Report Shows Substantial Reductions In Corrugated Environmental Impact The Corrugated Packaging Alliance (CPA) announced a new lifle cycle assessment (LCA) showing that the corru- gated packaging industry has achieved substantial reduc- tions in the environmental impacts of a corrugated card- board box. The study shows a 50 percent per unit reduction in greenhouse gas emissions between 2006 and 2020, tack- ling the most predominant causes of our changing climate. The LCA, conducted for the CPA by Anthesis and the National Council for Air and Stream Improvement with third-party review by the Athena Institute, analyzed the cradle-to-grave circular life cycle of an average corrugated cardboard box made in the U.S. in 2020.
It estimated impacts to land, air and water based upon the new materials, manufacturing of those materials into products, the distribution/transportation and use of the products, and the end-of-life. “Reducing carbon emissions is the most important thing we can do for a more sustainable future,” said CPA Executive Director Bob McIlvaine. “Additional improve- ments in land, air and water indicators highlight the indus- try’s progress and reaffirm our long-standing commitment to sustainable manufacturing across operations.” Meaningful reductions were also achieved in ozone de- pletion (13 percent), energy usage (13 percent), water us- age (18 percent), acid rain (41 percent), smog (44 percent), respiratory effects (54 percent) and eutrophication which leads to algae blooms and dead zones in bodies of water (30 percent). The industry’s progress was attained through energy
improvements, strong recycling infrastruc- ture, sustainably managed forests, and an ongoing commitment to improvement. The industry continues to shift to cleaner-burn- ing fuel, has increased its participation in a greener U.S. electric grid and made invest- ments in energy efficiency. The introduction of new, fresh fibers from sustainably managed forests drives the removal of carbon dioxide from the at- mosphere. The use of old corrugated con- tainers (OCC) has also contributed to the avoidance of carbon dioxide and methane emissions from landfills. This combination of both new, fresh fibers, and recycled fi- bers maximizes fiber reuse and enables circularity. Much of this progress is also driven by the sustainability commitments of companies in the industry. “Sustainable practices are at the foun- dation of the paper and wood products industry,” said Heidi Brock, AF&PA Presi- dent & CEO. “Our industry has a long track record of sustainability leadership, and we are committed to making continued prog- ress on quantifiable sustainability goals as part of the Better Practices, Better Planet 2030 initiative. This life cycle assessment reflects a longstanding commitment to sustainable manufacturing furthering the circular nature of our industry.” The corrugated industry continues to prioritize sustainability through sci- ence-based goals and innovation. As soci- ety faces increasingly urgent environmen- tal challenges, the corrugated industry remains committed to making positive changes for our world. For more information, visit fibrebox. org/life-cycle-assessments .
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October 9, 2023
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