Corporate Express to reduce carbon emissions with smaller boxes

The company has developed two corrugated board boxes that are the same height as its existing small and medium-sized boxes, but take up only half the base size.

The new sizes were introduced after Corporate Express hired environmental consultancy firm Enviros to assess the carbon footprint made by its packaging and delivery boxes.

The environmental review included the option of using reusable tote boxes, liners and additional smaller cardboard boxes, but Corporate Express decided that the best option would be to introduce two smaller cardboard boxes.

According to Enviros, the smaller sized boxes will reduce Corporate Express’s annual volume of cardboard shipped to its customers by 148 tonnes and cut its carbon emissions by 208 tonnes a year.

The boxes, supplied by Lancashire-based TRM Packaging, are made from 100% recycled materials and are fully recyclable themselves.

Corporate Express said that no plastic film will be used to seal the contents inside and it has also changed the board used in its other boxes to include 100% recycled material.

Peter Aggett, technical director at Enviros, said: “The benefits of using an additional two smaller boxes include savings in volume of goods shipped, a reduction in carbon emissions and a reduction in corrugated board disposed by customers and the ability of Corporate Express to use the smaller boxes through all distribution channels.”

Corporate Express’s existing portfolio comprises small, medium and large boxes and a biodegradable jiffy bags used for smaller orders.

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