Avoid Tax with Packaging Re-design
April 2022 will see the introduction of the UK Government’s Plastic Packaging Tax. What can companies do over the next 12 months to avoid these unnecessary costs? The volume of plastic being produced across the world is causing major waste issues. It is seriously impacting our environment. Although some plastics can be recycled, the vast […]
Switch to Cardboard Packaging
A sense of social and environmental responsibility is driving consumers and brands towards sustainable packaging solutions. As a familiar, robust yet lightweight material, cardboard is the obvious alternative to plastic. Ticking all the sustainability boxes, cardboard packaging is formed from recycled and renewable materials, which can be reused and recycled. Brands Opting for Cardboard Packaging […]
Reducing Plastic Packaging: Who is Responsible?
We all know that the excessive use of plastic packaging poses a significant problem. Our rivers, seas, beaches and countryside are being filled with non-biodegradable packaging. Greater action needs to be taken, but who is responsible? Is it down to Government policymakers, manufacturers, retailers or shoppers to reduce the consumption of plastic packaging? Government Policy […]
Packaging Design Review 2021
Brexit rules, Covid-19 restrictions and rapid shifts in customer behaviours; as a business owner, it can feel as though you have no control over anything. As an e-commerce business, the design of your product packaging and shipping boxes is something that you can take control of. This article aims to help you to review your […]
Tuck into Takeaway Boxes
In December 2020, the remains of a Roman street food vendor was fully uncovered in Pompeii. Known as a thermopolium, this decorated food stall included holes where large pots of food would have been held. The discovery included a bronze ladle, food containers (known as amphorae) and the fragments of duck, goat, fish and snail. […]
Gift Packages for Loyal Friends
This year has certainly helped us all to appreciate who and what is important. Good health and great company make it easier to deal with all of life’s challenges. A gift package can be the perfect way to show appreciation to those who have been there for us. Who deserves to receive a token of […]
All Eyes on Cosmetic Packaging
The beauty industry has long relied on plastic packaging. All of those little pots, tubes and containers create considerable packaging waste, but things are changing. A greater understanding of the environmental impact and shift in consumer habits has prompted fresh thinking. Leading brands are now making it easier for us to recycle empty cosmetic packaging […]
Packaging ‘Villain’ is Changing its Ways
In the world of sustainable packaging, there is something worse than single-use plastic bottles. Although they are a serious cause for concern and they are having a negative environmental impact, plastic bottles can be recycled. This is not always the case for packaging that is formed from multiple materials. Described by The Recycling Association as […]
Promoting Sustainability during Second Hand September
Aylesbury Box Company is passionate about sustainability and the circular economy. With a focus on continous improvements, we have made considerable changes to our operations to minimise energy use and waste. We produce cardboard boxes which are made from predominantly or 100% recycled fibres. Sustainability packaging has been a hot topic for many years and […]
Covid-19 Shifts Food Packaging Priorities
Over the last decade, consumer pressure and global targets have positioned environmental packaging as a priority for many food brands. To minimise packaging waste, supermarkets and other retailers have introduced refill schemes and a greater range of unpackaged products. Where protection is necessary, there has been a shift away from plastic towards sustainable packaging options […]
Packaging Preferences 2020
The European Packaging Preferences 2020 Study gathered responses from 5,900 consumers in 9 countries. What were their perceptions and preferences regarding the different packaging materials? How does this influence buying decisions? The study revealed that cardboard was the packaging material that won the consumer vote. They identified that it was: Recyclable Lightweight Low Cost Easy […]
Eco-friendly Fashion Packaging
The polybag is the staple packaging in the fashion industry. Billions of these plastic bags keep clothing clean in transit. This generates a lot of waste. According to an article on packaging waste, only around 15% of the polybags produced are collected for recycling, the rest are contributing to the plastic problem. As the fashion […]
Avoid Packaging Empty Space!
