Paperboard itself is made from a renewable resource, but converters need to focus on the whole package.

By Missy Smith

So, in the meantime, it seems as though package printers will have to be creative in convincing consumers to purchase attractively packaged products that are also environmentally friendly. “Design and graphics are important,” says Ralph Young, technical advisor, AICC. “We just keep presenting multiple packaging options to our customers and the retail establishments.” In addition, he says that the AICC looks at every angle of the production process to hone in on a completely sustainable process. “We never sleep,” Young says. “We are redesigning individual boxes, improving the cube of shippers, placing more boxes on a pallet, reducing energy consumption, looking toward wind power and biomass fuels, reducing the costs of transportation, using hybrid cars, center lining our combining and converting operations, reducing fiber, hiring more designers, sharing best practices among the members, listening to the customers, and responding quickly.”