We help you meet your sustainability goals.
Sustainable packaging doesn’t have to look sustainable.
Make a big impact on your customers – not the environment. With our help, you can create a strong, eco-friendly story to support your brand.
What does it mean to be green?
Sustainability is not just about what happens at the recycling bin. A truly “green” product will be holistically sustainable, not relying on toxic processing, excessive energy consumption, or wasteful manufacturing.
At Zumbiel, sustainability goes deeper than paperboard material. It’s built into everything we do, starting at the source (the trees) and running through our processes, machines, and recycling.
We evaluate the entire lifecycle of paperboard packaging—from the first fiber sourced to the final fold.
100% certified sustainable packaging
Zumbiel’s paperboard is sourced from single, non-threatened species grown at dedicated tree farms.
Our rigorous Chain of Custody (CoC) certifications, including FSC® and SFI®, ensure that our fiber comes from responsibly managed forests.
We are committed to:
- Planting trees
- Supporting ethical forestry practices
- Protecting water quality and biodiversity
- Preserving labor rights
When you choose Zumbiel, we guarantee a sustainable chain of custody that respects the environment and industry workers.
Functional. Not Flimsy.
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
Our Sustainability Initiatives
Every year, we’re growing and improving upon our production methods.
Finding Partners
Using suppliers with meaningful sustainability programs.
Certifications
Certified by SFI and FSC to guarantee sustainable chain of custody for paperboard.
Lowered Carbon Emissions
Across operations, we take active steps to reduce our carbon footprint.
Facility Upgrades
Making our operations more efficient reduces waste.
Recycling
Most of our paperboard is recyclable or made from recycled material. Certain substrates are also compostable.
Long-Term Programs
We are currently developing a 15-year plan to achieve carbon neutrality.
Our Packaging Material
We prioritize responsibly sourced, recyclable materials:
- Standard beverage cartons: 100% recyclable
- Up to 10% post-industrial recycled content
- 100% recycled materials available for appropriate applications