During the festive period, numerous presents are being sent worldwide, resulting in a significant amount of waste. This waste consists of cardboard boxes and plastic-based foam cushioning, like Styrofoam. However, instead of simply getting rid of these boxes, a team of researchers published a study. They discovered a cushioning foam made from recycled cardboard waste. This made it clear that sustainable foam and cardboard waste can revolutionize packaging materials. Surprisingly, this upcycled material proved to be even more durable and insulating than the conventional plastic foam-based cushioning.
Cardboard is recycled into an eco-friendly cushioning foam that provides a superior and more insulating option for packaging materials. This innovative solution offers a sustainable alternative for the shipping industry. A group of researchers at Beijing Forestry University are trying to find a simpler way to make wastepaper-based foam. Their aim is to make the new product durable enough to withstand the roughest deliveries conditions.
One of the most common types of trash found in homes is wastepaper. It includes items such as cardboard boxes, junk mail, newspapers, and paperboard envelopes. With the rise of internet shopping, these materials tend to accumulate in large quantities. Presently, toys and electronics are packed tightly inside a box to keep them safe instead of cardboard waste and sustainable foam for packaging.
Commonly, styrofoam, which is a molded cushioning material, is placed in the box. Instead of this, a sustainable lightweight alternative like cellulose aerogels could be used. But methods used to make these aerogels from wastepaper are very complex. Several chemical pre-treatments steps are to be done before the conversion takes place. Researchers are currently exploring ways to transform this waste into practical and lightweight mailing materials that are both sturdy and useful.
Better Protection with Improvised and Innovative Cardboard Foam: The Process
To produce sustainable packaging materials from cardboard waste and foam, the team shredded cardboard scraps in a blender to create a pulp. Then it was combined with either gelatin or polyvinyl acetate (PVA) glue. The resulting mixtures were poured into molds, refrigerated, and freeze-dried to produce resilient foams.
Both paper-based foams offer excellent thermal insulation and show remarkable energy absorption capabilities. They even have displayed qualities to outperform certain plastic foams. The team has created a strong version of their paper waste foam. They blended pulp, gelatin, PVA glue, and a silica-based liquid that solidifies under pressure. This type of foam made from cardboard was able to withstand hammer impacts without breaking. This means that the foam could potentially be used for deliveries that require a lot of force, like parachute-free airdrops.
According to the researchers, this study presents a straightforward yet highly effective approach to repurpose cardboard. They have already concluded that sustainable foam and cardboard waste can revolutionize packaging materials. This approach can prove to be effective in producing eco-friendly packaging materials.
Source: Biodegradable Wastepaper-Based Foam with Ultrahigh Energy-Absorbing
