Reusables Basics
Additional information on reusable transport packaging can be found on the following websites:
Reusable Packaging Association : http://www.choosereusables.org
Reusable Plastic Container and Pallet Association: http://www.mhia.org/rpcpa/
Reusable Industrial Packaging Association: http://www.reusablepackaging.org/
Inbound Logistics Magazine www.inboundlogistics.com
Material Handling Management Magazine www.mhmonline.com
Life Cycle Inventory of Reusable Plastic Containers An independent "cradle to grave" analysis conducted by Franklin Associates and focusing on the energy, solid wastes, and atmospheric and waterborne emissions associated with reusable plastic containers (RPCs) and one-way containers used for shipping fresh produce. Download study.
Delivering the Goods: Benefits of Reusable Shipping Containers This fact sheet from Inform, Inc.summarizes some of the key strategies, benefits, features, and obstacles to using Reusables. Download study.
Transport Packaging: Cost-Effective Strategies for Reducing, Reusing, and Recycling in the Grocery Industry A tool developed by the Minnesota Office of Environmental Assistance to help businesses make informed decisions about reducing, reusing, and recycling transport packaging. The information gathered in this report came from working with the grocery industry, but applies to any large user of transport packaging. The manual features best management practices for OCC, plastic film and pallets, based on lessons learned at the store level, and three profiles highlighting existing waste management practices and costs, recommendations for improvement, and cost-benefit analysis. Download study (pdf, 387K)
- "California Campaign Urges Reusable Transport Packaging" Material Handling Management, July 12th, 2007
- “California Urges Conversion to Reusable Transport Packaging” Food Logistics, July 11th, 2007
- “County Urges Conversion to Reusable Packaging” Alameda Sun, February 22, 2008
- "Packaging That Keeps Going"
Advanced Design & Manufacturing, Spring 2007
Sustainable packaging - recyclable, reusable, environmentally friendly - is poised to play a prominent role in retailing and logistics.
- "Paper or Plastic Pallets?" June
8th, 2006
(UC Press) (90 sec. audio clip)
- “Packaging
Ways to Make the Supply Chain Green”
Supply & Demand Chain Executive, September 7, 2007
Repeat use packaging product line combats 24 million tons of annual shipping waste in electronics industry.
- "Building the Green Supply Chain" Supply & Demand Chain Executive, November, 2007
Boulder Community Hospital uses reusable containers to replace pervasive blue wrap, saving $180,000.
- "Materials Handling Update: Pleasing to the Pallet" Inbound Logistics, July 2007
Before businesses begin tinkering with state-of-the-art conveyor networks and automated storage and retrieval systems, they might want to reconsider the role of the warehouse's most underrated asset - the pallet.
