Replacing plastic with corrugated cardboard: A carbon footprint analysis of disposable packaging in a B2B global supply chain—A case study

Industry is increasingly committed to reduce its ecological footprint. One specific area of increased industrial interest is the use of plastic-free packaging. Plastic packaging is efficient from a supply chain perspective, but as waste risks causing disastrous environmental effects. This case study assesses the environmental impacts (from cradle to grave) of plastic cushioning inserts vs. corrugated cardboard cushioning inserts. The cushioning options have different measurements requiring different box sizes. The carbon footprint calculation covers the main phases of the packaging life cycle: manufacturing, transport and end-of-life processes. Calculation results show that the corrugated cardboard option has the highest carbon footprint, due to weight increase along with long transport distances and high dependence on airfreight. The results reinforce the importance of developing alternatives to plastic packaging without increasing packaging weight. Managerial implications and suggestions for policymakers are presented and discussed.