THE corrugated packaging sector minimised its carbon footprint by 4.8% between 2009 and 2011, following a reduction of almost 12% in the previous three-year cycle, according to a new study.
According to the European Federation of Corrugated Board Manufacturers’ (FEFCO) European database for corrugated board lifecycle studies, the average carbon footprint of corrugated packaging is currently 746kg per tonne, compared to 784kg pr tonne for the period 2006-2008.
Reductions in energy consumption and improvements in the industry’s use of recycled materials have made it possible to produce new corrugated packaging, which increased from 82% in 2009 to 85% in 2012 across Europe.
According to the Confederation of Paper Industries (CPI), the latest set of carbon footprint figures are proof that the corrugated industry leads the way in environmental matters. The majority of corrugated packaging comes from sustainably managed forests, using softwoods such as pine and spruce
