Sustainable Packaging
Corrugated Boxes
- Regular slotted Container (RSC)
- Half Slotted Container (HSC)
- Full Overlap (FOL)
- Roll End Tuck Top (RETT/Mailer)
- Additional Box Styles
- Corrugated Inserts
Folding Cartons
- Straight Tuck End (STE)
- Reverse Tuck End (RTE)
- Full Seal
- Auto Bottom
- Chipboard Inserts
Pouches
- Stand Up
- Lay Flat
- Gusseted
- Retort
- Block Bottom
- Sachets
- Additional Pouch Styles
Stock Packaging Products
- Corrugated Packaging
- Shipping Boxes
- Chipboard Packaging
- Edge Protectors
- Mailers (Kraft)
- Kraft Tape
- Kraft Paper
- Fully Customizable
- Wide Product Selection
- Recyclable
- Biodegradable
- Compostable
- Environment Friendly Print Options and more
- Fully Customizable
- Wide Product Selection
- Recyclable
- Biodegradable
- Compostable
- Environment Friendly Print Options and more
- Fully Customizable
- Wide Product Selection
- Recyclable
- Biodegradable
- Compostable
- Environment Friendly Print Options and more
Recyclable, Biodegradable, and Compostable Packaging
Biodegradable packaging is made from materials that naturally break down over time through the action of microorganisms, such as bacteria or fungi, without leaving harmful residues. This type of packaging is designed to decompose in the environment, helping to reduce waste in landfills and minimize pollution. Typically made from natural or plant-based materials like paper, cornstarch, or bioplastics, biodegradable packaging offers an eco-friendly alternative to traditional packaging by returning to nature without damaging the ecosystem.
As sustainability becomes a top priority for businesses and consumers alike, compostable and biodegradable packaging are now essential components of eco-friendly practices. With increasing regulations and growing consumer demand for environmentally responsible products, companies must adapt to greener packaging solutions to remain competitive and compliant. The shift toward sustainable packaging is no longer optional—it’s a necessity for businesses aiming to meet modern expectations.
At Brown Packaging, we specialize in providing tailored packaging solutions that not only meet industry standards but also promote environmental responsibility. From retail compliance to government regulations, we work closely with clients to create packaging that balances performance, sustainability, and innovation, ensuring your brand stays ahead in a rapidly evolving marketplace.
Recyclable, Biodegradable, and Compostable Packaging
As sustainability becomes a top priority for businesses and consumers alike, compostable and biodegradable packaging are now essential components of eco-friendly practices. With increasing regulations and growing consumer demand for environmentally responsible products, companies must adapt to greener packaging solutions to remain competitive and compliant. The shift toward sustainable packaging is no longer optional—it’s a necessity for businesses aiming to meet modern expectations.
At Brown Packaging, we specialize in providing tailored packaging solutions that not only meet industry standards but also promote environmental responsibility. From retail compliance to government regulations, we work closely with clients to create packaging that balances performance, sustainability, and innovation, ensuring your brand stays ahead in a rapidly evolving marketplace.
Our custom structural design services allow us to minimize material use without compromising protection. By optimizing the design for strength and efficiency, we help you reduce excess packaging and the environmental costs associated with waste. Smarter packaging design means a lower carbon footprint overall.
With CAPE software, we optimize pallet configurations to maximize space and load efficiency. This results in fewer trips and lower fuel usage during transportation, reducing your carbon footprint. By making the most of every pallet, we help you achieve more eco-friendly logistics.
We offer digital samples, eliminating the need for multiple physical prototypes, which reduces waste and energy use in production. By creating virtual models, we help you save resources while speeding up the design process. This eco-friendly approach helps minimize the carbon footprint of packaging development.
We focus on eco-friendly production processes that minimize waste and reduce energy consumption. By using sustainable materials and optimizing manufacturing efficiency, we help lower the carbon footprint of your packaging. This commitment to sustainable production ensures a smaller environmental impact from the start.
Our lightweight and efficient packaging solutions help reduce transportation emissions by maximizing space and minimizing weight. By designing packaging that is easy to transport, we help your business cut down on fuel consumption and overall shipping costs, contributing to a reduced carbon footprint.