Packaging is essential for society, yet it is one of the visible signs of our wasteful society. It is essential to find ways in which the economy can grow without increasing environmental damage. This was the over-arching message that was shared in Unwrapping the Future of Sustainable Packaging – a Politico event in collaboration with […]
Delivering Sustainable Packaging Solutions
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. This simple concept has had a significant impact on the packaging industry over the last decade. As specialists in the design, manufacture and print of cardboard packaging, Aylesbury Box Company is passionate about supporting our customers to achieve their sustainable packaging goals. Rather than simply supplying boxes, we take time to understand […]
Slimline Packaging for Letterbox Deliveries
We’ve just heard about a radical idea – slimline wine bottles that can be posted through a letterbox! It has got us thinking about slimline packaging and why it should be a point for consideration when you rethink your packaging design. A Fresh Approach to Packaging Wine The wine bottle is one packaging design that […]
Restricted Travel for Packaging Waste
Many of us have had to cancel holidays, business trips and family visits. Plans have changed with immediate effect and we’ve had to adapt. We need to rethink how we undertake everyday activities. This sudden change also occurred in the waste management industry. For several decades, much of Europe’s recyclable waste was sent to China. […]
Sustainable Packaging Design
If there was one message to come out of this year’s Packaging Innovations exhibition, it is that the appetite for sustainable packaging is stronger than ever. Consumers and retailers are actively seeking out brands which demonstrate a commitment to reducing the environmental impact of consumerism. Not so long ago, bigger was better when it came […]
Protecting the Seas
As the movement of people is restricted around the world, there is one clear advantage. The environment is less polluted. There are already images of lakes, rivers and canals transforming from cloudy brown to clear. Our seas, which have felt the brunt of human activity now have a rest bite; an opportunity for sealife to […]
How to Avoid Plastic Bags
When leading toy distributor, John Crane Ltd closed down after 120 years in the industry, one of its former team stepped in. Jonathan Thorpe had a proven track record, having formerly been the MD, then President of Playmobil USA. Jonathan wanted to continue the distribution of several leading toy brands which had been under the […]
Celebrating Companies that Think Outside the Box
Gerard® Roofing Tiles Across the UK, roof tiles have typically been made from terracotta, slate or concrete, but is there another way to crown our homes? Gerard Roofing Systems have proven there is. How did WWII RAF hangers provide the inspiration for a new roofing system? During wartime, RAF hangers were erected across the country […]
Sustainable Packaging in the Supply Chain
We all know that large supermarkets have considerable power. The decisions they make determine what food and products we have access to, and at what prices. For many farmers and factories, being on the supermarket’s supply chain is what keeps them in business. Changing consumer behaviour and global awareness of environmental impact is having a […]
Cardboard Tubes and Alternative Options
At Aylesbury Box Company, we supply cardboard tubes. This cylindrical packaging solution can be ideal for presenting and sending a range of products including: Paper documents such as posters and maps Clothing (rolling can reduce creases and be more compact than folding) Drinks Bottles – particularly popular for luxury alcoholic drinks Cosmetic products – perfumes […]
Sustainable Packaging for Ethical Shoppers
To kickstart the New Year, Coop announced that they are bringing forward their commitment to using 100% recyclable packaging for their own brand goods. Initially, the supermarket pledged to achieve this goal by 2023. They now intend to lead the pack by reaching the milestone this summer. As part of the research for this move, […]
The Circular Economy Involves More than Recycling
We applaud the achievements of the recycling award winners that were announced in our previous blog on paper recycling. Having celebrated their success, it is important to remember that recycling is simply one element of the circular economy. Designers, manufacturers, retailers and consumers need to be proactive at every stage of the process. We all […]
Paper Recycling Award Winners
To preserve and protect natural resources we need two major opportunities. Firstly, the tools to raise awareness around the globe. Secondly, innovation to improve processes, so that waste is minimised. Back in 2000, there was a European Declaration on paper recycling. It stated that by 2020, 74% of all paper products would be recycled. With […]
Recycled Cardboard and the Olympic Games
As one of the world’s most significant sporting events, the Olympic and Paralympic Games hit the global spotlight every 4 years. Back in 2012, London made a commitment to host ‘the greenest games’. Eight years on and Tokyo is taking things to another level. The media has picked up on the use of recycled cardboard […]
Merry Christmas!
To our Customers, Suppliers and Team! 2019 has been another exciting year of developments at Aylesbury Box Company and we want to thank everyone who has helped us take the company from strength to strength. Striving for Continuous Improvement More than a packaging supplier, we take pride in building good relationships with our customers. We […]
Who is Responsible for Recycling Packaging?
We all know that radical changes are needed in order to improve the environmental conditions of our planet. The trouble is identifying who should take responsibility for action. As a business owner, you may see it as your responsibility to switch from plastic to cardboard packaging. You may even provide clear labelling aimed at encouraging […]
How can we Encourage Consumers to Recycle Packaging?
Anyone involved in marketing is well-aware of how product packaging, colours and imagery, price and position on the shelf can influence buyer behaviour. Subtle tweaks to a message or a change in font can be all it takes to make your product more desirable. We’ve been considering how psychology could be applied in a similar […]
Gearing up for Sustainable Packaging
For years, many companies have relied on polystyrene as a means of holding their items securely in place within a shipping carton. Whether a solid block or loose-fill chips, this filler material was placed in boxes to help protect goods in transit. The issue is that polystyrene breaks up into small balls. These are difficult […]
