What could be done with a cardboard box once you are done using it? Nothing, just throw it out or recycle it, is that what you do? If yes, then you are really missing out its hidden potential. Since long, Cardboard has been proven as one of the most flexible materials used to create products as wide-ranging as bicycles, helmets, buildings and of course as a packaging material.

Speaking of the packaging industry, cardboard and corrugated are the most popularly-used substrate. Most of you often tend to confuse between corrugated with cardboard, thinking they are referring to the same thing. Which is simply not true!

Let’s differentiate between corrugated and cardboard, first!

Both being paper packing materials, any professional in the packing industry including us can tell you there are distinct differences.

Cardboard refers to a thick paper stock or heavy paper-pulp which could be easily used to make greeting cards or playing cards, for example. It could also apply to the thin cardboard that is used to manufacture cereal boxes. While Corrugated is made of three layers of paper including an insider liner, an outsider liner, and fluting with a ruffled shape which successfully runs between the two. This substantially increases the durability, alleviating the worry that your belongings won’t be damaged while shipping.

Some of the major characteristics that make corrugated so attractive as a packing medium are:

  • Durability
  • Lightweight with a high strength to weight ratio
  • Provides for greater product protection
  • Cost-effective
  • Environmental friendly

Innovative Uses for Cardboard

Other than packing material, there are quite a few creative uses for cardboard boxes, and the following post will show best five of them.

  1. Cardboard bicycle

    Cardboard Bicycle
    Izhar Gafni, an Israeli inventor, and entrepreneur came up with the concept of a working cardboard bicycle prototype that’s mainly constructed from recycled cardboard. The product turns out to be quite promising in terms of price. The cardboard bike weighs in at around 20 pounds and can support nearly 250 pounds, with the material costs about $10.

  2. Kranium helmet

    Cardboard Helmet
    By now if you have decided to ride a cardboard bicycle then I am sure you will need a Kranium cardboard helmet, too. At first, you might find this cardboard-based bike helmet may appear borderline insane. But according to the maker, its unique looking honeycomb structure has the potential to absorb up to three times the impact energy of a standard helmet during a collision while remaining 15 percent lighter.

  3. Cardborigami shelter

    cardboard Shelter
    Tina Hovsepian, a Los Angeles-based designer started the Carborigami project in a bid simply to help mitigate some of the effects of homelessness by producing an improved temporary shelter. Inspired by the Japanese art of origami paper-folding, the shelter comes in two iterations: a large unit for several people, and a smaller single-person unit.

    Finished with a fire-retardant and water-resistant coating, the Cardborigami shelter can be folded for easier movements. In addition to the shelter, the designer also plans to set up an outreach center to help the homeless move into more suitable accommodation.

  4. KNÄPPA digital camera

    cardboard camera
    Being one of the most versatile product, cardboard can take place of metals or plastics. IKEA has always been looking around for new, fun ways to engage with their customers and their take on digital camera is no exception. “KNÄPPA” runs on two AA batteries, can take 40 images and features a swing-out USB connector to download pictures. Images can then be deleted from the camera by using a paperclip to press the delete button on the front for about five seconds. It shoots at 8 SPF (seconds per frame) and the results are decidedly lo-fi (2.3 megapixels)

    The zoom function on the IKEA KNÄPPA involves moving the camera. Pretty cool! The creator, Jesper Kouthoofd reveals that the eco-friendly, recyclable camera is made out of one piece of folded cardboard which is secured by two plastic screws. In fact, it may quite interest you to know that there is a combined on/off and shutter button on the front – holding it down for a few seconds turns the KNÄPPA on or off and a “firm click” takes a photo.

Hunter Industrial Supplies offers a wide array of packaging materials ranging from Adhesive tapes to protective packaging, corrugated cardboard rolls, washroom products, strapping and accessories and the list goes on.