In the previous post, we looked at why sustainability is more than a simple choice between paper and plastic. Material matters, but it is only one part of the picture.

A sustainable packaging decision should also consider how the package performs, how it moves through the supply chain, and what happens after use.

Performance Is a Sustainability Metric

One of the most overlooked sustainability factors is performance.

A package that fails is not sustainable. If a box tears, a handle breaks, a display collapses, or contents shift during transit, the result may be product damage, rework, returns, replacement shipments, extra labor, and additional material waste.

That is why packaging components matter.

Handles, clips, hangers, hand hole protectors, support plates, fasteners, and closure systems are not just small accessories. They help packaging work better throughout the product journey.

The right component can help:

• Improve ergonomics
• Protect structural integrity
• Support reuse
• Reduce assembly steps
• Minimize damage
• Improve handling and presentation
• Help products arrive in better condition

A better-performing package can be a more sustainable package.

Recyclability Is Important — But It Is Not the Only Metric

Recyclability is one of the most visible sustainability goals, and for good reason. Many brands want packaging that fits into existing recycling systems and is easier for customers to dispose of responsibly.

For corrugated packaging, paper and kraft components can be a strong option when the goal is single-stream recycling. A fiber-based handle, support plate, or other paper component may help keep the package aligned with a paper recovery stream.

But recyclability is only one part of the sustainability picture.

For some customers, the priority may be reuse. For others, it may be material reduction, reduced product damage, safer handling, improved automation, or fewer secondary materials.

In those cases, a durable plastic component may better support the overall goal.

The right choice depends on the application.

Better Questions Lead to Better Choices

Instead of asking whether paper or plastic is more sustainable, packaging teams should ask better questions.

What is the package’s purpose?
Is it designed for one-way shipping, repeated use, retail display, warehouse handling, or direct consumer interaction?

What is the performance requirement?
Does the component need to carry weight, hold panels together, protect hand holes, support stacking, or withstand repeated opening and closing?

What is the end-of-life goal?
Should the package be recycled with corrugated, reused multiple times, disassembled, returned, or repacked?

What material uses the least resources while still doing the job well?
Sometimes that may be paper. Sometimes that may be plastic. Sometimes the answer may involve both.

Allen Field Supports Both Paths

At Allen Field, we understand that sustainability goals are not one-size-fits-all.

Some customers are focused on recyclability, renewable materials, and natural presentation. Others need durable components that support reuse, reduce damage, improve handling, or streamline assembly and inspection processes.

That is why we offer packaging components made from both plastic and paper/fiber-based materials.

Our goal is not to say one material is always better than the other. Our goal is to help customers choose the component that best fits their package, their supply chain, their performance requirements, and their sustainability priorities.

The Bottom Line

Sustainable packaging is not just about choosing a material that “looks” green. It is about designing packaging that works efficiently, reduces waste, supports the intended end-of-life pathway, and meets real-world performance needs.

Paper can be the right choice. Plastic can be the right choice.

The most sustainable option is the one that supports the full journey of the package — from production and assembly to handling, shipping, use, reuse, recycling, or disposal.

Sustainability is more than a material choice. It is a design decision.

Related Solutions

• Plastic Packaging Components
• Kraft Packaging Components

The Clip & Stack is a reusable tool designed to hold box flaps open and down during packaging operations. Used on opposite corners, it helps keep flaps controlled during filling, unloading, and transport—so operators can work faster with fewer interruptions.

Applied to all four corners, it allows full or empty boxes to stack securely while keeping flaps open. By replacing tape, Clip & Stack helps reduce waste and supports smoother workflows in pick-and-pack, assembly lines, inventory management, QA inspection, and logistics environments.

Looking Beyond the Material

When customers think about sustainable packaging, one of the first questions they often ask is: paper or plastic?

It is an understandable question. Paper feels natural. Plastic feels manufactured. Paper is often associated with recyclability, renewable resources, and an eco-conscious appearance. Plastic, on the other hand, is often viewed through the lens of waste, pollution, and single-use packaging.

But sustainability is not that simple.

The truth is, material alone does not determine whether a packaging solution is sustainable. A paper component is not automatically the greener choice, and a plastic component is not automatically the wrong one.

The better question is not simply, “paper or plastic?”

It is:

What does the package need to do, and what sustainability goals are we trying to support?

