Paper and cardboard food packaging: a sustainable revolution in the world of packaging

Packaging

Staff Cart-One 18/06/2026 0

Pizza boxes, bread bags, pasta packaging: paper and cardboard are everywhere in our kitchens. But what do we really know about these materials? And how are they revolutionizing the way we store and consume food?

Paper and cardboard food packaging: a sustainable revolution in the world of packaging. The food industry is constantly evolving, as is the way products are packaged and presented to consumers. In this ever-changing landscape, paper and cardboard are emerging as protagonists of a true sustainable revolution in the world of packaging. Read also: “Packaging: paper is the fastest-growing food packaging material”

The boom of paper and cardboard: an ecological and versatile alternative

Paper and cardboard are conquering more and more space on supermarket shelves, gradually replacing plastic packaging and other less ecological materials. This trend is driven by a growing environmental awareness among consumers, who seek products with a lower impact on the planet. But the advantages of paper and cardboard go far beyond sustainability:

  • Biodegradability and recyclability: unlike many plastic materials, paper and cardboard are biodegradable and easily recyclable. This means they can be reintroduced into the production cycle, reducing the amount of waste that ends up in landfills.
  • Versatility and personalization: paper and cardboard offer endless possibilities for customization in terms of design, shape, and size. Producers can create unique packaging that stands out from the competition and effectively communicates brand identity.
  • Food safety: when properly treated, paper and cardboard are safe for direct contact with food. Specific regulations exist to guarantee the absence of harmful substances in food packaging.
  • Lightness and resistance: despite their lightness, paper and cardboard can be surprisingly resistant, especially when combined in multi-layer structures. This makes them suitable for protecting food during transport and storage.
  • Cost-effectiveness: in many cases, paper and cardboard represent a cost-effective packaging solution, especially when considering economies of scale in production and the availability of recycled material.

Paper and cardboard: a world of variety

There is not just one type of paper or cardboard, but a wide range of materials with different characteristics:

  • Kraft Paper: produced from virgin fibers, it offers high quality and resistance and is suitable for direct contact with food.
  • Recycled Paper: obtained from the recycling of used paper, it represents an ecological and sustainable choice.
  • Corrugated Cardboard: used for boxes and protective packaging, thanks to its wavy structure that offers adequate resistance to stress.
  • Paperboard: thinner and lighter than corrugated cardboard, multi-layered, it is suitable for direct contact primary packaging.

Paper through time: a millenary history

The history of paper is a fascinating journey spanning millennia and continents. From ancient Egypt, where papyrus was used as a support for writing, to China, where the process of producing paper from plant fibers was invented, all the way to Europe, where paper became an essential element for the spread of culture and knowledge. Today, the paper industry is a cutting-edge sector that uses innovative technologies to produce high-quality paper and cardboard while respecting the environment.

Paper recycling: a pillar of the circular economy

Paper recycling is a fundamental process to reduce the environmental impact of the paper industry. Thanks to recycling, it is possible to recover the cellulose fibers contained in used paper and transform them into new paper, reducing the need to cut down trees and saving energy and water. The paper recycling process involves several stages: collection, sorting, cleaning, repulping, de-inking, and new paper production. Each stage is crucial to guarantee the quality of the final product and its compliance with safety standards.

Health and safety: the challenges of paper and cardboard packaging

Despite numerous advantages, paper and cardboard packaging also present some challenges in terms of health and safety. In particular, it is important to consider the risk of chemical migration from packaging to food. Among the potentially dangerous substances that can migrate from paper and cardboard to food, we find:

  • PFAS (perfluoroalkyl substances): used in some treatments to make paper resistant to water and grease, PFAS are known for their persistence in the environment and potential negative effects on human health.
  • MOSH and MOAH (mineral hydrocarbons): can derive from offset printing inks or mineral oils used in the paper manufacturing process. Some MOAH are considered potentially carcinogenic.
  • Heavy metals: such as lead, cadmium, and mercury, can be present in traces in recycled paper.
  • Chemical additives: such as optical brighteners, dyes, and adhesives, can migrate into food under certain conditions.

To ensure the safety of paper and cardboard packaging, it is essential that manufacturers comply with strict quality standards and use certified materials for food contact.

