Benefits and Successes of Reusable Plastic Packaging

Companies select reusable plastic packaging due to cost savings and optimization. The sum of the varied benefits will equate to supply chain success for companies in a number of industries.

Improved positive flow of product:

• The lightweight design of reusable plastic shipping solutions allows inventory to travel efficiently and securely to its destination.

Reduced excess packaging waste:

• Disposal of corrugated cardboard and wood waste is quite costly in terms of one-time use packaging disposal fees and productive time lost during set-up and breakdown. A long life in service for reusable packaging allows it to be used again and again, in place of single-use corrugated solutions or wood products.

Reduced packaging expenses:

• Annual packaging expenses drop drastically with integration of reusable plastic shipping containers and their protective interiors. Plastic containers can last 5 – 10 years, thereby reducing packaging material expenses to pennies per trip by assigning the initial expense as a fee that can be spread over the entire useful life of the container. Recurring charges for single-use containers are avoided, and waste is cut to a large degree compared to corrugated cardboard.

Maximized protection of products from damage:

• Reusable plastic packaging supports a number of IS)-Certified and Six-Sigma initiatives by protecting all incoming materials and outgoing inventory from damage. Pricey components and finished products are securely stored in heavy-duty, polyethylene containers with snag-free interiors that protect assemblies from damage. Plastic containers essentially eliminate dents, scuffs other damage to inventory packaging. Pallets are used to securely and safely ship full loads of products from point A to point B. The rugged, all-plastic construction protects stored products from damage caused be screws or splinters often found in wood pallets.

Minimized transportation expenses:

• Customized plastic bin interiors standardize the total number of parts stored per container and per truck, allowing improved ordering capabilities, cost estimating and transportation planning. Stacking reusable plastic containers to the full capacity of the truck improves cube efficiency and streamlines cost. To limit return transportation fees, reusable plastic packaging will often nest or collapse when empty to make the most of available space.

Plastic shipping containers support lean production:

• Plastic packaging facilitates implementation of lean production. The model requires frequently scheduled deliveries, standard package sizes and efficient methods for packaging that improve workflow and reduce the need for additional storage space.

Reduced labor expenses due to a standard level of workflow:

• Layers of expendable packing materials can be eliminated. The reduction of materials, in turn, means there are fewer labor steps involved in the packaging process. Removal of expendable packing layers equates to less ordering and set-up time and minimal plastic container disposal expenses. Containers safely stack higher than shipping crates made of wood or cardboard and collapse or nest to use less floor space, making inventory management easier. Reception and inspection of new deliveries are also improved with standardized packages and consistent unit size. Most indirect labor expenses are driven from the system in this model.

Improved inventory management through standard sizes:

• Shipping in small quantities on a more frequent basis and delivering parts closer to their expected time of usage, minimizes the number of days parts sit in inventory. This then limits the days that any inventory sits in a nonproductive state. Combining supplier pick-up stops or deliveries into small, daily routes helps limit the number of dollars tied-up in inventory.

Improved space utilization in a warehouse setting:

• Process improvements facilitated by packaging from Reusable Transport Packaging can limit inventory and improve the use of fixed assets, including available warehouse floor space and material handling equipment.

Improved safety and ergonomics around the manufacturing facility:

• Fewer injury incidents related to shipping containers are reported due to improved stackability, easy handling, better tracking and quick location of materials. In an age of increasingly large workers’ comp and healthcare expenses, containers with a focus on ergonomics improve safety conditions and the bottom line at the same time. Standardized shipping containers with easy-grip handles or access panels make packaging user-friendly and easier on staff, resulting in fewer injuries.
• Reusable plastic containers also eliminate injuries caused by staples, screws, box cutters, broken pallets and “slip and fall” injuries caused by loose cardboard.

Reduced cycle times:

• Through the use of reusable plastic shipping containers, manufacturing companies can increase their production speed. Parts are consistently available in standardized containers. Workers no longer spend time handling and disposing of corrugated cardboard packaging. Reusable plastic packaging also enables daily deliveries to maximize productivity.