I recently saw a sale paper promoting a “natural wood” clothing rack. As a leader is sustainable packaging, this ad caught my attention because isn’t all wood “natural”? Is there a forest full of fake trees out there somewhere that is used to make fake or artificial wood?
I supposed you could make something the shape and color of wood but manufacture it out of plastic. Or maybe a purist could consider an item made out of wood waste, for example plywood or particleboard. Technically, those products or byproducts are natural and are also made of wood, though they are not produced in a “natural” form.
What does this have to do with packaging?
Our company is 18 years old this year, which means we were around in the very beginning of the sustainability movement. In the early days, people would call and ask if we offered “green” boxes. My response would usually be, “how green do you want them to be”. It may sound like a smart-ass response, but it was indeed a legitimate question because we soon discovered everyone’s definition of green, eco-friendly or sustainability, was different. Eighteen years later that product differential still exists and applies.
Corrugated and paperboard structures.
Paperboard for folding or rigid boxes are usually made in one layer which can vary in terms of virgin or recycled content. Examples, SBS (solid bleached sulfate) which is white throughout or CUK (coated unbleached kraft) which is white only on one side. The smoother white surface is typically required for best print results of printing a multi-color or complex graphic design. The natural, kraft or recycled content layer is typically more economical but rule of thumb, any board type with any white surface is no longer, “100% recycled content”.
All of this holds true for corrugated board structures as well, but the primary difference is that the middle, “waffle” or medium layer is always 100% recycled content. That medium is usually approximately 40% of the overall content. The inner and outer layers can differ in recycled content depending on the board grade and thickness, as well as the printing requirements much like the paperboard described above.
Recycled board options and types.
To learn more, please check out this sustainability link from our web site. What you will see is that your most popular eco-friendly packaging choices are partial recycled content, 100% recycled content, and 100% PCW (post-consumer waste) content. Another often requested board inquiry is FSC certified but cost, minimums, and lead times may come into play.
What sustainable board is best for you?
Not all of these may be appropriate for your specific application, but we can help you determine that with a brief conversation so we can learn more about your specific application. For example, your graphics will help determine the best printing process and that usually leads us to the best ink. The print process and ink being used almost always dictate the best substrate option. Please visit our gallery and see the end result when the right board, ink and print process is utilized.
Please feel free to call us for a no cost, no obligation review of your packaging needs. You can call us at 630-551-1700 or contact us through this link. The more we learn about you and your packaging requirements, the easier it will be for us to recommend the best solution at the lowest possible cost.
Related posts:
https://www.salazarpackaging.com/bespoke-new-word-same-great-e-commerce-packaging-design/
https://www.salazarpackaging.com/four-cost-saving-packaging-tips-from-the-experts/
https://www.salazarpackaging.com/top-ecommerce-packaging-trends-for-2026-and-lessons-from-2025/
https://www.salazarpackaging.com/the-4-most-important-things-when-creating-a-new-e-commerce-package/