeks to design and develop a first prototype, it takes months or even years to iterate and launch a new reusable package that is efficient, durable, and sustainable. Over the years, we have learned how reusable packages are handled throughout the supply chain — by warehouses, carriers, consumers, and retail stores. Beyond that, we’ve learned about constraints in these different systems and environments. Through these learnings, we have been able to iterate on our design to improve the users’ experiences with the packages and extend the lifetime of the packages, before being repaired, upcycled, or recycled.

With these learnings, we can accelerate the development of additional package types and sizes. We still recognize that different use cases can pose new challenges, hence the importance of testing and iterating.

LimeLoop designing with the Box Clever team.

3. From years of designing, what have you learned in terms of materials that work well and maybe materials that have been a challenge? What materials are best suited for creating a durable and reusable package that can withstand transportation and handling?

Angela:  Towards circularity, it is important to consider the recyclability of the materials being used. We have selected recycled PET and polypropylene (PP) as the primary materials in our packaging for their durability and recyclability.

We also found an opportunity to improve upon single-use alternatives, such as corrugated cardboard boxes. Paper-based corrugated cardboard boxes and paper mailers can get wet in the rain and cause damage to the products inside. To quote one of our partners, the paper mailers looked like “giant wet tea bags” after being in the rain. We selected materials that are either water-resistant or waterproof. This improves the unboxing experience and the durability of the packages.

Another decision point in the process has also been balancing durability with cost. While a heavier and thicker fabric is more durable, it adds cost in manufacturing as well as cost in shipping costs for our retailer. We balance the best of both by using different exterior and interior lining materials to ensure durability through transportation and handling, while making the packages as lightweight as possible.

4. Roughly, what is the cost of manufacturing a reusable package, and how does it compare to the cost of a single-use alternative?

Angela:  The cost of manufacturing a reusable package is several times more than that for a single-use alternative. Much like the environmental impact, the benefit comes over time with needing fewer packages. Our packages are designed to be used for 100 cycles, replacing 100 single-use alternatives. That means, 99 packages that you do not need to manufacture for each reusable package which will offset the costs long-term.

5. How do you track the sustainability of our reusable packages? What are the metrics here that really matter?

Angela:  As you may have expected, one of the key metrics is the number of cycles the reusable packages get reused. Based on a conducted life cycle assessment, our reusable packages need to be used between 2 and 6 uses to be better than the corrugated cardboard box equivalent from a CO2 perspective, depending on the package type and size.

This is where our technology platform comes into play, to track and improve upon these metrics. The sensor technology embedded in our packages allows us to track the number of cycles and reduce the number of lost packages through track and trace. Through our platform, reminders can easily be set up to encourage consumers to return the packages. Most consumers intend to return and want to do the sustainable thing, but we understand, life is busy! The timely reminders and different incentive programs allowed through our platform encourage the reuse rate.

Your reusable packaging

In order to get an efficient and sustainable final product, this process can take quite a bit of time and testing, but the long-term investment and pay-off is worth it. And thankfully, LimeLoop has done it for you so you don’t have to. 

We hope to change the mentality from single-use waste to reusable materials in more than just packaging so we can truly deliver a world without waste.

Reusable packaging for your supply chain or ecommerce is ready for you when you are.

A day in the life of a cardboard box

The life of a cardboard box is short-lived. 

When was the last time that you left a cardboard box sitting in your home unopened, taking up space? This is likely not a super common occurrence for you for two reasons:

1. You’re too excited to see what is inside that cardboard box, and
2. It takes up space, so do you really want that in your hallway to trip over?

Cardboard boxes never really stay in the same place for very long. 

Instead, the moment they land at a destination, they tend to get unpacked quickly and then either repacked (sometimes) or immediately broken down and taken to a recycling bin (hopefully) or to a waste bin. 

An overview of what this may look like:

The step-by-step cardboard recycling process from the EcoMasteryProject

Is cardboard really worth all the hassle then–monetarily and environmentally–if it lives such a short life?

Let’s dig into this…

How is cardboard made?

Overall, making a cardboard box is a relatively simple process. There are two main types of cardboard: regular and corrugated.

Regular cardboard typically refers to a thick paper stock or heavy paper pulp. This type of material is typically used for cereal boxes or greeting cards. It is basically made up of a flute (made up of virgin or recycled paper), sandwiched between two liners.

Making corrugated cardboard is a slightly different process that involves cutting, folding, and gluing corrugated cardboard sheets into your desired shape.

1. Paper is first made from wood pulp or recycled paper, and then it's treated with various chemicals to make it stronger and more durable (i.e. regular cardboard)
2. The paper is then fed through a machine that adds the wavy middle layer, which is called corrugation. This process involves feeding the paper through a set of rollers with wavy ridges, which creates the characteristic ridges and valleys of corrugated cardboard.
3. The corrugated cardboard is then cut into large sheets, which are sent to a box-making plant.
4. At the box-making plant, the sheets are cut into the desired size and shape for the box.
5. The cardboard is then folded along pre-scored lines to create the box's shape, and the edges are glued or stapled together to hold the box in place.
6. The finished boxes are then stacked, bundled, and shipped to various distributors and retailers.

