Truly “Going Green” at Zumbiel
When thinking sustainably, it’s easy to fixate on the materials of a product and whether or not it can be composted, recycled, reused, or some combination of the three. While the makeup of the product is a key element of sustainable production, there are many other contributing factors.
A product that can be composted or recycled is not very sustainable if it requires toxic chemicals, massive amounts of energy, or a waste of resources to manufacture.
We’ll break down our approach to paperboard sustainability at Zumbiel.
The Hidden Engineering Behind Sustainable Packaging
Paperboard looks simple on the surface. It’s light and thin, and–well–it’s just paper, right?
The reality is that the paperboard sitting on a retail shelf holding your favorite IPA is a highly engineered material. It’s designed to withstand variable temperatures, bend and fold for optimal packaging, and survive a complex journey before ever reaching the consumer.
As brands rush to meet various sustainability goals, there is often a temptation to view packaging solely through the lens of “recyclability.” While the ability to recycle paperboard is critical, true sustainability goes even deeper. Running a sustainable operation is a balancing act between the science of the material, supply chain efficiency, and responsible sourcing.
Functional vs. Recyclable: Do you have to choose?
Sustainable packaging must also be functional, so striking the balance between recyclable paperboard that also keeps cans secure is essential. A carton that collapses in transit means damaged products and wasted food and drink — the opposite of sustainability.
A few of the key material properties we focus on most when evaluating how a carton will perform:
Structural Performance
- Influenced by basis weight, caliper, and fiber structure
Caliper, or thickness, plays a major role in overall durability - Stiffness determines how rigid the board is and how well it maintains its shape on the line and on shelf
Moisture Protection
- Achieved through functional, application-specific additives
- Critical for cartons that need to withstand humidity, refrigeration, or tougher handling conditions
Print Surface Quality
- Smoothness directly impacts print clarity and consistency
- SBS is our flagship substrate and delivers some of the cleanest, most reliable print results
Sourced Responsibly: Protecting Forests and People
Engineering is only half the battle. The sourcing of materials also makes a big difference. At Zumbiel, we maintain rigorous Chain of Custody (CoC) certifications, including FSC® and SFI®, to ensure that our fiber comes from responsibly managed forests.
CoC standards go beyond planting trees. They are used to verify that the fiber we use supports forestry practices that protect water quality and biodiversity. Furthermore, our compliance practices ensure the protection of labor rights. When you choose Zumbiel, you don’t have to worry about where your paperboard fiber comes from. We guarantee a sustainable chain of custody that respects both the environment and industry workers.
What Happens at the End of a Paperboard’s Life?
Paperboard is naturally recyclable, but coatings, laminates, and local recycling rules can complicate the process. This is why we consult with our clients on the right materials for their sustainability goals.
The Zumbiel Difference
Whether you’re leveraging our HP PageWide digital press to reduce waste on short runs or optimizing a substrate to survive a humid supply chain, sustainability is an ingrained part of our production process.
Contact us to source sustainable paperboard for your next run.
