Sustainability
stewarding a renewable natural resource
Choosing paper is good for the environment and for business.
Contrary to myth, using paper in the United States actually helps its forests flourish. Paper is made from a renewable resource, responsibly managed in partnership with private landowners to keep their forests healthy and thriving. Learn why choosing paper can help your company be a force for nature.
Recycling in Motion
Our comprehensive and sophisticated system of recovery is ever-growing and advancing.
The paper and paper-based packaging industry is committed to getting more fiber back to make more paper. Recycling is key to this efficient sustainability cycle.
With a $5 billion investment in recycling infrastructure through 2024, the paper and paper-based packaging industry is focused on increasing fiber recovery by capturing more boxes and transforming them into new products.
Award winning commitment
As recent recipients of the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber’s Tahoma Environmental Award, Pacific Box has shown a tireless effort towards sustainable practices. This annual honor recognizes a Pierce County business for their environmental, preservation and protection accomplishments.
Natural Resources
Made economically from a renewable, recyclable resource, corrugated boxes contain a high percentage of post-consumer recycled content. The finished product, depending on customer specifications, can have up to 65% recycled content.
Raw Materials
Our primary raw material is paper. Most of our paper vendors are SFI® (Sustainable Forestry Initiative®) certified mills. SFI is a comprehensive, independent certification program that works with environmental, social and industry partners to improve forest practices in North America and fiber sourcing worldwide.
Waste
We recycle approximately 750 tons per month of paper, which is returned to the paper mill where it is re-pulped and converted back into a roll of paper. Paper is comprised mostly of fiber and the fiber can be re-pulped several times before it is too small to be used in the paper making process.
Corrugated is the most recycled form of packaging today with 68% of all containers produced being recovered for recycling. Over 60% of the recovered corrugated is used to produce new containerboard.
Energy
We reduced kilowatt (kWh) consumption by partnering with our utility company to reduce high bay lights with fluorescent fixtures; this represents a 30% energy reduction as it pertains to lighting. In addition, motion sensors connected to lighting are also utilized in the plant to reduce consumption. We also invested in soft start controls on our electrical motors, which reduces peak consumption and translates to overall savings 1% – 1.5% of our energy usage.
Waste Stream
Our Wastewater Treatment Systems are capable of processing up to 4,000 gallons of water per day. All wastewater generated is recycled through our manufacturing process, evaporated, or processed through our state-of-the-art Treatment Systems. We reclaim approximately 125 gallons of ink per month that would typically be discarded by recycling it as a base product in our onsite ink kitchen. Any wastewater that goes to our Treatment Systems is processed into a harmless, biodegradable cake and safe for the landfill.
Air and Climate
Pacific Box meets or exceeds all clean air standards in the State of Washington.
Products and
Packaging
Our product is shipped on a wooden pallet and is protected by a recyclable top and bottom corrugated sheet. All plastic strapping used in the process can be collected and sent to the supplier for recycling and reuse.
Transportation
Our recently built 63,000-foot addition has allowed us to consolidate all our raw material into one location. This will reduce 756 currently required truck shipments per year or 33,264 miles traveled each year.
Source Reduction
We focus our structural designs to provide the most efficient use of material. This reduces the pre-consumer waste, post-consumer material, and overall cost of the packaging.
Contact us
Thank you for considering Pacific Box for your custom packaging and display solutions. We’re looking forward to learning more about your project needs.
