A World Without Cardboard

It’s no secret that online shopping has skyrocketed over the past two years. With storefronts closed and high streets desolate, those sequestered at home took to the internet in swathes for online shopping. As a result, we’ve not only built a collection of lockdown comfort purchases, but we’ve also collected a covert by-product of our prolific online activity: cardboard.

While the exact number is unknown, it’s suggested that UK homes are withholding as many as 135 million cardboard boxes. In fact, masses of Brits holding onto cardboard packaging rather than recycling and returning it to the supply chain have caused a national shortage and impacted many businesses.

What would a world without cardboard look like in a prolonged global cardboard shortage?

We calculated the quantity of cardboard used for different products to discover the benefits of cardboard packaging and how apocalyptic a world without cardboard would be.

131.2 billion parcels wouldn’t be received

From gadgets and the latest tech to toys, groceries and clothes, pretty much everything can be ordered online these days. In 2020, global parcel volumes increased a massive 27% to 131.2 billion.

• 55% (20.4 million) would be without new clothing, shoes and accessories.
• 32% (11.8 million) would have frequented supermarkets more regularly.
• 29% (10.7 million) would have been without new books and 24% (8.9 million) without new devices.

10 billion people would miss out on their favourite subscriptions

The £14 billion subscription box industry wouldn’t exist if it weren’t for cardboard. An estimated 88 million subscription boxes delivered annually in the UK would cease to exist.

138 million households would be unable to move home

In a total cardboard shortage, 1.2 million UK households would be unable to move every year, as we wouldn’t have the 39.6 million boxes required to move furnishings and possessions.

5 billion pizzas would go uneaten

The UK eats 26g of takeaway pizza per person per week. Without cardboard pizza boxes, a whopping 5 billion pizzas would go undelivered.

14 billion people would go barefoot

Our research suggests 14 billion pairs of shoes are bought every year, but not without cardboard.

23 million homes with missing furniture

As one of the sector’s market leaders, Ikea alone makes £35 billion in revenue per year.

Millions of loved ones would miss out on gifts

Without card and cardboard, we lose the ability to show affection towards loved ones in the form of cards and presents.

In a global cardboard shortage, wouldn’t we just use cardboard substitutes?

We already have cardboard substitutes in the form of plastic that’s currently clogging up our landfills and oceans.

• 4.6 billion extra plastic bags and plastic boxes for home movers
• 5 billion plastic pizza boxes
• 131.2 billion plastic bags and packages for home deliveries
• 14 billion plastic shoeboxes
• 39 million tonnes of extra plastic gift packaging

A new appreciation for the benefits of cardboard packaging

Next time you order a pizza, shop online or buy a pair of shoes, remember the important benefits of cardboard packaging.

Shop cardboard single wall boxes, double wall boxes, long postal boxes and other packaging supplies. Challenge Packaging offers sustainable postage solutions. Browse our range today.