Stephen Gould’s returnable packaging solutions make it possible to reduce costs, decrease environmental impact, and increase efficiency. Our team is at the forefront of developing returnable packaging solutions for modern manufacturing environments.
Returnable packaging is a sustainable alternative to single-use packaging. Once packages arrive at their destination and are unloaded, the packaging is sent back to a point of distribution, creating benefits throughout supply chains. Returnable packaging is used widely in a number of industries, including automotive, food and beverage, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, and consumer packaged goods.
Common types of returnable packaging include reusable pallets, racks, bulk containers and reusable containers made from durable materials like plastic, metal, and wood. In many instances, returnable packaging can be designed to collapse in order to save space and reduce costs on return freight. The inner packaging can be customized to keep goods secure and withstand rough handling.
Why Use Returnable Packaging Solutions
Returnable packaging solutions can offer substantial improvements to the way businesses ship their products around the world. Here are some of the benefits that returnable packaging has over one-way packaging:
Reduced Environmental Impact
Using returnable packaging decreases the environmental impact of supply chains in multiple ways. The amount of single-use packaging material that ends up in landfills is reduced, as well as the water, energy, and CO2 emissions that are typically used to recycle and reuse single-use packaging. Reusable packaging not only has a significantly longer lifespan than single-use packaging, but can also be recycled into new packaging materials.
Cost Savings
Reusing packaging reduces or eliminates recurring costs of producing the packaging. Up front investment in reusable packaging is offset over time by savings on no longer producing and purchasing disposable packaging.
Product Protection
Containers are made from durable materials like plastic or metal that can withstand heavy loads and rough handling in transit.
Maximized Storage
Packaging made from plastic or metal can be stacked much higher than packaging made from cardboard or other disposable materials, allowing for warehouse space to be organized more efficiently.
Increased worker safety
Returnable containers typically provide smooth surfaces and handles that provide workers with a better grip, improving maneuverability and reducing workplace injuries.
Improved Tracking
The durability and robustness of returnable packaging solutions makes for a natural fit with an RFID tracking system. Scannable tags can be affixed to each individual container, providing greater visibility into where items are located throughout the supply chain and reducing human error during transit.
