Things To Know About Reusable Packaging

Packaging that can be used multiple times is known as reusable packaging. It is usually durable, easy to use, easy to clean, and easy to repair packaging. It is usually collapsible or nestable, depending on the type of product you pack. These characteristics allow you to return this packaging to its original user. In simple words, it can be utilized over and over again.

Small businesses can use reusable packaging options such as drums and small consumer-sized packages, including plastic bottles and kegs. Consumers usually reuse cardboard boxes numerous times before disposing of them.

In this article, we will discuss the transportation and industrial use of reusable packaging.

What is reusable packaging?

Categories for reusable packaging include the following.

• Pallets
• Pallet collars
• Bulk containers
• Handheld containers
• Dunnage
• Boxes
• Wraps and straps

These supplies are usually made of stainless steel, plastic, wood, and other materials found in nature.

How does it work?

If you want to make the reuse of packaging feasible, you first have to set up a logistic process. Businesses have to set up a system with their end-users to make sure their packaging supplies come back to their facilities.

Reusable packaging can last for many years due to the types of materials used in their construction. Here, is necessary that those materials are easily recyclable when they are no longer usable. Companies have to make sure that their packaging materials do not end up in landfills.

Advantages of reusable packaging

Reusable packaging can help benefit the economy and sustainability movement. It also helps produce positive social outcomes. Here are a few benefits of reusable packaging.

• Businesses can see direct savings in packaging purchases by investing in reusable packaging. It also helps reduce disposal costs. While the initial price of reusable packaging materials is higher than other packaging materials, this purchase translates into a lower cost per trip, thanks to the repeated reuse. Since this packaging uses durable materials, the chances of product damage remain minimal. It also helps address storage and transportation deficiencies in several ways.
• Reusable packaging benefits the sustainability movement significantly. Since sustainability benefits from the avoidance of expendable packaging, using reusable packaging helps achieve this goal quite effectively. Using more reusable packaging materials results in less waste ending up in landfills. Furthermore, most reusable packaging materials are recyclable, which reduces the likelihood of packaging wastes ending up in landfills even further.
• Speaking of social outcomes, reusable packaging aims at improving ergonomics. These materials allow handlers to work close to the items they need to handle. This packaging also makes household tasks quite easier.

Disadvantages of reusable packaging

The use of reusable packaging is unjustifiable where long distances or low volumes increase the costs of returning packages significantly. Moreover, companies also face the challenge of dealing with pallet and container thefts. A deposit system may help in this regard, though.

Who can use reusable packaging?

Companies meeting one or more of the business conditions mentioned above are usually good candidates for reusable packaging solutions. Those companies can, then, save costs and achieve other benefits of reusable packaging.

So, you can discuss with your packaging vendor whether or not you are a good candidate for reusable packaging. You can formulate a packaging strategy based on suggestions provided by that vendor.