Sustainability Requires a Broader View

A truly sustainable packaging decision looks beyond the surface of the material. It considers the full life cycle of the package and its components, including:

• How much material is used
• How the material is sourced
• How efficiently it ships
• Whether it protects the product effectively
• Whether it supports reuse
• Whether it can be recycled in the intended recovery stream
• What happens after use

This broader view matters because packaging has a job to do. It must protect, carry, secure, display, store, ship, and, in some cases, be reused many times.

If a material choice looks sustainable but fails during handling, transit, retail display, or repeated use, the environmental impact can increase. A damaged product, a failed package, or a shipment that needs to be repacked creates waste too.

Why Paper Is Not Always Automatically Greener

Paper and fiber-based packaging components can be excellent choices for many sustainability goals. They can support renewable material strategies, corrugated recycling streams, natural branding, and reduced plastic use.

For applications where recyclability with the box is the priority, paper or kraft components may be the right fit.

However, paper is not impact-free.

Depending on the application, paper-based components may require more material to achieve the same strength, durability, or moisture resistance as plastic. They may be heavier, bulkier, or less durable in certain environments. If coatings, adhesives, or reinforcements are needed for performance, the end-of-life pathway may also become more complex.

That does not mean paper is a poor choice.

It simply means paper should be evaluated by performance, application, and life cycle impact — not by appearance alone.

Why Plastic Can Support Sustainability Goals

Plastic components can also play an important role in sustainable packaging design when used responsibly and purposefully.

Plastic is often lightweight, strong, durable, and highly efficient. In some applications, a small plastic component can help reduce the need for tape, staples, strapping, extra corrugated, or other secondary packaging materials.

Plastic components can also support repeated use, especially in returnable, reusable, warehouse, distribution, and pick-and-pack systems.

For example, a reusable plastic handle, box connector, latch, or stacking corner can help a package stay functional through multiple trips. That can reduce damage, improve handling, and reduce the need to replace packaging materials after a single use.

This does not mean all plastic components are equally sustainable.

It means plastic parts should be evaluated by what they enable: strength, durability, reusability, functionality, and operational efficiency.

The Takeaway

Paper can support important sustainability goals. Plastic can support important sustainability goals too.

The key is to look beyond the material itself and evaluate how the component performs in the full packaging system. Let’s look at why performance, recyclability, reuse, and end-of-life planning all matter when choosing the right packaging component in the next post.

Related Solutions

• Plastic handles
• Paper handles
• Hand hole protectors
• Handle integrated connecting clips

1. Lock corrugated sleeve to base and lid:

The clips snap on and slide laterally into a locked position to secure the corrugated wall to the base and top lid—helping prevent wall separation, shifting, and loss of alignment during transport.

2. Secure the drop door:

For boxes with a fold-down access flap, the clips slide across to secure the drop door when the container is erected—helping prevent bulk goods from spilling and keeping the access closed.

Most packaging is engineered to protect what’s inside—not to be carried. That gap shows up the moment a human has to touch it.
Without a defined, reliable grip point, handling becomes inconsistent. Workers grab wherever they can—edges, flaps, or weak die-cut hand holes that weren’t designed for real load conditions.

What looks fine on a pallet quickly breaks down in motion.

What’s Driving It

• Lifting requires repositioning, readjusting, and sometimes a second person
• Standard hand holes deform, tear, or fail under repeated use 
• Packages shift off balance, increasing the risk of drops
• Movement slows as each touchpoint becomes a small problem to solve

Operational Impact:

• Time loss: Handling becomes the bottleneck instead of a quick step
• Damage risk: Dropped or poorly controlled packages lead to product loss 
• Labor strain: Awkward lifting increases fatigue and injury risk
• Inconsistency: No two people handle the package the same way

What to Evaluate

1. Is there a consistent, repeatable grip point?
2. Does that point align with the center of gravity?
3. Does the structure hold under repeated lifts?

