Close the Fibre Loop: Driving Circular Economy in Cardboard Packaging

In today’s dynamic packaging industry, sustainability is a necessity. Businesses and governments alike are embracing the circular economy, pushing for smarter, more eco-friendly ways to grow.

Let’s talk about something we all interact with daily: boxes. Those trusty cardboard containers protect our online orders, groceries, and favorite products as they make their way to us. But once they’ve done their job, what happens next? Do they get a second life, or are they simply tossed away? The truth is that, every box has the potential for more if we choose to make it happen.

What is the fibre loop?

Imagine a cardboard box’s journey that doesn't have to end in a landfill. Instead, it can live multiple lives, thanks to the fibre loop. This concept describes the continuous cycle of paper fibres from trees to packaging, then back into the system through circular economy strategies: recycling, remanufacturing, and reuse. When we close the loop, we keep fibres in circulation longer, reducing waste, conserving resources, and cutting down on the need of virgin materials.

Why does closing the loop matter?

Every time we recycle paper and cardboard, we:

  • Reduce landfill waste – Keeping boxes out of dumpsters extends their usefulness.
  • Cut carbon emissions – Recycling uses far less energy than making new materials.
  • Protect forests – Reusing fibres means fewer trees need to be harvested.
  • Meet consumer demand – Shoppers increasingly choose brands that prioritize sustainability

Across Australia, recycling paper and cardboard conserves significant energy, the Hard Recycle report (2024) states that recycling one tonne of paper saves approximately 4,000 kWh compared to virgin pulp. Besides, the Victorian Forest Products Association (VFPA) reported the state processed more than 1.11 million tonnes of recovered paper and cardboard in 2019-2020, noting fibres can be recycled up to eight times. The more we keep this loop going, the more sustainable our packaging becomes.

How is the industry closing the fibre loop?

The shift toward a circular economy is not just talk- it is action:

  • Responsible Sourcing: using recycled materials to ensure forests thrive while meeting demand.
  • Designing for Recyclability: keeping packaging simple, clean, and plastic free - no mixed materials that disrupt recycling. Avoiding laminations are coatings that make boxes harder to reprocess.
  • Collaboration and Education: working with brands, recyclers, and communities to improve collection and recycling rates. Helping consumers and businesses understand how small actions make a big difference.
  • Bigger than just a box: we see packaging as part of a system, not a single-use product. At Kebet Packaging, we believe every box should have more than one life.

 

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Circularity isn’t just a trend - it’s a mindset.

It starts with daily choices, from sourcing to design to disposal. By making sustainability the default, we’re ensuring that every cardboard box gets a second, third, or even eighth life.

How is your organization rethinking packaging for a circular future? Share your insights with us!