Regulations and quality standards for consumers

The food packaging industry is subject to a series of regulations and quality standards aimed at ensuring consumer safety. In Europe, Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004 establishes general requirements for all materials and articles intended to come into contact with food. Furthermore, there are specific corporate management system standards for the production of paper and cardboard packaging, such as:

  • BRCGS Packaging Materials: a global standard covering all aspects of food safety and packaging quality, from design to production.
  • FSSC 22000 Packaging: a certification system that integrates the ISO 22000 standard for food safety management with technical specifications for packaging.
  • IFS PACsecure: an international standard focused on the safety and quality of food packaging materials.

These standards provide manufacturers with clear guidelines on how to ensure the safety and quality of their packaging, minimizing the risk of food contamination.

The future of paper and cardboard packaging

The paper and cardboard packaging industry is constantly evolving, driven by the search for increasingly innovative and sustainable solutions. Emerging trends include:

  • Development of barrier materials: special coatings and treatments that improve the barrier properties of paper and cardboard, protecting food from moisture, oxygen, and light.
  • Use of alternative fibers: such as hemp, bamboo, and algae, which offer sustainable alternatives to traditional wood fibers.
  • Active and smart packaging: packaging capable of interacting with food to extend its shelf life or provide useful information to consumers.

The future of paper and cardboard packaging is promising, with enormous potential to contribute to a more sustainable and responsible food system.

Toward a greener future with paper and cardboard packaging

Paper and cardboard are revolutionizing the world of food packaging, offering sustainable, versatile, and safe solutions. Thanks to their biodegradability, recyclability, and personalization, these materials are conquering more and more space on supermarket shelves, responding to consumer needs and the environmental challenges of our time. Choosing paper and cardboard packaging means making a conscious choice for a greener and more sustainable future. Cart-One offers tailor-made packaging solutions to meet the specific needs of our customers. Whether it is packaging delicate products or large goods, we have the ideal solution for you. Our packaging cardboards are not just containers, but a commitment toward a more sustainable and resilient future. Investing in our products means investing in quality, innovation, and environmental responsibility. For more information or to request a personalized quote, do not hesitate to contact us. To learn more: “Packaging cardboards: what materials are they made of?”

You may also like...

seo 18/06/2026

5 tips for better organizing company shipments
Organizing company shipments is a crucial and decisive aspect for any commercial activity that wishes to maintain high performance and ensure an effective logistics chain capable of satisfying its customers. 5 tips for better organizing your company shipments. With the growing demand from e-commerce and the need to send goods in a timely and secure manner, companies must be able to efficiently manage their shipping operations. In this article, we will therefore recommend the best strategies to optimize all shipping operations.   Read also: “What double-wall cardboard sheets are used for'”   Correct and effective management of company orders Company shipments must be planned and managed efficiently to ensure that goods arrive at their destination in a timely, precise manner, and in an optimal condition. This can be achieved through the choice of a reliable shipping provider, the creation of a tracking system to monitor the dispatch of goods, and the establishment of procedures to handle any issues or complaints. Therefore, a company must always be capable of correctly managing large quantities of packages and, consequently, optimizing expenses and shipping mechanisms. Let's now find out 5 valuable tips to better organize company shipments.   Plan the shipment in advance Organizing shipments in advance allows you to avoid potential delays and ensure that your packages arrive at their destination on time. Make sure you have all the necessary information, such as shipping addresses and tracking numbers, before sending everything. Planning shipments means in detail: knowing and confirming the orders that will be processed and fulfilled; sorting the order list; choosing the courier to assign to individual shipments.   Evaluate a reliable shipping service The choice of courier depends on your specific needs. If you need to deliver a package quickly, you might choose an express courier; if instead, you need to transport a bulky load, you might opt for a dedicated transport service. Remember that you should never underestimate this aspect, which is fundamental to ensuring that the transport and handover to the final customer are flawless.   Use shipping management software Shipping management software can help you keep track of your packages and monitor delivery status. Furthermore, it can also help you generate shipping labels and automate invoice generation. Using software therefore allows you to have the entire activity under control, from order receipt and shipment creation to courier selection, label printing, shipment monitoring, and the management of any issues.   Keep in touch with customers Communicate effectively and at all times with customers to inform them about the delivery status of their packages. This is a fundamental practice to ensure their satisfaction. Also, make sure to provide them with the tracking number of the package and to notify them in case of any delays or problems. For this reason, you should always analyze the data collected during shipments: in this way you can improve future shipping processes, for example, statistics on delivery times, shipping costs, and the frequency of any issues.   Customized and quality packaging For every product, its own ad hoc shipping box. There are indeed different types of packaging that can be used for shipments, depending on the type of product being shipped and the transport conditions, for example: double-wall cardboard boxes: particularly resistant for more fragile items and to better maintain rigidity, especially if the boxes are stacked; die-cut paper boxes: for paper products such as books, folders, brochures, documents, CDs, vinyls, and other product types that can be affected by humidity; compliant and certified packaging: which must be approved by the carrier providing the transport, ideal for glass bottles and tin containers that must be arranged inside the box so that they remain immobile and isolated from the bottom and side walls, damping and minimizing impacts.   Always remember that, during transport, goods may be subject to compression, vibrations, or accidental bumps during loading and unloading operations. For this reason, it is necessary to pay attention to the type of box and the protections to be placed inside, in order to improve safety conditions during the transport and sorting of the product. To ensure even more safety for your products, also consider: stretch film: to wrap products and keep them in place inside the box; protective foam: to protect fragile products during transport; polystyrene padding: to fill empty spaces inside the box and protect products during transport; adhesive tape: to close the box and ensure that products remain in place during transport.   In general, it is always important to use adequate packaging to ensure that products arrive at their destination in perfect condition. We hope these tips can help you better organize company shipments. And always remember: “to each their own product, to every need the right performance”. Cart-One offers you packaging capable of ensuring the best performance and a great attention to quality. Discover all our products and contact us for more information or to receive a free quote for your business.   You might also be interested in: “Packaging 2023: all the new packaging developments”
Read more