Products That Solve This

Carrying Components

• Plastic handles
• Paper handles
• Hand hole protectors
• Handle integrated connecting clips
• Affordable custom solutions

Case Studies & Demos

Increased Sales with Simply Brilliant Clip & Handle Solution

Allen Field Helps Packaging Company Overcome Bicycle Packaging Challenges

Make Packaging Easy to Manipulate

Us vs. Them: See the Difference in Action

Pack Large Product for Easy Shipping

How Mobility Transforms Operations and Experience

When packaging is equipped for mobility:

• Displays and cartons with strong handles and wheel systems are easy to lift, roll, and transfer
• Displays are designed for quick in-store setup and repositioning as needed
• Display units move smoothly through warehouses and stores, and can be shifted easily for floor cleaning
• Customers enjoy a better experience moving items from the shelf to the cart, to the car, and into their homes

Mobility turns packaging and displays from obstacles into tools—supporting faster operations, delivering a better experience for both teams and customers, and ultimately lifting sales.

Products That Solve This

Mobility Components

• Heavy-duty handles
• Reinforce carry system
• Clips that keep packaging stable in motion

Display Mobility Aids

• Structural supports
• Components that lock display during transit

Custom Options

• Carry / transport system designed for specific packaging

Case Studies & Demos

Make Heavy Product Packaging Mobile

Create Movable Retail Displays

Make Packaging Easy to Manipulate

Mobile Solutions for Heavy Packaging

When packaging is hard to carry, open, or lift safely, strain and accidents go up—and satisfaction drops. Workers fight flimsy hand holes, sharp tools, and oversized cartons that turn every lift into a strain risk. Customers wrestle with tear strips, dig into weak cutouts, and lift boxes that never feel secure, in the aisle and again at home. 

What’s usually blamed as “mishandling” actually starts upstream.

The Challenge

When boxes are large, heavy, or hard to handle, small problems add up fast:

• Cartons are hard to grip, lift, and carry
• Awkward handling increases the risk of workplace lifting injuries
• Packaging is difficult to open and close safely
• Consumers get frustrated before they even reach the product
• Boxes are hard to maneuver in warehouse, on the sales floor, and at home

Strains, pinched fingers, near-drops, and damaged packs quietly erode brand trust.

The Cost of Hard-to-Handle Packaging

When packaging isn’t ergonomic, efficiency drops and brand perception suffers. 

Awkward grips, sharp edges, and unbalanced cartons slow handling and increase strain—raising injury risk, absenteeism, and turnover. Customers feel it too: packs that are hard to lift, carry, or open feel cheap and frustrating, and torn flaps, crushed corners, and “exploding” boxes drive mess, returns, and lost trust. 

Over time, routine handling becomes extra labor—and shopping becomes a series of small irritations.

What Changes When Packaging Is Easier to Use

When packaging is designed for easy access and ergonomic handling:

• Cartons have secure grips, handles, or reinforced hand holes, making them easier to lift and carry
• Ergonomic lift points reduce awkward postures and help lower the risk of workplace lifting injuries
• Easy-open and reclose features save time and eliminate the need for knives or wrestling with the carton
• Shoppers can reach the product quickly and confidently, leaving a lasting positive impression of the brand
• Stocking and transport are simplified as boxes are easier to move, position, and manage

With access and ergonomics built in from the start, packaging actively supports safety, efficiency, and customer satisfaction.

Products That Solve This

Carrying Components

• Plastic handles
• Paper handles
• Reinforced carry solutions
• Heavy-duty industrial handles

Access & Opening Solutions

• Easy-to-open clips
• Reclose / inspection clips
• Temper-resistant, user-friendly closures

Ergonomic Aids

• Components that reduce awkward reach
• Solutions designed for safe, repeat handling

Custom Options

• Tailored handle shapes, grips, and widths
• Ergonomic access designed for large packaging

Case Studies & Demos

Increased Sales with Simply Brilliant Clip & Handle Solution

Allen Field Helps Packaging Company Overcome Bicycle Packaging Challenges

Make Packaging Easy to Manipulate

Us vs. Them: See the Difference in Action

Pack Large Product for Easy Shipping

Displays are expected to hold, align, and perform under load—but in retail, failure is usually gradual. Pegs sag, headers tear, and products drift out of alignment until the display no longer presents the brand as intended. Store teams make it work by resetting shelves, adding tape, or replacing parts.

What appears to be a merchandising issue is often a design-and-structure issue.

The Challenge

In retail environments, breakdowns typically show up as:

• Products  that are difficult to hang, display, or reach
• Displays losing alignment as product weight increases
• Packaging materials deforming under sustained or uneven load
• Products slipping, falling, or becoming unsafe
• Frequent maintenance to restore appearance
• Pilferage

The failure isn’t dramatic. It’s cumulative.

