What we initially perceive as right and the best way forward might, in fact, be wrong due to limited considerations and knowledge. With the increasing awareness of the environmental impact of single-use plastic, many have shifted to paper bags and alternative packaging. However, this awareness often lacks depth in understanding how paper bags and alternative packaging also pose serious threats to climate change and overall environmental sustainability.
The transition from single-use plastic bags to paper bags and other alternative materials was initially seen as a positive step towards sustainability. However, a comprehensive examination reveals that while these alternatives offer some benefits, they also present significant threats to climate change and overall environmental sustainability.
At first glance, paper bags seem like a more environmentally friendly choice due to their biodegradability and potential for recycling. However, their production exacts a toll on the environment. The manufacturing process for paper bags demands significant resources, primarily wood pulp obtained from trees. This reliance contributes directly to deforestation, a major cause of climate change.
Observing the trend of transitioning from plastic to paper bags and other alternative packaging materials brings about adaptations in the practices of the paper and cardboard industry. The popularity of paper packaging surged in the twentieth century and is now utilized across various applications such as food packaging, consumer electronics packaging, and protective packaging. In 2019, paper and cardboard accounted for over 33 percent of the global demand for packaging materials (Statista Research Department, 2023).
The rising demand for paper packaging
Post-digitization, many believed that the paper industry would fade away, yet the paper packaging sector has weathered the storm. Despite the surge in digital media usage leading to a global decline of over 30 percent in graphic paper production since 2010, the production of packaging paper and cardboard has increased by more than 22 percent, reaching 249 million metric tons (Statista Research Department, 2023). "One of the major drivers behind this growth is the rise of e-commerce. The increased production of cardboard and paper packaging in recent decades has largely stemmed from China, which has now become a leading producer of paper packaging and cardboard globally. In 2000, China produced 17.4 million metric tons of paper packaging and cardboard, and by 2020, the annual production had quadrupled to 70.3 million metric tons (Statista Research Department, 2023).
What are the main types of paper packaging?
Some primary types of paper packaging include folding cartons, paper bags and sacks, as well as corrugated boxes. Corrugated boxes are commonly used for shipping heavy goods due to their high strength. Containerboard is used to produce corrugated boxes and is the most widely consumed type of paper worldwide. The consumption of containerboard is projected to continue increasing over the next decade, reaching 220 million tons by 2030 (Statista Research Department, 2023). Paper packaging is considered more environmentally friendly compared to plastic. Hence, some major companies like Apple have shifted to using predominantly cardboard paper packaging for their products.
Top Paper Packaging Companies
As paper packaging stands as the most widely used packaging material globally, it's no surprise that manufacturers of paper packaging rank among the leading entities in this industry. The largest paper packaging company is International Paper based in the United States, reporting revenue exceeding $19 billion in 2021. One of International Paper's key products is corrugated packaging, with sales reaching nearly 11 million tons in 2021 (Statista Research Department, 2023). Other major companies operating in the paper packaging industry include WestRock, Oji Holdings, Stora Enso, and Smurfit Kappa. As one of the largest industrial sectors globally, the pulp and paper industry holds significant influence over global forests. This sector, producing products such as office paper, glossy paper, tissues, and paper-based packaging, accounts for 13–15% of the total wood consumption and utilizes between 33–40% of all traded industrial wood globally (WWF, n.d.). Dan Amerika Serikat adalah negara produsen dan konsumen kertas terbesar kedua di dunia.
