Most cereal boxes are not wax coated; instead, they are typically coated with clay.
While wax coatings were potentially used in the past, modern cereal box manufacturing predominantly uses clay coatings due to their compostability and suitability for printing. This clay coating provides a smooth surface for applying vibrant graphics and text, which is crucial for attracting consumers. It also serves as a barrier against moisture, although not as effectively as wax.
Here's a breakdown:
-
Clay Coating: The most common type of coating found on cereal boxes.
- Pros: Compostable, provides a good printing surface, and is generally more environmentally friendly than wax.
- Cons: Less moisture-resistant than wax.
-
Wax Coating: Less commonly used nowadays.
- Pros: Excellent moisture barrier.
- Cons: Not compostable, can hinder the recycling process, and may not provide as good a surface for printing detailed graphics.
How to Tell the Difference:
According to the provided reference, it's essential to determine whether the coating is wax or clay. Clay is compostable, whereas wax is not. Unfortunately, no guidance is given on how to discern one from the other without external resources or information beyond the scope of the reference.
In conclusion, while some older or specialized cereal boxes might use a wax coating, the vast majority of cereal boxes you encounter today are coated with clay.
