Corrugated Plastic vs. Corrugated Cardboard:
Why Corrugated Plastic is Better

The concept of sustainability involves preserving society, resources, and the world through responsible decision making. MDI Corrugated Plastic products are designed to replace corrugated cardboard and are made from recyclable high density polyethylene (HDPE) or polypropylene (PP) that is then shaped into corrugated plastic containers or sheets. Boxes are distinguished as sustainable when they can be used multiple times in transport.

The wide use of corrugated cardboard in the U.S. economy makes it the largest product entering the waste stream: 4.36 million tons of corrugated cardboard containers found their way into U.S. landfills during 2010, a number that adds up to a total of $1.3 billion in landfilled paper each year.

Investing month after month in one time use corrugated shipping totes and packaging materials is not a wise decision for most manufacturing companies. Choosing a throwaway option just does not conform to common sense!

Disadvantages found in using corrugated cardboard boxes include all of the following:

• Corrugated cardboard has an appearance that is less desirable than high density polyethylene (HDPE).
• For packing specific items, corrugated cardboard boxes are less durable when faced with mechanical processes.
• As a packaging solution, cardboard provides minimal resistance to ambient moisture or directly introduced water.
• Under the pressure of stacking, corrugated cardboard boxes have a tendency to lose their shape and become dented.

Advantages corrugated plastic possesses over traditional corrugated cardboard paper products include:

• A lightweight nature.
• Resistance to chemical spills.
• Resistance to the elements.
• No production of dust.
• Resistance to impact damage.

Profit and savings can also be accomplished by converting from cardboard boxes to reusable corrugated plastic totes and bins that will:

Minimize overall business expenses by:

• Reducing transportation costs.
• Maximizing inventory protection.
• Limiting the amount of solid waste produced.
• Reducing cash spent on one time use cardboard.

Increase internal efficiency by:

• Speeding productivity levels.
Enhancing the use of all workspace. Optimizing the use of all available storage space through stacking.

Positively impact the environment by:

• Ensuring less one-time use cardboard makes it into the landfill.

Impact resistant, versatile and flexible, corrugated plastic totes and other products from MDI are ultimately ideal for packaging and transporting nearly any type of goods. Corrugated plastic containers are a more eco-friendly, cost-saving, and durable option than corrugated cardboard containers.