reusable secondary packaging is sustainable and helps companies save money

Reusable Secondary Packaging – Evaluating the Sustainability and Cost Benefits

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Reusable secondary packaging is necessary from the moment a product exits the production line and until it reaches the store shelf or the end of the internal logistic loop. From consumer goods and complex mechanisms for cars and airplanes to mail packages and letters, all items must be stored safely during transport and storage.

For some companies, investing in returnable plastic packaging to use as secondary packaging is still not a priority. They continue to rely on cheap traditional crates and boxes made of wood or corrugated cardboard.

However we have reached the point when these old and unreliable packaging materials are neither cheap, nor sustainable in the long term. In this article, the Logistic Packaging team will demonstrate that reusable secondary packaging, while having a higher initial purchase cost, reach a higher ROI and help companies meet their environmental commitments.

Reusable Plastic Packaging Is Sturdy and Resilient

Imagine the average trip of a product from its production facility to the final client. It involves thousands of kilometers in a trailer on all kinds of roads and weather conditions.

Wooden or cardboard boxes offer little to no protection to products in transit. The rate of product damage is high and represents a significant financial loss for companies.

By contrast, returnable plastic pallets and plastic containers undergo several tests to prove their strength and reliability, including impact tests and drop down tests. They are necessary to ensure that the packaging absorbs all mechanical shocks and keeps the products intact throughout the entire journey.

Reusable Secondary Packaging Extends the Shelf Life of Fresh Food Products

Fresh food, such as fruit, leafy greens and bakery products are extremely sensitive to environmental changes. They react to changes in temperature and humidity, losing their freshness and their appeal to customers.

Returnable plastic crates for bakery products and foldable small crates for fruit have special design features that prolong the shelf life of these food products. The perforated bottom ensures that all liquids drain well and the perforated sides allow ideal ventilation to the products, even in stack.

Adequate for All Industries

Although we mentioned a few specialized packaging solutions, most reusable secondary packaging materials can be used in all industries. A few examples include:

  • Plastic pallets – the most versatile packaging solution used in industries such as: automotive, retail, food production, manufacturing, pharma and distribution
  • Stackable EURO boxes – ideal for the internal logistic loop in most industries
  • Bale arm containers – extensively used in agriculture, grocery distribution, food processing and even for shelf display in stores
  • Small foldable plastic containers – a must-have packaging solution in production, distribution, the automotive industry and the textile industry.

The versatile character of these packages makes them highly sustainable. A large and diversified company can use the same packaging materials for various types of products and packaging applications.

Returnable Plastic Packages Have a Long Useful Life

One of the biggest problems of wooden and cardboard packages is that they have a short life and are not sustainable. For example, a wooden pallet has a useful life of maximum three years, with limited use cycles and many repairs to fix splinters and replace rusty nails.

By contrast, a plastic pallet can be used for around 6-7 years continuously, with minimum breaks for standard washing. The pallets can make thousands of trips before they reach end of life. And when they do, they are 100% recyclable.

Reusable Plastic Packaging Has a High ROI and Low TCO

Returnable plastic containers and pallets require minimum maintenance and repairs. They have a sturdy build and do not break down easily, even after intense use cycles. This means that they have a low total cost of ownership (TCO).

By correlation, these packages also reach full return on investment (ROI) thanks to the long period of use. This is a huge advantage over older packaging materials, which never achieve full ROI due to their short lifespan.

The Logistic Packaging team helps you select the adequate secondary packaging solutions for your business needs. Send us an email to start discussing your application with one of our experts!