Corrugated Plastic Boxes

Corrugated Plastic Boxes

Cardboard boxes, particularly corrugated cardboard boxes, are among the most popular shipping and storage utilities. They are inexpensive, lightweight and recyclable. However, there are shipping and storage needs that cannot be met by cardboard containers. This is true in the transportation of heavy objects that cannot be supported by cardboard, certain food and medical products and a variety of other examples. Recycle bins, which are subject to spilled liquid and sticky debris, generally cannot be made of cardboard; cardboard degrades much more easily and quickly when exposed to such substances. Also, cardboard cannot be cleaned after such exposure, which limits the working lifespan of a recycle bin made of cardboard. Corrugated plastic is highly preferred to cardboard in applications where such exposure is likely. Corrugated cardboard containers are used in waste management, food transportation and packaging, medical products packaging and in a variety of other applications.

Corrugated plastic boxes are constructed from a range of extruded, twin-wall plastic sheet products. Extruded plastics that may be used include high-impact polypropylene resin, polyethylene, vinyl and many other plastic varieties. The boxes are constructed in a way similar to that of corrugated paperboard. Two sheets of plastic surround an inner, fluted sheet. The air pillows created by the fluting provide impact-resistance and strength. Corrugated plastic boxes come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and they offer advantages over corrugated paperboard in some situations. Plastic is moisture and mold resistant, stronger than paperboard and can resist some chemicals. Plastic boxes can be locked, whereas paperboard boxes are not as secure. They can also be stacked easily and can be folded flat for storage, though this is also true of many cardboard containers. Plastics can also be recycled, although not as easily or completely as paperboard. Corrugated plastic boxes also have some disadvantages. Up-front and replacement costs are much higher for plastic than paperboard. Corrugated plastic boxes are also heavier than cardboard containers of similar size. Choosing paper or cardboard as a container material should involve anticipating all of the demands to which the material will be subject in its application.