A recent survey by the Corrugated Packaging Alliance (CPA), Elk Grove Village, Illinois, finds that in 2013 the industry used 39 percent less wax-coated material than in 2002. The reduction brings the total waxed corrugated volume to less than 3 percent of the total corrugated volume produced in 2013, compared with 5 percent of the total volume produced in 2002.
The CPA says the decrease is attributed to the development of recyclable alternatives. By developing and using wax alternatives, the corrugated industry says it continues to increase the amount of recyclable corrugated packaging available. The CPA points out that coupled with the significant supermarket and retail collection of old corrugated containers (OCC), small volumes of OCC end up in landfill.
Additional findings of the survey include the following:
The CPA says the decrease is attributed to the development of recyclable alternatives. By developing and using wax alternatives, the corrugated industry says it continues to increase the amount of recyclable corrugated packaging available. The CPA points out that coupled with the significant supermarket and retail collection of old corrugated containers (OCC), small volumes of OCC end up in landfill.
Additional findings of the survey include the following:
- In 2013, the corrugated industry shipped 9.9 billion square feet of boxes using recyclable wax alternative coatings, a 653 percent increase from the 1.3 billion square feet shipped that used recyclable wax alternative coating in 2002.
- Progress has been made in replacing all types of wax-treated boxes (cascaded, impregnated and curtain-coated) with recyclable-treated boxes.
- A total of 47 recyclable wax alternatives have passed certification testing for repulpability and recyclability and have been registered with the Fibre Box Association as of October 2014.
- Certified registrations have been completed by seven coating suppliers who offer solutions in the marketplace and 12 converting companies offering proprietary products to their customers.
Dennis Colley, executive director of the CPA, says, “Corrugated is the most reliable, cost-effective and sustainable package available for transporting most products, including those requiring moisture protection such as fresh produce. Even those boxes can be made with recyclable materials. The continuous decrease in wax coatings to below 3 percent of total industry volume means that renewable, recyclable corrugated can be used for even the most demanding applications.”
The CPA is an initiative jointly sponsored by the American Forest & Paper Association, the Association of Independent Corrugated Converters, the Fibre Box Association and the Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry.
The CPA is an initiative jointly sponsored by the American Forest & Paper Association, the Association of Independent Corrugated Converters, the Fibre Box Association and the Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry.
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