Why is cardboard media packaging more eco-friendly than traditional plastic options.

Recent research published by the non-for-profit organisation Julie’s Bicycle has shown that the carbon emissions produced by the media industry could be significantly reduced by the adoption of alternative forms of packaging, as opposed to the traditional plastic jewel case. Significantly, the greatest reduction in emissions would result from the use of entirely card options.

Because plastic-based media packaging is produced from oil and recycling rates for plastic are low, the traditional jewel case and DVD case products present a challenge to eco-aware customers. As a result, customers are calling out for a more environmentally-friendly alternative, but what is it that makes card-based products more eco-friendly than plastic products?

In contrast to plastic packages, cardboard based packaging can be produced from virgin or recycled fibre, thereby allowing the customer the option of using board from sustainable forests. The source of the cardboard used is vital in ensuring that disc packaging is sustainable as poorly sourced fibre is not an ethical alternative to plastic. wewow are committed to producing packaging solely from FSC accredited stock so you can be sure that their products come from sustainable sources. There are a range of factors which affect sustainability of a packaging product, including the energy intensity of the process – the production of the WowWallet is much less energy intensive, for example, and wewow are always looking for ways to improve their production processes.

The production of CD/DVD packaging also raises labour issues, as products produced overseas in countries with differing labour standards may not fulfil the high labour and health and safety standards which the industry should be encouraging. wewow manufacture all of their eco-friendly optical media packaging in the UK so that customer’s can be sure of the ethicality of the production process. Furthermore, UK production, and more specifically local production, ensures that carbon emissions produced by the transportation of goods is kept to a minimum.

The exciting thing about the move towards eco-friendly CD/DVD packaging is that many of the new, card-based packaging options are strikingly unique and offer a bespoke alternative to the plastic cases which provide only limited scope for originality. For example, wewow’s range of eco-friendly packaging can be printed full colour inside and out and also allows space for a booklet. Of course, the way in which disc packaging is printed is central to ensuring that the product is eco-friendly. This issue will be discussed in more detail in wewow’s next blog.

This blog is part of a series of wewow articles being published to mark World Environment Day 2009 and aiming to raise awareness of the environmental issues surrounding the optical media and packaging industry.

World Environment Day

As World Environment Day 2009 is on 5^th June, we have decided to zoom in on some of the environmental issues surrounding the optical media industry. This month, we will be publishing a series of blogs offering practical advice and guidance on how to make your media project eco-friendly.

CD/DVD packaging is coming under close scrutiny at the moment as the industry looks to improve on the impact its products have upon the environment. The question is what should customers look for when selecting environmentally-friendly packaging?

The best way to explore the various eco-friendly options that are available is to deal with a supplier who is leading the way with environmentally friendly media packaging. Not only will they be experts in this area and able to offer you lots of information and guidance, they won’t be afraid to try something new. This area of the industry is growing quickly and eco-friendly media packaging experts are constantly researching new eco-friendly options and packaging designs.

wewow have been keen to take the lead in reducing the industries carbon footprint by developing a range of eco-friendly packaging options as alternatives to the traditional plastic based products. The wowPak set the ball rolling as wewow’s first packaging option to be manufactured entirely from FSC accredited board, meaning that the wowPak is made only from sustainable sources. The plastic tray was replaced by the unique pop up compartment which securely holds the disc in place and the entire CD/DVD pack can be printed with vegetable based inks.

Following the success of wowPak, wewow have gone on to develop the WowWallet, which has become one of the most popular developments within the industry this year. Similar to wowPak, WowWallet is made from FSC accredited paperboard, printed with vegetable based inks and there is not a plastic tray in sight. In order to reduce the products carbon emissions further, wewow have introduced an option to finish the WowWallet with a bio-degradable laminate and the wallet can be secured with bio-degradable shrink wrap.

wewow are dedicated to developing their range of eco-friendly CD & DVD packaging and are set to expand the range in the coming months. In our next blog entry we will focus on the benefits of using eco-friendly packaging in comparison to traditional plastic packages.