And there’s a cardboard box. 

Then, what happens to the cardboard?

Away she flies…

Literally and figuratively. 

Over 90% of all products in the U.S. are shipped in corrugated cardboard boxes. Most cardboard today is corrugated cardboard, both for environmental reasons and because it is more secure. 

Some of the environmental reasons include:

• Most is made from recycled materials
• It is easier to recycle post-consumption
• Can reduce need for secondary wrapping or packaging

Yet, corrugated packaging is a $17 billion per-year industry-the largest segment of the entire packaging industry.

That is a lot of money.

Is it really cost > environment? 

Yes and no. 

What would happen if you took your portion of your spend of that $17 billion each year from corrugated cardboard and moved to reusable packaging? 

Specifically, you could

• Save 35% or more on packaging costs
• Allocate 35% or more on other initiatives
• Reduce your carbon footprint by 70% or more

It’s really a win-win.

Want to learn more about your reusable packaging options? 

Schedule a free call with one of our Reusable Packaging Specialists. We can tell you in real-time what your actual cost savings and environmental impact will be as well.

6 ways cardboard does more harm than good

No matter where you go, cardboard is never far. 

Cardboard is one of the most widely used materials for packaging and shipping, and in the US alone, 46.5 million packages are shipped everyday. When we break it down by carrier, UPS claims to send 36.5 million packages per day and FedEx claims to ship an average of 10 million packages per day. 

While packaging can come in many forms, about 95% of packages that are shipped and delivered in the US are made of cardboard. 

That’s a lot of packages.

To clarify, that’s a lot of cardboard…

Why is cardboard so commonly used?

Cardboard is a widely used packaging material though it has both benefits and drawbacks. 

Some benefits of cardboard can look like:

• It is lightweight
• It is easy to recycle
• It can be biodegradable which can make it a more “environmentally friendly” option compared to other packaging materials such as plastic (we’ll come back to this)
• It is also a “renewable resource” since it is made from trees that can be replanted

While there is truth to the above, there are also some common misconceptions about the benefits listed above...

Some of the drawbacks of cardboard include:

• The production of cardboard requires significant amounts of energy and water
• It contributes to deforestation if not sourced sustainably
• While cardboard is recyclable, we know that not all cardboard actually gets recycled
• A lot of cardboard will end up in landfills where it can take years to decompose and will release greenhouse gasses

Overall, cardboard can do quite a bit of harm to the environment. Its environmental impact really depends on various factors such as its sourcing, production, use, and disposal. 

6 ways cardboard harms

​​While cardboard has been made so readily available to everyone, there are some major drawbacks to the economy we’ve built around cardboard.

Here are 5 ways cardboard harms the environment:

1. Landfill waste
   • When cardboard is not recycled or composted, it can contribute to landfill waste, taking up valuable space and potentially releasing harmful gasses as it decomposes.
   • Cardboard together with paper make up about 41% of solid waste streams. These really should make it to a recycling center, but they don’t always due to what else gets thrown into the same recycling bins, or because they weren’t recycled in the first place.

2. Deforestation
   • Cardboard is typically made from wood pulp, which means that producing cardboard requires cutting down trees. Deforestation can have a range of negative environmental impacts, including loss of biodiversity, soil erosion, and increased carbon emissions.
   • US cities lose 36 million trees annually. While not all of this is directly related to cardboard creation, it is indirectly due to the carbon emissions that have increased over the years which can lead to more fires and other natural disasters. 
   • Since the 1600s, the US has destroyed 75% of its virgin forests. 

3. Energy consumption
   • The production of cardboard requires significant amounts of energy, including for transportation, processing, and printing. This energy consumption can contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and other forms of pollution, methane especially. Methane impacts the environment over 20 times more than carbon dioxide.

4. Water usage
   • Producing cardboard also requires large amounts of water, which can strain local water resources and contribute to water pollution if not properly treated.
   • In the United States, more than 800 million tons of cardboard (regular and corrugated) and paper are thrown away yearly. If we recycled one ton of corrugated cardboard, we could save 700 gallons of water. Even better, if cardboard wasn’t used as regularly, this number would be even better…

5. Chemical pollution
   • Some cardboard products may be treated with chemicals to make them more resistant to moisture or insects. These chemicals can potentially leach into the environment if not properly disposed of, potentially harming plants, animals, and humans.
   • Typically there are around 200 chemicals that are used in the manufacture of paper or cardboard. These chemicals can be dangerous today and when cardboard decomposes in a landfill and seeps into the environment–land, water and air.

