Boxed Water's Ocean Impact: Less Pollution, More Solutions

Ocean pollution is a critical issue that poses a serious threat to marine life, human health, and the global economy. With oceans covering over 70% of the Earth's surface and holding 97% of the world's water, maintaining clean water is essential for the health of our planet. Oceans play a crucial role in regulating the Earth's climate by absorbing carbon dioxide and heat, but polluted oceans can lead to dead zones with low oxygen levels, making it impossible for marine life to survive. To address ocean pollution, it is necessary to understand the sources, which can be point source or non-point source, and implement data-driven strategies that target priority pollution sources. Consumers play a significant role in ocean pollution, with everyday activities contributing to oil and plastic pollution in our seas. While organizations like The Ocean Cleanup are working to remove plastic from the oceans, it is crucial to focus on prevention by reducing the use of single-use plastics, properly disposing of waste, and adopting sustainable practices.

Boxed water is packaged in cartons, not plastic bottles

Boxed water is a sustainable alternative to plastic bottled water. The cartons are made from paper sourced from sustainable, well-managed forests, with a bioplastic cap. The cartons are 92% plant-based, BPA-free, and 100% recyclable.

The benefits of boxed water over plastic bottles are twofold: firstly, the cartons are made from renewable resources, while plastic is not; and secondly, more cartons can be transported in bulk, reducing transportation emissions. The boxed water cartons are also refillable, reducing the amount of waste that ends up in landfills and the ocean.

While the caps of the cartons are made from plastic, this is a small amount compared to the plastic used in a traditional water bottle. The plastic used in the caps is bioplastic, made from plant-based resources such as sugarcane, corn, soy, and switchgrass. This plant-based plastic is fully functional and has a much lower environmental impact than traditional plastic.

However, it is important to note that the aluminium in the cartons is sourced through bauxite strip mining, which is environmentally destructive, and paper production is extremely carbon-intensive. Additionally, not all recycling facilities are equipped to process cartons, as they are made of mixed materials. As a result, some people may not have access to carton recycling and may need to opt for plastic bottles instead to avoid issues with tap water quality.

Overall, boxed water is a more sustainable option than plastic bottled water, especially when carton recycling is available. By choosing boxed water, consumers can help reduce plastic pollution in the ocean and keep plastic out of landfills.

Cartons are made from 76% paper, a renewable resource

Cartons, or cardboard boxes, are made from 76% paper, a renewable resource. Paper products are derived from trees, and the paper industry uses every part of the tree to create sustainable products. In addition to being made from renewable resources, cardboard is one of the most recycled materials in the US, with a 71-76% recycling rate in 2023.

The use of cartons, or cardboard boxes, can help to reduce ocean pollution. Oceans are filled with plastic, chemicals, waste, and other pollutants, and cardboard provides a more environmentally friendly alternative to plastic packaging. The high recyclability of cardboard means that less waste ends up in landfills and oceans.

The production of cartons also contributes to the reduction of ocean pollution. The paper industry, which includes carton manufacturers, has made significant strides in sustainability. AF&PA member companies, for example, have improved their energy efficiency by more than 13% since 2005, largely due to the increased use of renewable energy sources.

Additionally, the paper industry has committed to sustainable forest management and responsible sourcing of wood from well-managed forests. This ensures that the renewable resources used to create cartons are replenished and that the ecosystem of the forest is protected.

By choosing cartons over plastic packaging, consumers can help reduce ocean pollution. Cartons are made from renewable resources, are highly recyclable, and are produced by an industry committed to sustainability. This combination of factors makes cartons a more environmentally friendly option, helping to reduce the amount of plastic and waste that ends up in our oceans.

Plant-based plastic and aluminium are also used in cartons

Cartons are usually made of a combination of packaging board coated with a plastic layer of polyethylene (PE). The board gives maximum strength for a minimum of weight, and the coating makes the carton waterproof. However, some companies are now using plant-based plastic and aluminium in their cartons to be more environmentally friendly.

Plant-based plastics are derived from plant-based molecules, such as corn, starch, seaweed, sugarcane, tree-pulp, bamboo fibre, and more. They can be created using agricultural waste or scraps and reduce our dependence on petroleum, which currently requires about 8% of the world's oil resources. Plants such as sugarcane, soy, and switchgrass can be converted to plastic with a reduced carbon footprint compared to traditional sources. Sugarcane, for example, absorbs CO2 from the air and regrows every year after being harvested.