Staff Cart-One 19/06/2026

Environmental labeling in packaging: what the Italian regulations state
What is meant by environmental labeling in packaging? What content needs to be included on the labels and how should packaging be separated during collection to encourage recycling and enable environmental sustainability?   Environmental labeling in packaging: what the Italian regulations state. After a series of postponements, from January 1st, 2023, environmental labeling is finally welcomed, which will allow specific information on packaging composition to be obtained, and more. This requirement will be a fundamental tool to enable good practices regarding waste sorting, recovery, and packaging recycling.   You might also be interested in: “CONAI environmental contribution: what's new for 2022”   What environmental labeling is Environmental sustainability is among the essential factors to guarantee the protection of the environment, but also for consumers' knowledge regarding the correct disposal of packaging. This is a highly relevant topic given the recent regulatory updates that introduced mandatory environmental labeling on packaging. Based on an analysis conducted by the Immagino Observatory of GS1 Italy, it emerges that only 25.4% of food products in mass distribution carry the necessary information on how to properly dispose of the packaging on their label. For this reason, modern packaging must take a step forward in favor of the environment: environmental labeling will become mandatory in Italy from January 1st, 2023, precisely with the aim of properly communicating to consumers what material the package preserving the product is made of, and how to dispose of it after use, to facilitate the different recycling stages. Environmental labeling will therefore respond to a legal obligation, yes, but it will help the environment and people to gain a deeper understanding of the materials they buy and consume daily. A deeper awareness, therefore, as well as greater ease when shopping. To get specific, environmental labeling indicates in detail the information necessary to facilitate waste sorting activities and the recovery of packaging released for consumption. It should be emphasized that environmental packaging labeling has already existed since 1997, when the European Commission established the first material coding system used to produce packaging. Until today, it could be used on a voluntary basis, whereas starting from January 1st, 2023, and after a series of delays, labeling will instead become mandatory under Legislative Decree 116 of 2020, with the goal of fostering a new culture of production and distribution.   Details of the regulation Environmental labeling in Italy must comply with the methods established by the UNI (Italian National Unification Body) standards which, through rules and technical specifications, provides operators with applicable guidelines in line with European Union decisions regarding the Packaging Directive 94/62/EC. Based on these provisions, packaging must: provide clear indications on the nature of the materials used in their production, specifying whether they are compostable or biodegradable; have an adequate marking placed on the packaging itself or on the label, which must be clearly visible, easy to read, and legible even after the packaging is opened.   Going into further detail, let us also understand what information to include: type of packaging: with a written description in full or with a graphic representation (for example bottle, tray, label, can); recycling code: identifying the material used (with an alphanumeric code in accordance with Decision 97/129/EC), optionally integrated with the icon provided under UNI EN ISO 1043-1:2002 (plastic packaging) or CEN/CR 14311:2002 (steel, aluminum, and plastic packaging); reference material family and collection instructions: to specify the family of the reference material and indications on the type of collection, for example unsorted or sorted waste (specific to the material used). Furthermore, environmental labeling can be applied: on individual components that can be separated manually (caps, ribbons, film); or on the main body of the packaging (bottle, box, tray); or on the component that already carries the label, making the information more legible.   