Folding boxes 
Shipping boxes 
Stand-up pouch 
Flexible packaging 
Labels 
Paper cans 
Sample boxes RECYCLABILITY OF FOLDING CARTONS
Folding cartons can be suitable for paper recycling, although their actual recyclability depends on the complete board structure, including coatings, laminates, adhesives and other finishes. Studies and industry assessments have examined the recyclability of folding cartons; however, the recyclability of a specific folding carton depends on its complete material structure and the finishes used.
Folding cartons can contribute to material recycling where their design is compatible with the intended paper-recycling process. The Fachverband Faltschachtel-Industrie e.V. (FFI), the European Folding Carton Association (ECMA) and other national associations have outlined the requirements that folding boxes must meet against this background.
The special challenge: The practical packaging solution comes in many different variants to be able to protect a variety of products with very different requirements. Coatings, laminations, adhesives and embossing are important for the functional efficiency of folding boxes. However, they must not be an obstacle to their recycling.
BEST CONDITIONS
Versatility has its price. In the case of folding boxes, for example, this means that the protective and barrier functions must be improved for certain products with "non-paper" agents. For effective barriers against oxygen, water vapor, migration, grease or other influences, the robust cardboard alone is often not enough.
In addition, folding boxes also fulfill representative tasks to promote sales in the retail trade. This requires a suitably high-quality and eye-catching presentation, which is often supported by foil embossing. Folding cartons can offer favourable conditions for paper recycling, provided that the complete material structure and any coatings, laminates, adhesives and finishes are compatible with the intended recycling process. Coated folding cartons may also be suitable for paper recycling, but the recyclability of each construction depends on the type and extent of the coating and on any other finishes used.
MORE EDUCATIONAL WORK
The recyclability of folding cartons depends not only on their material structure but also on collection, sorting and the intended recycling route. Effective collection, sorting and recycling systems are also important for recovering paper fibres from used folding cartons.
However, the handling of used folding boxes is not always in the spirit of this circular economy. The reasons for this are, for example:
- Composting instead of recycling: Compostability cannot be assumed for folding cartons. A specific folding carton may only be described as compostable if appropriate testing against a recognised compostability standard, such as EN 13432, is available for the specific construction.
- Incorrect disposal: Coated folding boxes or those with viewing windows made of plastic easily cause uncertainty among consumers: How is such packaging actually disposed of correctly? Because of the plastic content, these boxes are often placed in the yellow bag for lightweight packaging. Fiber-based packaging such as folding boxes can still be separated from this. However, this is only possible with significant losses in quality, for example due to contamination.
Correct collection and sorting can support the recovery of paper fibres and their return to paper and board recycling processes.
