In the world of packaging, you regularly come across the terms recycled cardboard and recyclable cardboard against. Although they look similar, they mean something fundamentally different. Especially if you are a company conscious of sustainability, it is important to understand the difference. At PurePack, we want to provide our customers not only with the right packaging solutions, but also with clarity and transparency in sustainability communication. In this blog, we explain the difference between recycled and recyclable cardboard - and why it makes sense to be aware of it as a business.
In this blog, we dive into the colourful world of printed boxes. Because pretty is nice, but sustainable is better. And both are possible - if you know what to look out for.
What is recycled cardboard?
Recycled cardboard is made from waste paper or cardboard that has been used before. Think of collected shipping boxes, residual paper from printing companies or waste paper from households. This material is collected, sorted, cleaned and then reprocessed into paper pulp. New cardboard is then produced from it. The result is cardboard that has already had a life, but is now used again as a raw material.
Recycled board usually has a slightly greyish or brown colour, depending on the type and origin of the fibres. Aesthetically, it can look slightly rougher than cardboard made of virgin fibres, but it is excellent in terms of strength and functional properties for many types of packaging.
At PurePack, we use recycled cardboard in our folding cartons, letterbox packaging and solid board shipping boxes, among others. By doing so, we give old material a second life and save on raw materials and energy consumption.
A box may technically be made of recyclable cardboard, but if the printing is off the mark - with heavy layers of ink, shiny varnish or metallic foils - recycling suddenly becomes a lot harder. And then your beautiful packaging becomes especially problematic.
What is recyclable cardboard?
Recyclable cardboard is cardboard that upon use can be collected again and processed into new paper or cardboard. That means it must be designed to go through the recycling process without any problems. Recyclable board can consist of either virgin (new) fibre or recycled fibre - the most important property is that the material is clean, uncoated and free of nuisance additives.
Not all the cardboard you get your hands on is actually recyclable. Packaging with a plastic coating, aluminium layer or heavy printing with synthetic ink can hinder or make the recycling process impossible. The same goes for cardboard treated with a water-resistant or grease-repellent coating. Therefore, it is important that recyclable cardboard is composed as purely as possible.
At PurePack, we deliberately ensure that our recyclable packaging does not contain any interfering layers and is easily processable within the existing paper collection. This allows them to be easily reused as raw material for new paper or cardboard after use.
Recycled vs. recyclable: the difference in one sentence
Recycled cardboard comes from a recycled resource.
Recyclable cardboard can again be used after deployment.
One says something about the origin, the other about the material's future. And the best thing is: these two properties can go together. At PurePack, for instance, we offer packaging that is both made from recycled material and fully recyclable. As far as we are concerned, this is the most sustainable choice.
Why is this distinction important?
The difference between recycled and recyclable board is not just semantic - it has practical as well as environmental implications. As a company looking to package sustainably, you want to know:
- Where your cardboard comes from: is it produced from new fibre or has it had a previous life?
- What happens to it after use: can the end user just put it with the waste paper, or will it possibly end up as residual waste?
By consciously choosing recycled as well as recyclable cardboard, you reduce your ecological footprint. Recycled material saves raw materials, water and energy. Recyclable material prevents packaging ending up in landfills or incinerators.
It also gives direction to your communication. Customers are becoming increasingly aware of packaging impacts. If you can clearly explain that your packaging is made of recycled material and is recyclable after use, shows that, as a brand, you look beyond the outside.
What does PurePack do?
At PurePack, we combine recycled and recyclable materials in as much of our packaging as possible. We work with, among others:
- Solid board: very strong and made of recycled material, excellent for heavy or fragile shipments.
- Corrugated cardboard: often fitted with a recycled inner and outer layer and fully recyclable.
- PaperWise and Cradle to Cradle packaging: made from agricultural waste or fully reusable fibres, without harmful substances.
In addition, we also pay attention to the finish. Consider avoiding unnecessary coatings, using recyclable adhesives or plastic-free closures. We also offer options for eco-friendly printing.
Our aim is to provide packaging that contributes to a closed loop. That means: made from recycled sources, and reusable after use - without waste, without harm to people or the environment.
Recycled and recyclable: this is how sustainability works
The combination of recycled and recyclable board is the most powerful step towards circular packaging. By combining both properties in one package, you save raw materials and reduce waste. It makes your packaging not only more sustainable, but also more credible towards your customer.
Together towards circular packaging
At PurePack, we believe that packaging is only truly sustainable when it is both made of recycled materials and recyclable again. That is why we develop all our cardboard packaging with this double value in mind: recycled and recyclable. This is how we help companies make conscious choices - without compromising on quality or appearance.
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