How Retail Packaging Degrades from Transit to the Sales Floor

Retail packaging and displays don’t usually fail overnight—they degrade through shipping, handling, and daily use. What looks great on day one may not be built for sustained load, uneven stocking, or repeated interaction, so alignment drifts, materials deform, and safety margins shrink. Allen Field evaluates performance before the display ships from the manufacturer, in-store, and after weeks of real-world interaction—from transit through the sales floor—so presentation holds without constant resets.

What Changes When Displays Are Designed for Real Conditions

When display hardware is designed around load and handling:

• Products are easy to hang and grab
• Alignment holds even as product weight changes
• Packaging resists deformation over time
• Safety and appearance improve together
• Maintenance drops without sacrificing visibility
• Pilferage is reduced

Performance becomes part of the presentation.

Products That Solve This

Display & Merchandising Components

• Display Hooks
• Hangers
• Showroom Aids
• Clip-Based Structural Supports

Security Solutions

• Anti-pilferage Clips
• Tamper-Resistant Closures
• Reinforced Access Components

Custom Options

• Retail-specific Display Aids
• Reinforced Merchandising Attachments

Related Case Studies & Blog Posts

Corrugated Pegboard Fastening Clip
A custom fastening clip maintained spacing and structural integrity in fully loaded corrugated pegboard displays.

Leading North American Hardware Manufacturer
Reinforced hanger and header solutions prevented tearing and product fallout across high-volume retail environments.

Curtain Display Hangers for a Better Customer Experience
A closed-hook hanger design improved product retention and alignment during repeated customer handling.

Is Pilferage at Retail Costing You Money?

Use the Plastic Display Kit to Avoid Packaging Damages

When packaging meant for reuse or repeated access does not withstand the supply chain environment, failure compounds quickly — operationally, financially, and perceptually.

What looks like “normal wear and tear” is often just under-engineered strength and no real plan for reusability.

The Challenge

Packaging designed for reuse often fails under real-world handling, repeated openings, and multi-touch supply chain cycles:

• Boxes that should last multiple cycles fail after one use
• Panels tear, corners weaken, and connection points degrade over time
• Repacking, reinforcement, and carton replacement increase labor and material costs
• Damage during returns, repairs, and inspections shortens packaging life
•  Shifting contents and reduced structural integrity increase product risk
• Inconsistent durability creates inefficiencies across warehousing, retail, and reverse logistics

All of these quietly drive up material spend, labor, and damage while blocking more sustainable, circular packaging programs.

Why Do Reusable Package Designs Fail

Strapping, glue, tape, and staples often fail in reusable packaging because they are inherently designed for single-use sealing rather than repeated opening, handling, and resealing. Each cycle of inspection, returns, or repairs weakens the package—tape loses adhesion, glue tears corrugated fibers, staples puncture and degrade structure, and strapping can cut into carton walls under load. Over time, this progressive damage leads to panel separation, inconsistent resealing, and reduced structural integrity. In real supply chain environments with vibration, stacking pressure, and frequent handling, these methods also require labor-intensive rework and create safety concerns, ultimately increasing costs and shortening the effective life of packaging meant to be reused.

What Happens When The Right Components Are Used

• Replace single-use sealing (tape, glue, strapping, staples) with repeatable connection components
• Allow packaging to be opened and reclosed without tearing fibers or weakening panels
• Maintain structural integrity through repeated handling, inspections, and returns
• Reduce carton damage caused by cutting, puncturing, or over-tensioning traditional methods
• Minimize rework by eliminating repeated taping, stapling, and re-strapping
• Support consistent performance under vibration, stacking pressure, and movement
• Improve durability across the full supply chain lifecycle
•  Make packaging easier to carry, handle, and reuse without compromising integrity
• Extend the usable life of packaging while reducing replacement cartons and labor

Products That Solve This

Reusable Packaging Components

• Box Connecting Clips
• Corra Screws
• Structural Reinforcement Parts/Stable Stack
• Box Flap Clips

Case Studies & Demos

Using Box Connecting Clips to Enhance Packaging Integrity

Increase Strength and Stability for Heavier and Larger Packaging

An Innovative Approach for Securing Outer Corrugated Protectors