As the 21st century barrels forward, the world is becoming more environmentally conscious. And the media industry is no different with the Ecopak CD.
So what is an Ecopak? An Ecopak CD, also known as a Digifile, is an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional CD cases. The Ecopak CD case is made out of recycled 350gsm card stock, weighing less than other CD cases. This means that less carbon emissions have to be expended to transport the Ecopak CD internationally.
Ecopaks are a custom printed card packaging that can hold one or more CDs. This allows fans to get the same vibrant, eye-catching artwork they are used to with CD Jewel Cases or Digipak CDs, whilst reducing their negative impact, as a consumer, on the environment.
This environmentally ‘green’ packaging envelopes the CD, with a front and back, and stores the actual CD inside the case on the right-hand side, but this placement is not beyond change
The main benefit to an Ecopak CD case is the environmental benefit it offers, compared to other traditional CD cases. An Ecopak, or Digifile, offers the same basic structure as other options, but with a reduced weight. In turn, this lighter material requires harmful energy (in the form of carbon emissions) to be spent to transport the material. This is why there is a growing popularity in Ecopak CD cases.
Ecopak CDs are a stylish, but environmentally friendly alternative to traditional CD cases (such as CD Jewel Cases). Ecopak cases protect your CD with a 4-panel sleeve made from a custom printed card packaging. The relatively light weight of this card, at 350gsm, then gives the Ecopak its eco-friendly nature.
In simple terms, because the paper stock used is lighter than other structural alternatives, less energy (in the form of carbon emissions), has to be spent to transport the Ecopak materials.
What Does an Ecopak CD Look Like?
At first glance, the Ecopak CD looks very similar to other, more familiar CD cases such as a Jewel Case. However, unlike the Jewel Case, the Ecopak CD is made entirely from one material.
The eco-friendly card acts a protective barrier for the CD inside, folding over from left to right, to offer even more protection. The CD inside the Ecopak is held snuggly in place by a slit in the card material, where the CD slips into.
The Ecopak CD case is professionally cut to size using a guillotine; ensuring a clean, precise finish to the case’s appearance. Therefore, an Ecopak CD should look like any other professionally produced case, but in the form of paper rather than a variety of less environmentally friendly plastics.
When Was the Ecopak CD Case Created?
Eco-Pak was actually the brand name for a CD packaging company called Ivy Hill Packaging but was ultimately controlled by Time Warner. In 1991, the Eco-Pak was launched at the meeting of the National Association of Recording Merchandisers.
However, it was not an initial success. The new CD case actually used as much cardboard and plastic as the CD Jewel Case and was therefore quite difficult to recycle. Come the 21st century, the Ecopak, now based on recycled materials, began to rise in popularity.
What's Include in Ecopak CD?
All of the Ecopak products produced by CD Unity include CD, CD print and CD duplication (replication is available for orders over 300 units)
Therefore, all Ecopak CD products may include:
- Premium AAA grade professional CD-R or glassmaster replicated CD
- Recycled card sleeves (onto which the album artwork is printed)
- Paper informational booklets (about the band/musician)
- Lyrics booklet
- CD print
- Artwork proofs
- CD text coding
- ISRC coding
How Much do Ecopak CDs Cost?
You can look up our pricing our our Ecopak CDs here
How Much do Ecopak CDs Sell For?
Of course, there is no universal price for Ecopaks – it’s entirely up to the seller. But, typically, they sell at around £10 (with the CD etc included inside). Which is a great profit considering you are buying them at around £2 per Ecopak!
What is The Difference Between Ecopak CDs and Other Cases?
There are a range of CD case types, from Jewel Case, to PVC wallet adhesive strips, to Digipaks. But the main difference between Ecopak CDs and these other alternatives are their impact on environment.
Ecopak CDs, made from recycled paper stock, are more environmentally friendly than the materials used to create Jewel Cases, PVC Wallet adhesive strips and Digipaks, which are predominantly made from rigid, artificially created plastics.
Is an Ecopak the Same as a Digipak?
Although they have a similar, envelope-like appearance, an Ecopak is different to a Digipak. Principally, Digipaks are made from a non-recycled cardboard material onto which the band’s unique artwork is then printed.
The Digipak first rose in popularity with customers’ growing frustration at the cracking of their CDs inside Jewel Cases – Digipaks, with their foldable cardboard structure, were much more likely to prevent any ‘cracks’ appearing on your disk.
The most popular type of Digipak is the 4-panel container, which opens up like a book. However, Digipaks can hold up to 10 disks. This increased holding ability, and choice of non-environmentally friendly materials, is the main difference between the Digipak and the Ecopak CD.
Why are Ecopaks Better for the Environment?
Ecopaks are better for the environment for two mains reasons. Firstly, because they are made from a recycled material, they are directly reducing the need to grow, harvest or extract raw materials from the Earth. In other words, being made from recycled materials (which already exist), does away with the need to create new materials from the Earth’s finite resources.
Secondly, the material used is 350gsm paper stock. This is an extremely light, yet sturdy, substance. As such, less energy is required to transport large quantities of this material, compared to heavier substances. Therefore, less carbon emissions (which come from energy expenditure) are produced, meaning less greenhouse gases are produced, and the Earth’s environment is protected more.
Why do People Prefer to Buy an Ecopak CD?
With society’s growing concern about the environment’s health, and belief in the ‘Climate Crisis’ after the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s announcement that the “next 18 months will be critical”, environmental concern is at an all-time high.
As such, many individuals have tried to make changes in their everyday life and, naturally, this has affected their buying habits. Now, the Ecopak CD is increasing in popularity as an ‘eco-friendly’ alternative to other CD case options.
Other than the environmental benefit, many people simply prefer the Ecopak because of its glossy, or matte, appearance. One other benefit, particularly compared to the Jewel Case CD, is the crack protection it ensures the CDs contained within.
What Size is an Ecopak CD?
The Ecopak CD is 124mm tall and 140mm wide. That’s the size for each of the panels including bleed and margins. For more detailed measurements please download our specification sheet.
Hope that helps!
Thanks,
Rory
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