The work aims to evaluate the carbon emissions of polypropylene recyclable packaging boxes and ironwood boxes across their entire life cycle, and investigate the environmental merits of polypropylene packaging boxes in comparison to traditional wooden boxes, so as to address a long-standing issue in the packaging of automotive components:"using plastics instead of wood Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology was adopted to conduct a carbon footprint analysis with ironwood boxes as examples. It took into account the carbon emissions generated at each stage, from raw material acquisition, production, usage, to waste disposal. Through this rigorous approach, the environmental impact of packaging boxes throughout their life cycle could be accurately assessed to furnish a scientific rationale for choosing of future packaging materials. The findings revealed that polypropylene recyclable packaging boxes exhibited significantly lower carbon emissions throughout their life cycle compared with ironwood boxes. Specifically, ironwood boxes emitted approximately 571.265 kg, whereas polypropylene packaging boxes accounted for roughly a quarter of this figure. Based on these compelling results, it is evident that polypropylene recyclable packaging boxes effectively contribute to carbon emission reduction. Therefore, in the context of automotive component packaging, the adoption of "using plastics instead of wood" emerges as a viable and commendable option. This discovery serves as a valuable reference for the packaging industry, fostering the development of more sustainable packaging alternatives.