We design packaging with durability and reusability in mind, extending the useful life of each product. By creating packaging that can be used multiple times before disposal or recycling, we help reduce waste and conserve resources, contributing to a smaller environmental footprint.
We prioritize sourcing materials from local suppliers to reduce transportation distances and emissions. By keeping production and distribution close to home, we help cut down on the environmental impact associated with long-distance shipping. Local sourcing ensures a more sustainable and efficient supply chain.
We offer packaging made from eco-friendly, recyclable, and biodegradable materials that reduce reliance on virgin resources. By using sustainable materials, we help decrease the carbon emissions associated with material extraction and production. This ensures that your packaging has a smaller environmental impact from the very start.
Interested In Sustainable Packaging Solutions?
Corrugated boxes lose a significant portion of their original compression strength during prolonged storage, especially under load. Understanding the mechanics of compression creep and the environmental factors at play allows packaging engineers to design boxes that maintain structural integrity throughout their intended shelf life. Why Compression Strength Declines Material Creep: Fibers gradually deform under constant load, reducing box stiffness. Humidity Impact: Elevated RH accelerates creep, with potential strength losses of 40–60% in humid conditions. Stacking Configuration: Poor pallet patterns or uneven weight distribution compound stress points. Testing and Standards ASTM D4577: Measures compressive creep over time in shipping containers. ASTM D642: Evaluates initial compression strength, serving as a baseline before long-term storage. Design Strategies to Reduce Loss Select Higher ECT Boards: Provides a stronger starting point, delaying the drop below critical load thresholds. Moisture Control: Use desiccants, ventilation, or moisture-barrier coatings in high-humidity warehouses. Pallet Pattern Optimization: Uniform stacking prevents concentrated stress on corner posts. Application Considerations Long-term storage in non-climate-controlled facilities should factor in 30–50% compression loss for safety margins. Double-wall or reinforced designs are advised for seasonal inventory stored for extended periods. References ASTM International. (2015). ASTM D4577-15: Standard test method for compressive creep of shipping containers. ASTM International. https://www.astm.org/d4577-15.htmlASTM International. (2015). ASTM D642-15: Standard test method for determining compressive resistance of shipping containers. ASTM International. https://www.astm.org/d0642-15.html (714)300-0650 request@brownpackaging.com Most Recent Posts: Subscribe To Our Newsletter By submitting your information, you agree to our terms and conditions and privacy policy. Custom Corrugated Boxes Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Relevant Posts
E-commerce exposes folding cartons to more handling points, longer transit times, and harsher mechanical stresses than traditional retail distribution. Designing for these conditions requires careful material selection, structural reinforcement, and testing to ensure the product arrives intact and presentable. Understanding E-Commerce Transit Hazards Small-parcel shipping subjects cartons to conditions outside typical retail supply chains: Multiple Sorting Touchpoints: Each transfer increases the risk of edge crush and panel denting. High Vibration: Long delivery routes and conveyor systems cause sustained shaking. Compression Loads: Cartons may be stacked under heavier mixed-weight items in transport. Environmental Variability: Temperature and humidity swings in delivery trucks and sorting centers. (ASTM D4169 simulates these hazards for performance testing.) Material Selection CUK (Coated Unbleached Kraft): Higher tear and puncture resistance, ideal for heavier or rigid products. High-Caliper SBS: Provides a smooth print surface while increasing crush resistance. Poly-Coated or Moisture-Barrier Boards: Essential for humid climates or cold-chain shipments. Tip: Avoid over-specifying — choose the lightest grade that meets drop, compression, and vibration requirements. Structural Reinforcements Full Seal End (FSE): Seals both ends for maximum tamper resistance and panel rigidity. Auto Bottom: Improves stacking strength while enabling faster manual packing. Reinforced Glue Flaps: Wider flaps or added tear-resistant tape in high-stress zones. Double-Panel Sides: Layering board at impact-prone edges to reduce corner crushing. Coatings and Finishes Scuff-Resistant Varnish: Maintains appearance after multiple handling points. Water-Resistant Coatings: Prevent fiber swelling from rain or condensation. Matte