Cardboard so good for recycling

In these days of increasing concern for our environment it may be encouraging for your readers to learn that one of the oldest and most commonly used forms of packaging materials in use today is also the most environmentally friendly.

If corrugated packaging (cardboard) was invented today, it would no doubt be hailed as a miracle product.

It has an unrivalled ability not only to protect but also to provide information about the product by way of the printing and graphics on its exterior, while still boasting the best UK recycling record of any packaging material. Nearly every manufactured or farmed item has been packaged in a corrugated container at some point during its lifetime.

On average, corrugated boxes made in the UK contain 76 per cent recycled material. Many boxes are made from 100 per cent recycled material. Some 93 per cent of all corrugated materials used in the UK are collected for recycling.

But there is no need for any of the rest to go to landfill. In an ideal world, local authorities would arrange for the separation and collection of such materials for recycling or even incineration for energy recovery, but may also be composted.

The preferred option of the industry is for recycling - today's used cardboard box put out for recycling is next week's brand new one.

It is worth remembering the fibres within the paper layers cannot be recycled indefinitely, since with every cycle, the fibres get shorter and weaker.

If we as a society are serious about recycling and the avoidance of landfill, we need have no qualms about spending money on goods packaged using corrugated materials.

Don Haines, Ketley