Plastic or Cardboard: Which is the Best Material for Packing Boxes?

Cardboard or plastic? Can’t seem to decide? This is not only your confusion, but it happens with most customers who just can seem to make their mind about the choice of packing box for their products. Corrugated cardboard boxes have been the choice of packaging material for ages and generating acceptance for plastic boxes.

There is nothing wrong with using a plastic corrugated box. In fact, it is encouraged that such boxes be used for shipping as well as storage because they can be re-used effectively. These boxes are also more durable and do not incur damages easily. Cost may be a factor that might deter a few people, but nowadays the availability of recycled plastic boxes has made it feasible to purchase these packaging materials without burning a hole in your pocket.

While I would prefer a plastic box any day, it would be best if we let the facts speak. Both packaging materials have their pros and cons. The determining factor depends on the extent of use and benefits delivered by the box. Let’s do a comparative review to make things clearer.

Protective Capability

This is the most obvious determining factor that should be mandatorily present in any packaging material. Plastic boxes have a clear advantage over cardboard in terms of protection of the contents. Corrugated boxes may be effective and popularly used, they just don’t cut it when you need really secure packaging materials that are able to create a safe internal environment for the contents. Plastic boxes also offer better protection against pets and rodents. This is something that is difficult to achieve with cardboard boxes.

Handling

Plastic boxes are the winner in this category as well due to the high convenience in handling provided by these packaging materials. Haven’t your come across plastic boxes with wheels and handles yet? You can easily add these components and make it really easy to handle plastic boxes. This just doesn’t work out in the same manner for cardboard boxes which means that you have to lift up these boxes manually or with machines. In either case, it doesn’t feel as convenient as using a plastic box with handles and / or wheels.

Durability

There should not be any doubt about this one. Plastic is the clear winner in this category and it is definitely more durable than cardboard on any given day. The plastic containers offer greater protection and can withstand rough usage without harming the contents.

Waterproofing

It is possible to waterproof the cardboard packing boxes with the use of appropriate materials. However, this won’t be as effective as plastic boxes which have greater water repellence and the boxes do not lose their strength when wet. This is a huge advantage for shipping beverages and liquid products. Moreover, the plastic cases can protect sensitive contents from being damaged by moisture or water.

Environmental Impact

Both cardboard and plastic are capable of being recycled and have proven themselves as an effective packaging material (in terms of sustainability). However, plastic is turning out to have a greener footprint than cardboard in various aspects. For example, paper production is much more energy intensive than producing plastic. Cardboard forms almost 30% of the dump in landfills worldwide and the decomposition of paper yields methane which further aggravates the greenhouse effect.

Versatility

Plastic is used in the production of boxes and sheets, while cardboard can be made into rolls also. Cardboard is the clear winner in this segment as the number of applications and the ease of working with cardboard makes it a really versatile packaging material. The same is not feasible with plastic, at least not with the ones that are used in the preparation of packing boxes.

Cost

In terms of resource cost, cardboard is definitely cheaper than plastic. But if you analyse the overall value per investment, then plastic is a better option as the high durability allows increased reuse of the packaging material without the need for replacing the existing resources frequently. Plastic packing boxes can even be taken up on rent which adds to the total savings that you can achieve. However, this is a relative advantage and the final decision remains with the buyer.

The Verdict!

Plastic is turning out to be a better packing material than cardboard mainly due to the developments which have made plastic a better and greener option. Moreover, the increased use of recycled materials means that plastic corrugated boxes are not only getting more affordable but they are also helping customers save up on cost of shipping supplies.