6. Cost of using cardboard
   • While this is more indirectly focused on the environment, cardboard use in organizations is costly which takes away from the positive impact organizations can have on the environment. Money saved from ditching cardboard can be allocated to other ESG initiatives. 

What can we do?

To minimize these negative impacts, it's important to use cardboard responsibly, recycle or compost it when possible, and choose alternatives when appropriate. 

What do you do today to minimize the negative impacts of cardboard?

A popular alternative to replace cardboard is reusable packaging. To learn more about LimeLoop’s Smart Reusable Packaging Platform, click here.

8 key takeaways I learned from retailers about "recycling" cardboard

I’ve spent the last 5 years of my life working to eliminate single-use packaging. Cutting the use of cardboard was part of that goal, but most of my focus was on cutting single-use plastic packaging used in direct to consumer e-commerce shipments. This was true for a variety of reasons, but the primary reason is that eliminating plastic gets all the headlines and regulatory attention when it comes to sustainable packaging. Cutting cardboard or “recycling” cardboard doesn’t get quite the same effect… Because plastic gets the headlines, that’s where retailers focus. And because I sell to retailers, that’s where my focus was as well. 

So, you can imagine my surprise when an employee at one of Limeloop’s customers made an off-hand comment that if I was truly worried about ending single-use packaging, I should be more focused on cardboard in their supply chain–not just focused on packaging direct to consumer.. 

While I am not a fan of single-use of any sort, cardboard has always been the somewhat “ok” material. Somewhat “ok” in the sense that it still can be recycled, though that process certainly isn’t perfect. Recycling cardboard is a beast of its own… 

This employee continued with, “We’re sending 500 boxes per store per month to replenish inventory, and only using those boxes a single time. That is a lot of wasted resources: water, energy and ultimately, money. We spend over $1 per box for that single-use cardboard.” 

Small-scale, $1/box is nothing. But we aren’t talking small-scale here. 500 boxes per month at $1.25 per box would add up to $7,500 a year on cardboard that gets used once and then tossed. These may not even apply to recycled cardboard boxes though many claim they to be using recycled cardboard boxes. And these numbers are on the smaller end of that scale… Large retailers around the nation, and the globe, experience these same price pains when it comes to their shipments. Why is it that retailers are willing to pay this kind of money for a single-use transportation item?  

“Well,” this customer had said, “We don’t have any choice. Cardboard is a fact of life.”

Despite this retail employee’s insistence, I wasn’t sure I totally bought what they said. Could it really be that most retailers in the U.S. are blowing through hundreds of thousands, or millions, on single-use cardboard boxes every year just to replenish their shelves? 

To find out, I decided to go undercover one afternoon in early November to visit 10 retailers who had sterling sustainability reputations. 

Behind closed doors

My skepticism didn’t last long.

First stop…

I started with a California based retailer that had around 100 retail locations. I walked into the store on a slow, cloudy day and quickly started a conversation with their very friendly store manager. 

“How,” I eventually asked her, “do your stores get replenished?” 

I quickly learned that store replenishment happened with cardboard, that they received around 300 boxes per month, and that they recycled all their cardboard. “However,” she’d said, sensing I had thoughts about recycling, “We know recycling isn’t actually a great option compared to reusing these boxes, but what else can we do?”

Second stop…

Next I visited a retailer with several hundred retail locations that is as hip and Gen Z friendly as a brand could be. I’d barely started speaking with the very young store associate before she’d said, “don’t worry. We recycle literally everything. We’ll do anything to promote sustainability.”  

I laughed, telling her that it wasn’t recycling that I was worried about, but the act of using a resource intensive material like cardboard just once.

“Oh wow,” she’d replied, “I’ve never thought of it like that. We go through a ton of cardboard! And yea, what a waste.”

The rest of the stores…

Store after store, the story was the same. I watched employees cut otherwise brand new boxes filled with sweaters and socks. I watched them unpack the boxes and then flatten them, sending them off to be recycled or discarded.

It’s not that recycling cardboard is bad, per se, but when you realize that every flattened box represents at least 70 liters of water, or that every 100 boxes represents an entire tree, one starts to realize that the environmental cost of using cardboard is astronomically high even when it is being recycled. 

So, what did I learn? 

8 key takeaways

• Store replenishment depends on single-use cardboard boxes
• Sustainability minded store employees feel bad about single-use cardboard boxes
• Breaking down cardboard boxes for recycling is a time consuming process for store employees 
• Cardboard is expensive
• Even companies that prioritize sustainability use cardboard boxes for shipping products 
• Many products arrive in stores in a plastic bag that is placed inside the single-use cardboard it is shipped within
• Both store employees and retail sustainability team members know single-use cardboard is wasteful, but don’t feel there is an alternative
• Cutting out the use of cardboard is low hanging fruit for retailers that are looking to increase operational sustainability and efficiency

Are you wondering how you can quit cardboard? If yes, click here to schedule a call and we’ll see what can do to help you get away from using resource intensive, single-use packaging in your supply chain.