One company, JUST Water, uses cartons that are 54% paper, with a sugarcane cap and shoulder. They found that, despite paper making up the majority of the package, it only contributes 20% of the carton's CO2 impact. JUST Water also uses a thin layer of aluminium to protect the beverages from the outside world. Aluminium is an excellent barrier for oxygen and light, and it is infinitely recyclable, whereas plastic degrades after being reused six or seven times.

Other companies, such as Tetra Pak, Elopak, and SIG Combibloc, have also developed cartons that are 100% bio-based. SIG's aseptic Signature Pack contains a special polyamide (PA) polymer barrier as a replacement for aluminium. While these 100% bio-based containers have a modest market share, consumers are increasingly demanding environmentally-friendly products and packaging.

Cartons are hard to recycle due to mixed materials

While recycling is generally beneficial for the environment, certain products are notoriously difficult to recycle due to their mixed-material composition. Cartons, for instance, often consist of multiple materials, such as a cardboard container with a plastic liner. This presents a challenge because recycling requires isolating pure materials for effective processing and reuse.

The difficulty in recycling cartons lies in the fact that different materials must be separated before they can be recycled. In the case of cartons, separating the cardboard from the plastic liner can be complex and costly. While some consumers might attempt to separate these materials before disposal, many simply throw the entire carton into the recycling bin, assuming it will be recycled appropriately. Unfortunately, this often leads to contamination and further challenges for recycling facilities.

To understand the impact of cartons on ocean pollution, it is essential to recognize the broader context of waste management and recycling practices. Ocean pollution is a pressing environmental issue, with our rivers, reservoirs, lakes, and seas inundated with chemicals, waste, plastic, and other pollutants. One of the significant contributors to ocean pollution is plastic waste, which persists for decades and degrades into microplastics that can be ingested by marine wildlife and eventually enter the human food chain.

Cartons, when not recycled properly, contribute to this plastic pollution in our oceans. The plastic components of cartons, if not separated and recycled correctly, can find their way into marine environments. Additionally, the production of cartons may involve the use of toxic chemicals, which, if not disposed of properly, can also pollute our oceans. Therefore, the difficulty in recycling cartons due to their mixed-material composition indirectly contributes to ocean pollution.

To address this issue, it is crucial to advocate for better waste management practices and support initiatives that promote sustainable packaging solutions. Consumers can play a vital role by reducing their consumption of products packaged in mixed-material cartons, opting for more environmentally friendly alternatives, and properly disposing of waste to minimize the flow of pollutants into our oceans. By tackling these issues at their source, we can make a significant step toward mitigating ocean pollution and protecting our marine ecosystems.

Single-use cartons are wasteful and unnecessary

Single-use cartons are a significant contributor to the waste that ends up in our oceans. The plastic pollution created by single-use plastic packaging is a growing global problem, and the search for sustainable alternatives is more urgent than ever. Single-use cartons are wasteful and unnecessary for several reasons.

Firstly, single-use cartons are often discarded after just one use, leading to pollution and resource depletion. The production of plastic cartons also requires substantial amounts of fossil fuels, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions. By contrast, paperboard cartons are made from recycled wood pulp, with the same wood fibres used up to 10 times in various forms over their useful life. This conserves natural resources, reduces energy consumption, and lowers greenhouse gas emissions.

Secondly, single-use cartons are not always locally produced, and international shipping is often required, adding to their carbon footprint. In areas without proper composting and recycling facilities, cartons end up in landfills, contributing to waste. Paperboard cartons, on the other hand, are recyclable, and according to the Environmental Protection Agency, 68% of all paper and paperboard is recycled in the US each year.

Thirdly, single-use cartons can be replaced by reusable and washable alternatives, which reduce waste and offer a healthier, more sustainable option. For instance, Millstone Farm in Canada has introduced a reusable egg carton program, allowing shoppers to bring home farm-fresh eggs without the waste of single-use cartons.

Finally, single-use cartons contribute to overpackaging, resulting in the wasteful use of resources, increased transportation costs, and unnecessary product bulk. Minimalist packaging designs and refillable or package-free alternatives can reduce packaging waste and promote sustainability.

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