Press Release Body: In the current issue of International Food Safety and Quality Network, manufacturing journalist Thomas R. Cutler profiles the \"Returnable Packaging Impacts Food Quality & Safety.\"
. Bulk containers, metal bins, and totes are used repeated . Reduced labor costs with reduced or eliminated box assembly . Reduced material handling achieved with fewer moves from stackable containers . Enhanced quality since there are fewer rejects due to damaged packaging . Increased efficiency in floor space usage since plastic and metal containers can stack very high
The per piece packaging costs for used bulk containers and totes can be as low as 5% of the costs for a comparable expendable solution, depending on shipping volumes. Returnable containers provide a way to reduce costs and increase productivity in food handling and distribution because the food containers can go from processors to distributors to retailers efficiently. They offer flexibility to meet the requirements of users throughout the food supply chain.
Nearly a decade ago Sonja Randall reported in Modern Materials Handling, that, \"To a grocery retailer entering a produce cooler first thing in the morning it\'s common to see collapsed corrugated cardboard boxes of fruit and vegetables. Hopefully not a lot of the product is damaged and discarded. And hopefully a lot of time isn\'t consumed in cleaning the mess.\"
Since that report, there are now important packaging alternatives for retailers in the produce industry. The International Food Container Organization (IFCO US) now has hundreds of growers/shippers in North America and it is predicted that as food processing plants will dramatically increase their use of returnable containers. Product handling is reduced with some of these returnable containers because produce is often packed directly into containers where it remains until purchased by the general public. Reduced handling eliminates product damage possibilities. Increasingly food manufacturers and distributors are changing entire storage and packaging components to returnable containers. Beyond the public relations benefit of being environmentally conscientious food companies, genuine corporate citizenship is frequently sincere and demonstrated through practice. Since returnable containers enhance safety and quality issues, it\'s not a difficult choice for many organizations to shift their packaging and storage approach.
Folding bulk containers, industrial totes, and metal storage bins are used over and over again within a facility or between a supplier and a customer. They can be used literally thousands of times. These bulk boxes are much cheaper in the long term when compared to buying cardboard boxes and wood crates every time that product is shipped. Savings can be observed in the per piece packaging cost. While the upfront investment in returnable packaging may cost more, savings can be realized quickly through repeated use (the same bulk containers, metal bins, and totes are used over and over), labor (no more box assembly), material handling (fewer moves from stackable containers), quality (fewer rejects due to damaged packaging), and floor space (plastic and metal containers can stack very high). The per piece packaging costs for used bulk containers and totes can be as low as 5% of the costs for a comparable expendable solution, depending on shipping volumes. Container Exchanger (www.containerexchanger.com) is dedicated to the sale and resale of reusable packaging and containers. The firm resells folding bulk containers, metal storage bins, plastic industrial totes, plastic pallets, and used gaylord boxes nationwide. When a company is finished using a returnable packaging fleet, Container Exchanger represents the seller and finds a buyer for the used bulk packaging. Sellers enjoy a high sales price for a better return on investment. Buyers save significantly in comparison to new packaging prices.
Container Exchanger www.containerexchanger.com David Madden, President pr@containerexchanger.com 404-551-5599
2012
