Bio

BIO

If you wish to order boxes that meet ecological and sustainability criteria, here is our (subjective) classification, extracted from our experience, and taking into account:

  • choice and origin of the materials used
  • manufacturer's location
  • manufacturing processes (in particular the necessary tools and chemical inputs)
  • boxes’ durability, in particular their potential reuse
  • the shipping distance of boxes, on the whole supply chain

Do not get duped by the usual arguments of greenwashing (ecological ink, PEFC label, etc.) which have negligible impacts, you better focus on design intelligence and manufacturing methods which ultimately remains far more efficient in reducing carbon footprint. Do not hesitate to consult us to design together the most ecological and sustainable boxes possible.

Advantages:

Made in France, in Paris

Made of recycled / recyclable natural cardboard, no glue

Disadvantages: Just a little bit of glue

Advantages:

Made in France, in Paris

In recycled / recyclable cardboard; only the cover is covered with paper

Disadvantages:

none!

Advantages:

Made in France or in Europe

Recycled / recyclable cardboard

- More ecological than foam

Disadvantages:

The manufacture of inserts generally requires the creation of a cutting tool, not recyclable

Advantages:

Made in France or in Europe

In recycled / recyclable cardboard,

Printing with ecological inks

transport volume reduced with foldings

Disadvantages:

the box contains less recycled cardboard than rigid mounted boxes

Our advice:

Avoid film coatings, selective varnishes

Advantages:

Made in France, usually in Paris

Recycled / recyclable cardboard, covered with recycled / recyclable paper

We have cutting tools for many sizes

Printing with ecological inks

Disadvantages:

Transport larger than folding boxes

Our advice:

Avoid film coatings, selective varnishes

Advantages: 

- made of tinplate or aluminum, which are +/- 75% recycled materials

these boxes are widely reused by the consumers

the customization of boxes in stock is made in Europe, generally in France

some shapes are made in France in bespoke production

Disadvantages:

Disadvantages

Our advice::

Prefer tin cans rather than aluminum

Advantages:

Recycled / recyclable cardboard

Transport volume less voluminous than rigid boxes

Disadvantages:

The manufacture of these boxes is sometimes made in Asia

These boxes are generally not kept by the consumer

These boxes require an overpack for shipments

Our advice:

Avoid boxes with windows, non-recyclable

Advantages:

Recycled / recyclable cardboard

Printing with ecological inks

the customization of boxes in stock is made in Europe, generally in France

smaller volume of transport than rigid boxes

Disadvantages:

Manufacturing in Asia

bespoke production requires the manufacture of cutting tools, which cannot be recycled

Recycling magnets is sometimes a problem

Our advice:

Personalize the boxes with discreet logos and your final consumer will reuse the box

Advantages:

Made in France, or in Europe 

Recycled / recyclable cardboard

Recycled / recyclable cardboard

Ecological if produced in thousands of copies

Disadvantages:

Pallet transport necessary for large shapes

these boxes are never reused by the end consumer

bespoke production requires the manufacture of cutting tools, which cannot be recycled

A four-color or complex printing requires gluing paper on the cardboard

So not so ecological if manufactured in a few hundred copies

Our advice:

Avoid film coatings, selective varnishes, and adhesives

Avoid plastic windows, which cannot be recycled

Advantages:

Manufacturing in Europe

Wood from sustainably managed European forests (FSC, PEFC, etc.)

- the customization of boxes in stock is generally done in the factory

these boxes are widely reused by final consumers

Disadvantages:

Wood recycling is not always optimal

Advantages:

Made in Europe

Recycled / recyclable cardboard

Printing with ecological inks

No glue for boxes with stitching and rivet assembly

Disadvantages:

Pallet transport necessary for large formats

Bespoke production requires the manufacture of cutting tools, which cannot be recycled

A four-color or complex printing requires gluing paper on the cardboard

Our advice:

Prefer boxes assembled by stitching and rivets

Advantages:

Made in France, usually in Paris

Recycled / recyclable cardboard, covered with recycled / recyclable paper

Printing with ecological inks

Disadvantages:

Transport volume bigger than folded boxes

It is necessary to create cutting tools to hide the magnets

Recycling magnets is sometimes a problem

Our advice:

Avoid film coatings, selective varnishes

Disadvantages:

Most foams are not recyclable, and require hydrocarbons

The manufacture of shims generally requires the manufacture of a cutting tool, not recyclable

Advantages:

Made in France (references starting with ‘C’in our catalogue) 

Often reusable

Disadvantages:

Plastic generally not recyclable (polystyrene)

Advantages:

these boxes are widely reused by end consumers

Disadvantages:

generally made in Asia

lacquer boxes are often made of MDF (more polluting) and not from wood

lacquers use solvents most often based on hydrocarbons, especially for glossy lacquers

More information on sustainability