Comparative analysis of the environmental impact of different types of packaging
- dortega31
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
Comparison of folding cardboard, plastic (PET), glass, aluminium and steel containers.
Key indicators such as carbon footprint, energy and water consumption, and recyclability are considered to justify the benefits of using folding cartons.
Environmental Impact Comparison of Packaging by Type
Type of Container | Carbon Footprint (kg CO₂e/tonne) | Embedded Energy (MJ/kg) | Water consumption | Recyclability | Remarks |
Folding Carton | 249 (creation-to-waste) | 11–15 | Moderate | High (up to 85%) | Lightweight,biodegradable, renewable |
Plastic (PET) | 1,600–3,000 | 77–88 | Low | Low (9–14%) | Lightweight, but low recyclability and environmental persistence |
Glass | 850–1,200 | 15 | High | High (but heavy) | Heavy, recyclable, but high energy consumption |
Aluminium | 8,240 | 155 | Low | Very high (up to 75%) | Lightweight, recyclable, but high initial impact |
Steel | 1,370 | 20 | Moderate | Loud | Durable, yet heavy and with a higher carbon footprint than cardboard |
Benefits of Folding Carton
Low Carbon Footprint: Folding carton has a significantly lower environmental impact and carbon footprint (249 kg CO₂e/tonne) compared to other materials such as plastic and glass.
Lower Energy Consumption: It requires less energy for its production (11–15 MJ/kg) compared to materials such as aluminum and plastic.
Recyclability and Renewability: Cardboard is highly recyclable and comes from renewable sources, making it a sustainable option.
Lightness and Biodegradability: It is a lightweight material, which reduces emissions during transport, and is biodegradable, minimizing its environmental impact in case of improper disposal.
⚠️ Other Material Considerations
Plastic (PET): Although it is lightweight and has low water consumption, its low recycling rate and persistence in the environment are concerning.
Glass: Highly recyclable, but its weight and high energy consumption during production make it less environmentally efficient.
Aluminium: It has a high recyclability, but its initial production is very energy and emissions intensive.
Steel: Durable and recyclable, but heavier and with a higher carbon footprint than cardboard.
Conclusion
Folding carton stands out as a sustainable packaging option due to its low carbon footprint, lower energy consumption, high recyclability, and renewable origin. These characteristics make it a preferable alternative to materials such as plastic, glass, aluminium and steel, especially in applications where sustainability and environmental efficiency are priorities.
Sources of Comparative Analysis
🟫 Folding carton
Carbon Footprint: The study "The Carbon Footprint of Carton Packaging 2023" conducted by RISE for Pro Carton reports an average carbon footprint of 249 kg CO₂e per ton of cardboard, considering the entire life cycle (cradle-to-grave). yumpu.com+3PaperFIRST+3Pro Carton+3
🟦 Plastic (PET)
Embodied Energy: According to the University of Massachusetts' "Embodied Energy.xlsx paper, the embodied energy in virgin PET is approximately 80.4 MJ/kg. bpb-us-e2.wpmucdn.com+1remadeinstitute.org+1
🟩 Glass
Carbon Footprint: The Glass Technology Services report indicates that glass recycling can save around 580 kg of CO₂ per tonne of recycled glass. FEVE+2glass-ts.com+2gca.com+2
🟨 Aluminium
Carbon Footprint: The Alupro organization points out that primary aluminum production in China can have a carbon footprint of up to 20 tons of CO₂e per ton of aluminum produced, while in Europe, where more renewable energy is used, this figure can be less than 7 tons of CO₂e per ton. Alupro
🟥 Steel
Carbon Footprint: According to the Sustainable Ships portal, the carbon footprint of steel varies between 1.4 and 1.85 tons of CO₂e per ton of steel produced, depending on the production method used. Sustainable Ships
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