Environmental labeling is mandatory for producers defined by art. 218, letter r of Legislative Decree 152/2006, specifying all the involved operators, namely: packaging material suppliers; manufacturers; converters; importers of empty packaging and packaging material.   Checks and penalties To ensure proper compliance of environmental labels, necessary checks will be carried out by the Provinces and the bodies responsible for eventual enforcement action. From a legal standpoint, reference is made to the Environmental Code, art. 262, paragraph 1. There will be two methods of verification: by random sampling; upon eventual report by a consumer or another party.   According to art. 219, paragraph 5, Legislative Decree 152/2006, if an administrative offense occurs, the consumer or other interested party has the right to report the missing or incorrect mandatory environmental labeling to the competent authority. In the event of a proven violation, as provided by art. 11 of Law 689/1981, the Province will apply the penalty regime. If non-compliant environmental labels are used, there can be a fine ranging from 5,200 to 40.000 euros. However, penalties can be applied to both the packaging material producer, as well as to merchants and distributors. In addition, the penalty will not be applied cumulatively to each individual packaging with non-compliant environmental labeling, but according to the severity of the offense.   Read also: “Paper Recycling: guidelines for facilitating packaging recycling”   Cart-One has always stood out for the production of sustainable packaging. Contact us for more information on our proposals for creating personalized, high-quality packaging.
Read more

Staff Cart-One 19/06/2026

Shrink film: damage to the environment and green alternatives
Shrink film is one of the most often used packaging in the Food & Beverage sector. This type of packaging is suitable for manual and automatic lines and represents an optimal way to seal products. While representing an economic and sustainable method, perfect for the needs of large retailers, at the same time its environmental impact cannot be denied when it becomes waste. The shrink film, if not made with biodegradable films, often becomes a mere waste without any possibility of being differentiated. The question to ask, therefore, is: is shrink film always necessary? The ecological alternatives to shrink film More and more consumers today are demanding sustainable packaging for the products they buy. This trend is encouraged by a greater green culture and a wider awareness of the damage caused by global warming and climate change, mainly due to a lifestyle based solely on use and consumption. Recycling is now a reality to which consumers are accustomed, but at the same time the latter are always looking for a product that has a packaging that can be easy to differentiate. For shrink film, however, this may not always be the case. In addition to the production of biodegradable films or films made of recycled plastic that can be used in contact with food, one wonders if the shrink film is really indispensable for the Beverage sector. As for the bottles, the shrink wrap performs the function of transporting several bottles at the same time. Let's think, for example, of the classic water packaging, where the bottles are held together by the wrapper. In these cases, transport solutions in other materials, such as corrugated cardboard, can also be used. This is the revolution brought about by ECOGRIP. Cardboard packaging: a sustainable resource With ECOGRIP a new approach to packaging opens up. The product was developed by Blue Box Partners, the European alliance of cardboard packaging manufacturers to which Sada and Sandra belong thanks to their participation in the Cart-One network. The aim was to provide a sustainable alternative for bottle transport. ECOGRIP offers the possibility of eliminating the shrink film in favor of a 100% biodegradable solution, coming from recycled raw materials and in turn recyclable. ECOGRIP was conceived on the basis of an Eco - design philosophy that avoids wasting raw materials while maximizing results.
Read more

Cerca...