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Use Reusables

Reusables Basics

Many companies are realizing the benefits of reusable transport packaging already. Here are some case studies highlighting different applications for reusables.
crates

Savoy Spinach: Driving down costs with returnables
Switching from wooden bushel baskets to returnable, nestable and stackable HDPE containers has helped drive costs out of the supply chain for the Savoy Spinach industry. View case study

Ang Newspapers

StopWaste.Org: Reusable Moving Crates
When StopWaste.Org moved to a new office, staff wanted to avoid generating the mountain of cardboard waste typical of a traditional move. By choosing reusable moving crates they reduced waste, cut back on labor, and improved the efficiency of the move.
Download case study (pdf)
View a video


Ang Newspapers

ANG Newspapers: Efficiencies from plastic pallets
ANG Newspapers worked with the StopWaste Partnership to identify how they might further improve their environmental performance. StopWaste assessed the situation and determined that ANG had the ideal distribution system for reusable plastic pallets. Download case study (pdf)

Toyota Toyota: Toward zero waste
Toyota Logistics Services (TLS), a North American Division of Toyota Motors, has six Vehicle Delivery Centers in the United States. The center in Fremont is responsible for customizing and upgrading Toyota cars and trucks straight from the factory floor. They process 400,000 vehicles a year. Download case study (pdf)

Ghirardelli Chocolates Ghirardelli Chocolate Company: Reusable totes
Ghirardelli Chocolate Company’s San Leandro facility produces premium chocolate products. The company wanted to eliminate the waste, product breakage, and high costs that resulted from transporting its premium chocolate squares within the plant (and to packagers) in cardboard boxes, which would get soiled and eventually thrown away—at an annual cost of $2,700 for disposal. Download case study (pdf)

chep logo CHEP: Pallet Pooling Systems
To reduce the overall environmental footprint of their supply chains, many manufacturers and retailers are looking to a shipping method that has long been used to maximize operational efficiencies. The CHEP pallet pooling system generates significantly less solid waste, uses less total energy and creates fewer greenhouse gas emissions than other common shipping platforms, according to a recent life cycle inventory analysis, as described in this Case Studies in Sustainability report, published by the Grocery Manufacturers/Food Products Association (GMA/FPA) in 2006.Download case study (pdf)

kaiser logo


Kaiser Permanente: Cutting Cardboard with Reusable Totes

Kaiser Permanente’s (KP) Livermore Distribution Center implemented a pilot program that changed the way it manages inventory: they began using reusable totes in place of disposable cardboard boxes. Expanding upon the success of a 1992 pilot program, KP continues to cut down waste, conserve paper products, and now saves over half a million dollars a year using right-sized, color coded reusable totes for distribution to over 55 locations in Northern California. KP spends $18,000-$25,000 per year on replacement totes as compared to $0.95 per box—a cost savings of $561,450 annually or approximately 96 percent. For more information on the 1992 pilot, download the case study (pdf)

produce container
Reusable Plastic Containers for Shipping and Displaying Produce
StopWaste commissioned an independent test to determine the feasibility of using reusable plastic containers for shipping and displaying produce. Download case study (pdf)




Reusable Beverage Trays

A detailed video case study of reusable trays used for beverage transport and display. (10:35)
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Reusable Pallets

Video case study about durable, reusable pallets that were cost-competitive, and brought numerous product protection, safety, and labor benefits to an Oakland bottling plant. (6:56)
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Case Studies