Finishes: Reduce visible wear compared to high gloss in transit. Testing and Validation Drop Tests: Simulate handling from waist height at multiple orientations. Vibration Testing: Identify structural weaknesses under sustained shaking (ASTM D4728). Compression Tests: Ensure cartons can withstand stacking in mixed-weight loads (TAPPI T804). Environmental Conditioning: Test under humidity and temperature extremes before market launch. Cost–Performance Balance Over-engineering increases per-unit cost and shipping weight. The most durable e-commerce cartons balance material and style to meet ISTA or ASTM testing requirements without exceeding budget targets. References ASTM International. (2016). ASTM D4169-16: Standard practice for performance testing of shipping containers and systems. ASTM International. https://doi.org/10.1520/D4169-16ASTM International. (2016). ASTM D4728-06(2016): Random vibration testing of shipping containers. ASTM International. https://doi.org/10.1520/D4728-06R16TAPPI. (2017). T 804: Compression test of fiberboard shipping containers. TAPPI Press.Soroka, W. (2014). Fundamentals of packaging technology (5th ed.). Institute of Packaging Professionals. ISBN: 978-1-930268-37-2Twede, D., & Goddard, R. (2021). Cartons, crates and corrugated board: Handbook of paper and wood packaging technology (2nd ed.). DEStech Publications. ISBN: 978-1-60595-120-5 (714)300-0650 request@brownpackaging.com Most Recent Posts: Categories: Corrugated Ecommerce ESD Design Display Flexible Packaging Foam Folding Carton Packaging Plastic Packaging Pouch Printing Protection Retail Rigid Box Thermoform Sustainability Subscribe To Our Newsletter By submitting your information, you agree to our terms and conditions and privacy policy. Folding Cartons Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Relevant Posts
The Edge Crush Test (ECT) is a critical performance metric for corrugated boxes, directly correlating to stacking strength and load-bearing capacity. In the high-stress world of e-commerce shipping, where packages face frequent handling, multi-stop routes, and varying climates, optimizing ECT values without over-engineering is essential for cost efficiency and product protection. Why ECT Matters in E-Commerce Stacking Strength: Determines how well boxes can withstand vertical loads in warehouse racking or trailer stacking. Material Efficiency: Allows engineers to achieve performance targets with lighter weight liners or mediums, reducing costs. Regulatory Alignment: Certain carriers and industry sectors specify minimum ECT ratings for compliance. Balancing ECT and Basis Weight ECT vs. Mullen Burst: ECT measures column strength; Mullen measures resistance to puncture/tearing. E-commerce often favors ECT for stacked pallet loads. Lightweighting Strategies: Use high-performance recycled fiber blends to maintain stiffness. Incorporate higher-grade outer liners for localized reinforcement. Design Variables That Influence ECT Flute Profile: B- and C-flutes offer different stiffness profiles. B-flute generally yields higher ECT for the same board weight. Adhesive Quality: Uniform glue lines prevent micro-buckling under compression. Moisture Resistance: High humidity can reduce ECT by up to 50%; moisture-resistant coatings help maintain performance. Testing and Standards ASTM D642: Measures box compression strength. TAPPI T839: Determines edgewise compressive strength of corrugated fiberboard using the clamp method. ISTA Series: Full-scale distribution simulation, including drop, vibration, and compression under varying conditions. Optimization in Practice Case Example: Switching from 44 ECT double-wall to 32 ECT single-wall with enhanced flute medium reduced material cost by 14% without increasing damage claims in a 90-day trial. Prototyping: Lab ECT data should be validated through route-specific field testing before large-scale rollout. ReferencesASTM International. (2015). ASTM D642-15: Standard test method for determining compressive resistance of shipping containers. ASTM International. https://www.astm.org/d0642-15.htmlTechnical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry. (2018). TAPPI T839 om-18: Edgewise compressive strength of corrugated fiberboard using the clamp method. TAPPI. https://www.tappi.org/content/store/shared/T839.htmlInternational Safe Transit Association. (2018). ISTA 6-Series transit tests. ISTA. https://ista.org/ (714)300-0650 request@brownpackaging.com Most Recent Posts: Categories: Corrugated Ecommerce ESD Design Display Flexible Packaging Foam Folding Carton Packaging Plastic Packaging Pouch Printing Protection Retail Rigid Box Thermoform Sustainability Subscribe To Our Newsletter By submitting your information, you agree to our terms and conditions and privacy policy. Custom Corrugated Boxes Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Relevant Posts