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?
Shifting packaging production from China to the U.S. can help stabilize costs, reduce tariff exposure, and shorten lead times. But the transition process requires careful planning. For packaging buyers, the key is to maintain product consistency and supply reliability while minimizing operational disruption. Why Buyers Are Moving Away from China Trade policy volatility and freight instability have pushed many U.S. companies to rethink their packaging sourcing strategy. Rising import duties on corrugated boxes, folding cartons, and flexible films have narrowed the price gap between overseas and domestic suppliers. Primary drivers include: Tariff risk: Section 301 duties on many packaging materials remain in place. Freight volatility: Ocean container rates fluctuate significantly, adding uncertainty. Lead times: Global shipping delays and port congestion disrupt timelines. Quality oversight: Longer supply chains make corrective actions harder to implement. As a result, many buyers are transitioning to U.S. packaging suppliers for improved cost control, compliance, and visibility. Step 1: Evaluate Current Exposure Start by identifying which SKUs, materials, or vendors are tied to China. Document: Country of origin for all packaging components. Annual spend and volumes by supplier. Tariff classification (HTS code) for each SKU. Freight, duty, and logistics costs per shipment. This baseline allows you to calculate your total landed cost, not just unit pricing, and shows where domestic sourcing offers the biggest impact. Step 2: Identify Viable U.S. Suppliers Work with suppliers that can deliver both structural and graphic packaging capabilities within the U.S. Confirm: Available converting and printing processes (flexo, litho-lam, digital). Access to sustainable materials (FSC-certified, post-consumer recycled). Proximity to fulfillment centers or distribution hubs. Experience transitioning overseas programs without downtime. Brown Packaging partners with domestic manufacturers across the U.S. to meet these standards and ensure full program continuity. Step 3: Test and Validate Packaging Before committing to a full rollout, pilot your packaging with a short production run to confirm performance. Match material specs to existing overseas designs. Validate durability under ISTA and ASTM transport testing. Review print registration, color, and finish consistency. Confirm pallet optimization and packing line compatibility. Testing ensures a seamless switch without affecting retail presentation or customer experience. Step 4: Adjust Forecasting and Lead Times Domestic production typically reduces lead times from months to weeks, but requires tighter inventory planning. Build in short buffer windows for material procurement. Align forecasts with your new supplier’s production cadence. Recalculate safety stock based on faster replenishment cycles. This shift improves responsiveness and reduces warehouse carrying costs over time. Step 5: Communicate Internally and Externally Transitioning packaging affects purchasing, logistics, marketing, and compliance teams. Update specifications and vendor databases. Revise packaging artwork to include “Made in USA” where appropriate. Inform key customers of improvements to delivery and reliability. Transparency helps ensure all departments adapt smoothly and maintain consistent packaging performance. Why It Matters for Buyers Transitioning from China to U.S. packaging is a strategic move toward long-term cost stability and supply chain control. Beyond tariff avoidance, it allows for stronger oversight, sustainable sourcing, and improved customer satisfaction. Brown Packaging supports this process by helping businesses identify high-risk imports, match U.S. equivalents, and test performance before scaling.Contact us to start evaluating your packaging transition plan. References Packaging Dive. (2025). Tariffs Continue to Reshape U.S. Packaging Sourcing Strategies. U.S. International Trade Commission. (2025). Section 301 Duty Updates on Packaging Materials. ASTM International. (2023). ASTM D4169: Performance Testing of Shipping Containers. ISTA. (2023). Testing Procedures for Transport Packaging. Fibre Box Association. (2024). Corrugated Packaging Handbook. (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 Packaging Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Relevant Posts
