Are Cardboard Cores Sustainable

Here at Stell we’re often asked the question: are cardboard cores sustainable? The short answer is yes.

Cardboard cores and tubes are made from recycled materials that can be frequently recycled. In fact, they go through several recycle lifecycles, so to speak!

First let’s start with our raw materials. All of the paper we use in our manufacturing process is made from 100% recycled paperboard. Then 100% of our scrap or waste paper and cardboard from the manufacturing process is sent back to our paperboard supplier for recycling – and we inevitably get some of that back to reuse again.

Our cores and tubes are also fully recyclable once they have been used by our customers too. This makes them 100% eco-friendly.

We’ve been at the cutting edge of the so-called ‘green movement’ since before it was a trend

After 150 years of continuous production and supply of cardboard tubes and cores we can justifiably claim to be a sustainable business in the truest sense of the word. Having a deep appreciation for and completely embracing the importance of the environmental dimensions of sustainability.

And for Stell, sustainability is about much more than the environment. We run our business with due regard for all stakeholders and are always looking at what we can do to enhance our sustainability today and long-term.

We operate sustainability in 4 ways:

• Sustainability in our products
• Sustainability in our factory
• Sustainability in our supply chain
• Sustainability for our customers

Let’s explore each further…

Sustainability in our products

All the paper we use in our manufacturing process is made from 100% recycled paperboard. Then 100% of our scrap or waste paper and cardboard from the manufacturing process is sent back to our paperboard supplier for recycling – and we inevitably receive it back from them in new paperboard to reuse again.

Our cores and tubes are fully recyclable once they have been used by our customers too, making them 100% eco-friendly.

Sustainability in our factory

Our entire manufacturing operations are run from our headquarters – a modern and well insulated 100,000 sq ft factory in Keighley, West Yorkshire. That’s manufacturing and storage space that is equivalent to the size of 1.5 football pitches.

As part of our modernisation strategy, we have also recently invested in sustainable power technology – including a biomass boiler and solar energy.

Sustainability in our supply chain

We’re deliberate when it comes to minimising our carbon footprint. We have purposefully chosen to operate a business with a short supply chain since we were founded over 150 years ago. Our raw paperboard and other materials are sourced locally – within the UK, and we don’t buy cheap paper from abroad which is less sustainable. Because we care about the impact we make on the environment, support UK businesses and want to provide you with the best quality cores and tubes that you can rely on.

As we’ve said earlier our raw materials are sourced locally and waste is recycled locally within Yorkshire. And our board manufacturer has its own network of recycled paper collections.

100 per cent of our adhesive is also sourced within the UK.

And, 80 per cent of our people actually live within walking distance of our factory in West Yorkshire.

Sustainability for our customers

All of this ultimately contributes to the sustainability of our customers’ operations. And to keeping your factories running. There’s a saying in the power industry that power companies ‘keep the lights on’, at Stell our saying is our cores ‘keep factories moving’.

Did you know…?

… that there’s a Japanese architect named Shigeru Ban, who is known for his innovative work with recycled cardboard tubes. Many of his designs are temporary structures used to house disaster victims and they incorporate sustainable materials including cardboard tubes and others in some really innovative ways. Check out his work!

Coming next… supporting your business continuity and resilience.

If you’re looking for a fully sustainable cardboard core and tube manufacturer choose Stell cardboard cores and tubes. Contact us on 01535 281400 or email info@stell.co.uk