Reusable packaging

Reusable packaging is manufactured of durable materials and is specifically designed for multiple trips and extended life. A reusable package or container is “designed for reuse without impairment of its protective function.” [1] The term returnable is sometimes used interchangeably but it can also include returning packages or components for other than reuse: recycling, disposal, incineration, etc. Typically, the materials used to make returnable packaging include steel, wood, polypropylene sheets or other plastic materials.[2]

Reusability of packaging is an important consideration of the environmental credo of “reduce, reuse, and recycle”. It is also important to the movement toward more sustainable packaging. Returnable packaging is encouraged by regulators.[3][4]

Shipping containers

For many years, several types of shipping containers have been returnable and reusable. These have made most sense when a reverse logistics system is available or can be readily developed.[5] A return, reconditioning, and reuse system can save money on the cost per shipment and can reduce the environmental footprint of the packaging.[6]

Manufacturing, particularly the automotive industry, has used heavy-duty returnable racks for shipping hoods, fenders, engines, dashboards, etc. from suppliers to final assembly plants. The racks are then returned for the next shipment cycle.

Bulk foods, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals are often shipped in reusable and returnable containers. These need to be carefully inspected, cleaned and sanitized as part of the reuse cycle. An effective Quality Management System is necessary.

Wooden pallets are often made to be expendable, for a single shipment. Others are heavy duty and intended for multiple shipments. Some are in “pallet pools” which are used, inspected, and refurbished for extended usage.

Often reusable industrial shipping containers have bar code labels or RFID chips to help identify and route the containers.

  • A typical keg (half-barrel) with a single opening in the center of the top end
  • Industrial compressed gas cylinders
  • steel drums can be reconditioned and reused
  • Plastic molded transit case with pre-cut foam interior
  • Returnable/reusable plastic tote box, Euro container
  • Container for bulk vegetable oil
  • Heavy-duty reusable wooden pallet
  • Reusable field bins for fruit
  • Stackable plastic containers
  • Carrots on display in returnable plastic bins

Use in the automotive industry

Automotive OEM manufacturers use and encourage the use of returnable packaging to move components from their vendors to their factories. The components are placed in returnable packaging and are at times and arranged in a way that facilitates movement straight to assemble lines. Such packaging replaces traditional corrugated cartons, thereby helping companies cut costs by avoiding wastage and effort required in disposing the cartons. It also helps in reducing the environmental footprint of the automotive industry.

Other advantages of using returnable packaging include avoiding damages to parts in while in transit. Parts are at times placed in specially designed receptacles for easy picking on the assembly line contributing to fewer mistakes and simpler inventory management.

A few examples of returnable packaging in automotive industry:

A steel cage used as reusable packaging
A wooden pallet collar box
A Corrugated plastic box used as reusable packing
Corrugated plastic dividers used to pack automotive components.

Consumer packaging and containers
See also: Reuse of bottles

Several types of consumer containers have been in reuse systems. Reusable bottles for milk, soda, and beer have been part of closed-loop use-return-clean-refill-reuse cycles. Food storage containers are typically reusable. Thick plastic water bottles are promoted as an environmental improvement over thin single-use water bottles. Some plastic cups can be re-used, though most are disposable.

Home canning often uses glass mason jars which are often reused several times.

Many non-food types of containers, including reusable shopping bags, and luggage, are designed to be reused by consumers.

With any food packaging, proper cleaning and disinfecting between each use is critical to health.

In September 2019, the UK Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee released a report claiming that the official intervention should encourage more shops to offer refillable options instead of traditional single-use packing.[7]

  • Home storage containers
  • Delivering milk in India in reusable stainless steel containers
  • Reusable milk bottles and carrier
  • Reusable shopping bag
  • Mason jars for canning
  • Reusable water bottles in crates
  • Christmas tree ornaments in storage boxes
  • Refillable liquid soap dispenser
  • Flip-top or bail closure on storage jar
  • Gass grill with reusable LP gas cylinder

Reuse for other purposes
Main article: Repurposing

Used packages are often reused for purposes other than their primary use. For example, a single-use plastic shopping bag might be reused as a bin bag, a household storage bag or a dog faeces bag.

  • Furniture made from milk crates
  • Pails being reused to carry other items
  • Architecture with intermodal shipping containers

Justification

Reusable packaging often costs more initially and uses more and different materials than single-use packaging. It often requires adding complexity to the distribution system.[8] Not all packaging justifies being returnable and reusable.

A thorough cost analysis is required. This involves all of the material, labor, transport, inspection, refurbishing, cleaning, and management costs. Often these costs may be incurred by different companies with different cost structures.[9][10]

The environmental costs and benefits can also be complex. The material, energy, pollution, etc. needs to be accounted for throughout the entire system. A Life Cycle Assessment offers a good methodology for this task.[11][12][13][14]

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See also

References
  1. ASTM D996
  2. Soroka, W. Illustrated Glossary of Packaging Terminology (Second ed.). Institute of Packaging Professionals. p. 185.
  3. Use Reusables: Fundamentals of Reusable Transport Packaging (PDF), US Environmental Protection Agency, 2012, retrieved 28 June 2014
  4. Golding, A (2004), Reuse of Primary Packaging (PDF), Contract B4-3040/98/000180/MAR/E3, European Commission, retrieved 30 June 2014
  5. Twede, D (2009), "Logistical/Distribution Packaging", in Yam, K L (ed.), Encyclopedia of Packaging Technology, Wiley, ISBN 978-0-470-08704-6
  6. Ernst & Young Accountants (2014), Life Cycle Assessment of Newly Manufactured and Reconditioned Industrial Packaging (PDF), Reusable Industrial Packaging Association
  7. "Plastic food and drink packaging". Publications.parliament.uk. 12 September 2019.
  8. Twede, S (2004). "Supply Chain Issues in Reusable Packaging". Journal of Marketing Channels. 12 (1): 7–26. doi:10.1300/J049v12n01_02.
  9. Tomey, R D (1995). "Returnable Packaging Components in Physical Distribution Systems". In Fiedler, R M (ed.). Distribution Packaging Technology. Institute of Packaging Professionals.
  10. Harder, MS (1996). "How to Develop a Returnable Pack for Multiple Plant Use". In Fiedler, R M (ed.). The Best of TransPack. Institute of Packaging Professionals.
  11. Mata, T M (2001). "Life cycle assessment of different reuse percentages for glass beer bottles". International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment. 6 (5): 58–63. doi:10.1007/BF02978793.
  12. Spitzly, David (1997), Life Cycle Design of Milk and Juice Packaging (PDF), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, retrieved 29 June 2014
  13. Singh, J; Krasowski, Singh (January 2011), "Life cycle inventory of HDPE bottle-based liquid milk packaging systems", Packaging Technology and Science, 24: 49–60, CiteSeerX 10.1.1.1029.2590, doi:10.1002/pts.909
  14. Van Doorsselaer, K; Fox (2000), "Estimation of the energy needs in life cycle analysis of one-way and returnable glass packaging", Packaging Technology and Science, 12: 235–239, doi:10.1002/(SICI)1099-1522(199909/10)12:5<235::AID-PTS474>3.0.CO;2-W

Books, general references
  • Design Criteria for Specialized Shipping Containers, US DoD, Mil-Std 648D, 1999,
  • McKinlay, A. H., "Transport Packaging", Institute of Packaging Professionals, 2004
  • Yam, K.L., "Encyclopedia of Packaging Technology", John Wiley & Sons, 2009, ISBN 978-0-470-08704-6

Industry Associations

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