RSC boxes are known for their efficiency and versatility, but their performance ultimately comes down to strength. Buyers often see numbers like ECT, BCT, and burst strength on specifications — but which tests matter most, and what do they actually measure? Choosing the right RSC depends on understanding how these tests translate to real-world shipping conditions. Edge Crush Test (ECT) What It Measures Resistance of corrugated board to edgewise compressive forces. Expressed in pounds per inch (e.g., 32 ECT). Why It Matters Directly tied to stacking strength and pallet performance. The most common metric used in North America for corrugated box strength. Limitations Only measures board strength, not the full box. Doesn’t account for humidity, handling abuse, or long-term compression. Box Compression Test (BCT) What It Measures Maximum load a finished box can withstand before collapsing. Accounts for box size, design, and board strength. Why It Matters Most accurate predictor of how an RSC will perform in stacking and pallet loads. Useful for optimizing board grades to reduce cost without risking damage. Limitations Requires lab testing of actual boxes. Not always practical for small-volume or custom runs. Burst Strength (Mullen Test) What It Measures Pressure required to rupture corrugated board by puncture. Historically the go-to test before ECT became standard. Why It Matters Still relevant for industries where puncture or tearing is a higher risk than compression (e.g., heavy parts, bulk industrial goods). Limitations Doesn’t reflect stacking strength. Often replaced by ECT in modern logistics. Translating Tests to Real-World Performance High-Volume E-Commerce: ECT rating is usually the key metric, especially for stacking in warehouses. Heavy Industrial Products: Burst strength may be more relevant if products are sharp or heavy. Palletized Loads: BCT is the best indicator, as it measures box and board performance together. Moisture & Humidity: None of the above tests fully account for water absorption — additional treatments or coatings may be necessary. Buyer Takeaway Look for ECT when evaluating basic strength requirements. Prioritize BCT if your shipments are palletized or stacked in warehouses. Consider burst strength if your products are heavy, sharp, or prone to puncture risks. Remember: lab tests are only part of the story — real-world conditions like humidity, handling, and long-term storage will also affect performance. References Fibre Box Association. (2023). Box Performance Standards. https://www.fibrebox.org TAPPI. (2024). Testing Methods for Corrugated Packaging. https://www.tappi.org Soroka, W. (2016). Fundamentals of Packaging Technology (5th ed.). Institute of Packaging Professionals. (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. Regular Slotted Container Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Relevant Posts
In packaging, foam isn’t just about initial protection — it’s about maintaining performance over the entire shipping or storage cycle. Compression set and recovery characteristics determine whether foam continues to provide shock absorption after being loaded, stacked, or stored for long periods. What Is Compression Set? Definition: The permanent deformation a foam retains after being compressed for a defined time and temperature. Why It Matters: A foam that takes a high compression set loses thickness and cushioning capability, leaving products more vulnerable to impact damage. Typical Measurement: Reported as a percentage loss of original thickness after the load is removed. Recovery Rate and Load Retention Recovery Rate: How quickly foam returns to its original dimensions after load removal. Load Retention: The ability to maintain performance over repeated load cycles — crucial for returnable and reusable packaging. High recovery and load retention mean the foam can be used multiple times without replacement. Factors Affecting Compression Set Foam Chemistry: Crosslinked PE typically offers lower compression set than non-crosslinked. PU foams may be softer but often exhibit higher permanent deformation under load. Density: Higher-density foams resist deformation better but may be heavier and costlier. Environmental Conditions: Heat and humidity accelerate compression set in most foam materials. Testing and Standards ASTM D3574 Test D: Measures compression set under specified load and temperature. ASTM D3574 Test B1/B2: Evaluates indentation force deflection for load-bearing properties. ASTM D1055: For rubber-like cellular materials, often applicable to certain elastomeric foams. Design Strategies Load Distribution: Use ribbed or contoured inserts to spread weight across more surface area. Material Blends: Combining foams with different recovery characteristics can balance softness and durability. Replace on Schedule: In closed-loop systems, track cycle counts and replace foam before performance degradation risks product safety. References ASTM International. (2021). ASTM D3574-21: Standard test methods for flexible cellular materials—Slab, bonded, and molded urethane foams. ASTM International. https://www.astm.org/d3574-21.htmlASTM International. (2014). ASTM D1055-14: Standard specification for rubber cellular sheeting—Closed cell. ASTM International. https://www.astm.org/d1055-14.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 Foam Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Relevant Posts