Corrugated cardboard or fiberboard is a material made up of ridged and flat substances joined together to give it the required rigidity. It is mostly used in making packaging containers with a variety of use in different sectors of the economy. Apart from the storage of goods, corrugated cardboard has important uses like in artistic work, display boards, and gardening. It can also be used to make some forms of furniture (Fu & Jiang, 2014). There are several reasons why this material is preferred over others one of them being the benefit it has on the economic and environmental aspects. The manuscript focuses on the advantages of using corrugated cardboard in the packaging of fruits with focus on the economic, technical, and ecological benefits.
Economic Consideration
Cost-Effective
Corrugated cardboard is manufactured using some of the less expensive materials unlike other packaging methods like metal containers ( Dominic et al., 2015) . Another reason for being cost-effective is the less time that is used in designing and manufacturing them ( Dominic et al., 2015) . This guarantees the user of fewer costs in packaging and transporting fruits in different parts of the world. Having minimized such overheads, the trader is assured of high returns on his/her products unlike when using other packaging materials. Corrugated cardboard can also guarantee buyers of the lower price of fruits due to the less cost in acquiring those materials. This makes it the most recommendable container for storing and transporting fruits.
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Fruits Stay Fresh Longer
From various studies that have been carried out, fruits packaged in corrugated boxes tend to have a longer lifespan unlike other containers like plastic boxes ( Dominic et al., 2015) . This means that the fruits can be shipped for long distances arriving in their destination in good form for the customers. The reason for this durability is due to the technology used which reduces the rate of contamination by microbial factors. Another reason why fruits stored in corrugated cardboard packages stay fresh for long is due to its properties of preventing moisture accumulation ( Dominic et al., 2015) . It means that they will be free of rotting which is common in fresh produce. These properties allow the fruits to maintain their appearance, taste, and scent. When the fruits get to the customer in this condition, they will retain their market value and minimize loss as a result of rotting.
Great for Branding
The material used to manufacture corrugated cardboards allows better inscription of names and attractive colors without necessarily destroying it ( Dominic et al., 2015) . Branding is one of the strategies that are used to attract customers therefore having a packaging container that allows it without damaging the products inside in essentially suitable for fruits which can be easily damaged. The material used allows colors and pictures to stay on those containers for long without much tear. It also prevents contamination of fruits packed inside corrugated cardboard containers from substances used in branding, making them maintain their quality. The two advantages make them some of the most preferred containers in terms of storage and transportation.
Technical Consideration
Offer Maximum Protection
The technology and material used in manufacturing corrugated cardboards allow them to provide much protection to the fruits against internal and external damage. They are built with a strong and tough substance that can withstand much tear guaranteeing fruits more protection against external destruction during handling. The corrugation of the sheets provides a stable cushion from shocks that occur during transportation (Fu & Jiang, 2014). This is particularly more advantageous to juicy fruits as they will crush less preventing them from going bad before they can reach their destination. The material used in making corrugated cardboard containers also prevent the buildup of moisture and bacteria thus protecting fruits against agents that may cause rotting and contamination. With all these measures in place, the products will reach their destination in the required shape, quality, and taste.
Less Weight
Corrugated cardboard manufacturing employs one of the most efficient technologies that allow the containers to be as light as possible ( Dominic et al., 2015) . First, the materials used to make them are one of the lightest enabling easier assembling. Another technology applied is corrugation of the inside sheet where it is folded in flute-like design before being sandwiched by outer layers ( Dominic et al., 2015) . This makes the container stronger and at the same time weighing less. They are also strong enough to maintain their shape even after handling them for long time. This makes corrugated cardboards one of the most preferred containers to store and transport fruits as it minimizes damages that may come as a result of extended weight. Less weight also allows the stacking of many boxes together making fruits transportation cost-effective.
Flexibility
The material used and the technology employed allows corrugated cardboards to be designed in different sizes and shapes without losing their strength. Their walls can be single, two, or three depending on the user’s demand. Corrugated cardboards can also be designed in cubicle, cylindrical, or any shape depending on the user’s preference ( Dominic et al., 2015) . This is suitable for packaging fruits as they come in different shapes and sizes. This flexibility also allows the corrugated cardboard boxes to fit inside different containers allowing easier transportation.
Ecological Consideration
Biodegradable
As environmental pollution continues to be a major issue in manufacturing, there have been calls to make easily disposable containers without causing much damage. Governments and organizations have advised business people to use packaging materials that can cause minimal damage to plants and animals ( Chen, Zhang & Sun, 2011) . Corrugated cardboard is manufactured with this in mind as it can easily decompose after disposal. It is made up of carbon fiber material which gives an assurance of 70-100% decomposition within a shorter time as compared to other packaging containers ( Chen, Zhang & Sun, 2011) . Having these properties has allowed fruit processers to prefer corrugated cardboard for storage and transportation for easier disposal after use. Several conservationists have also advocated their use to prevent unnecessary pollution.
Easy to Recycle and Re-use
Corrugated cardboard packages are one of the most recycled containers thus helping in environmental conservation. After use in transporting fruits, they can be remanufactured instead of being disposed of and in turn saving dealers a significant cost of making new ones. It greatly prevents environmental pollution as the used containers can act as raw material for making new ones thus minimizing the amount of litter ( Chen, Zhang & Sun, 2011) . Corrugated cardboard containers are also made of strong and tough material allowing them to be used more than once in transporting fruits. Their recycle and re-use greatly help in conserving the environment by preventing unnecessary littering. Therefore many fruit dealers are opting to store and transport fruits using corrugated cardboard packages for the ecological benefit and cost reduction.
Corrugated cardboards have immense contributions in the storage and transportation of fruits. Many dealers prefer it over other packaging materials due to the many economic, technical, and ecological benefits they derive. The economic advantages of using corrugated cardboard containers in handling fruits include cost efficiency, offering better branding, and keeping them fresh for long. On the technical side, they are lighter, flexible, and offer maximum protection. The ecological benefits of corrugated cardboard are its biodegradable nature, easy to recycle, and reuse. Other characteristics that make it suitable for packaging fruits include ease of customization and sustainability.
References
Chen, J., Zhang, Y. L., & Sun, J. (2011). An overview of the reducing principle of design of corrugated box used in goods packaging. Procedia Environmental Sciences , 10 , 992-998.
Dominic, C. A., Östlund, S., Buffington, J., & Masoud, M. M. (2015). Towards a conceptual sustainable packaging development model: a corrugated box case study. Packaging Technology and Science , 28 (5), 397-413.
Fu, C. Y., & Jiang, D. S. (2014). Highly elastic corrugated cardboard and its experimental study on strength properties. Applied Mechanics and Materials. https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.469.217
