The Benefits of Corrugated Packaging

As a business owner, you have plenty to consider regarding how to protect, transport, present and sell your products. Packaging forms an essential part of your product’s journey from storage to customer, so choosing quality packaging is vital.

Corrugated packaging offers functional, cost-saving and environmental benefits that make it an excellent choice for a range of industries and products.

The Importance of Packaging in Various Industries

Corrugated packaging has a long and fascinating history that dates back to England in 1856. Brothers Edward G. Healy and Edward E. Allen wanted to improve the durability and comfort of top hats and patented a process for pleating paper that they could place inside top hats. In 1871, Albert L. Jones worked off the idea and had a patent for using corrugated paper to protect glass bottles and other materials. He found that corrugated paper was superior to the existing packaging options at the time.

The material and its uses continued to improve. Corrugated packaging is now integral for businesses because of the value it adds to products and services. Businesses in the food and beverage industries, beauty industry, electronics, medical field and e-commerce and subscription services all rely on quality packaging options to get their products safely through the supply chain.

The Benefits of Corrugated Packaging for Businesses

Corrugated packaging is a popular option for businesses because it is affordable, sustainable and durable. From being biodegradable to sturdy and lightweight, it is the full package with these benefits:

Environmental Benefits

Eco-friendly packaging has steadily been on the rise, especially as consumers become more aware of how their choices impact the environment. Corrugated packaging is an environmentally friendly option for several reasons:

• Sustainability: Corrugated packaging is predominately made from pulp sourced from pine trees. Pine is an eco-friendly, renewable wood species thanks to its fast growth rate.
• Recyclable, reusable and biodegradable: Corrugated packaging is made using recycled materials, especially recycled paper. Corrugated paper typically also does not contain harsh chemicals like bleaches or dyes. Thanks to its composition, corrugated packaging is naturally biodegradable and compostable, too. Depending on the packaging’s previous contents and condition, you can also reuse and recycle corrugated cardboard which is a great way to reduce packaging waste.
• Leading and innovative alternative: Though corrugated packaging does not always act as an alternative to single-use packaging like plastic or styrofoam, it paves the way for finding sustainable options in primary and secondary packaging.

Functional Advantage

Improving efficiency is a top priority for any business. Corrugated packaging contributes to efficiency thanks to its functional advantages:

• Easy assembly and handling: Corrugated packaging is easy to assemble, saving time and money, as it hardly requires special tools or training to assemble or handle these boxes. In addition to their durability, they are also lightweight. The lightweight design also makes corrugated packaging more ergonomic lifting and carrying. Another advantage is how easily stackable corrugated packaging is, making it ideal for storage.
• Product protection: Custom corrugated packaging can protect your products from pressure, moisture, shock and contaminants like dust. Hyperflute corrugated packaging is excellent for moisture protection and heavy-duty triple-wall corrugated solutions protect against pressure and shock.
• Strong and durable: Though lightweight, corrugated packaging is durable and excellent for protecting items. Additionally, the corrugated flute — the material between a box’s liner boards — reinforces and strengthens the packaging. Fluting also makes corrugated packaging stronger than other types of cardboard.
• Hygienic: Another excellent benefit is that quality corrugated packaging is hygienic thanks to the refining process the material undergoes during manufacturing. Manufacturing corrugated boxes uses extreme heat that kills off pathogens and bacteria, so you can use corrugated packaging as secondary packaging for food items. It is also typically toxin-free, thanks to its composition of predominately natural raw materials like wood pulp and not typically using chemicals like dyes and bleaches.
• Versatile: This functional packaging’s lightweight, customizable and durable design makes it suitable to use for an assortment of products, from electronics and cosmetics to food items and more.
• Customizable: Corrugated packaging is easily customizable. You can customize your packaging in various ways to suit your product. You can request different dimensions, styles and sizes, weight capacity and shapes and also print on corrugated packaging. Adding branding to your packaging is an effective marketing strategy that can set you apart, build trust with your consumers and boost product recognition.

Cost-Effectiveness

Regardless of your industry or the size of your business, finding cost-efficient solutions is always crucial. Corrugated packaging is a cost-effective solution that can help you save on:

• Storage and transportation: Corrugated boxes are easily foldable and stackable, making them an efficient storage solution that saves on storage space and costs in the warehouse and during transportation. More efficient use of space also optimizes the number of packages you send per shipment.
• Shipping: Thanks to its lightweight design, corrugated packaging won’t add significantly to an item’s weight during transport. Shipping costs are typically based on weight, meaning you can save on delivery costs simply by switching to corrugated packaging.

Frequently Asked Questions

Corrugated packaging is one of the best packaging solutions and the answers to these FAQs shed more light on its versatility:

Are There Different Types of Corrugate?

Yes! You get single-face, single-wall, double-wall and triple-wall corrugated packaging, ranging from least durable to most durable. Each type has its advantages and may be better suited to your needs based on budget and the type of products you want to package.

Is Corrugate Packaging a Popular Packaging Option?

There are different types of packaging materials, but corrugate is definitely one of the most popular and recommended materials because it is so cost-effective, efficient, versatile and sustainable.

Where Can I Get Quality Corrugated Packaging Solutions?

Corrugated packaging is a popular choice, but you always want to ensure quality and value when you purchase in bulk. At Great Northern Packaging, we have been supplying recyclable packaging solutions for over 60 years and offer outstanding service, reliability and expertise. We have also earned and maintained several certifications that showcase our high standards.

Corrugated Packaging Solutions From Great Northern Packaging

If you are looking for the best packaging solutions for your business and products, corrugated packaging is hard to beat for your secondary packaging needs.

At Great Northern Packaging, we have decades of experience and a professional team you can rely on for quality packaging solutions. Regardless of the quantity and size of your packaging needs, we have the products and solutions you need, including protective packaging and e-commerce packaging, which you can customize to your brand and product’s specifications. Get in touch with one of our packaging experts today!