3 Ways to Breathe Life into New Obsolete Cardboard Boxes

It is easy to consider things becoming obsolete. The challenge lies in saving it from obsoletion. It would surprise you, but all it takes to prevent obsolescence is a little nudge in the right direction. Let’s take the example of cardboard boxes. While packaging material suppliers may try their best at recycling the boxes or reusing them, there is a point when the boxes become too frail as they are no longer able to serve the purpose for which they were created. 

Once this stage is reached, there is nothing much that can be done. In my personal opinion, the best thing that you could do is to sell the “dead” boxes for whatever they are worth and then invest in new obsolete boxes. These obsolete boxes are good as new and most of them are unused / fresh. The reason behind their obsolescence could be incorrect sizing, incorrect printing and incorrect board grade. Technically, there is absolutely nothing that is wrong with these boxes so they can be put to good use. In fact, they come pretty cheap so you can actually end up saving money by using new obsolete boxes for your packaging solutions. 

Many people are unaware of the actual condition of the so called “obsolete boxes” and just because of a technical name, they don’t consider these boxes. Here are 3 ways in which you can breathe life into the new obsolete boxes and contribute towards sustainable practices in the packaging industry.

E-Commerce Packaging

Everyone knows that ecommerce packaging requirements are quite diverse because the order made by a particular customer would be unique and can contain any number of items. This requires the ecommerce business to have boxes of differing sizes to incorporate the different order sizes. Instead of investing in new boxes, it would be a smart approach to get new obsolete boxes (available in printed as well as plain format) and use them as per requirement. 

By getting plain boxes, you can brand the boxes yourself or even come out with special labels for seasonal offerings. Even the printed ones can be used by simply putting a label on the print. This would save a lot of time, money and efforts in the process.

Personal Storage Box

This is probably the best use that can be made for the new obsolete boxes. There are no specific requirements for personal storage so boxes of any size or print can be used quite easily. You may store clothes, books, crockery, delicate items or just about anything that you wish to store. Since these are for your personal use, minor technical errors won’t make much of a difference to you.

Individual Delivery Box

The problem with recycled or reused boxes is that if they are used too much, then the fibres tend to lose their strength and this compromises the durability of the package. You can invest the same amount in new obsolete boxes and get the benefit of strong cardboard material as these boxes have never been used before. For individual delivery requirements, the new obsolete boxes are perfect because you can use them to pack any item and send it after proper packaging and labelling has been done.

How to Pack Fruits in Corrugated Boxes for Shipping

With the cold winter months coming to an end, nature is getting ready for a bountiful summer with loads of fresh fruits and vegetables. I am sure that most of you have relatives who have their own orchards and send over a lot of fruits to you. It is also possible that you might want to send over fruits to your children who are put up in hostels for pursuing education. The situation does not matter. What matters the most is the delivery of fruits in pristine condition, which can only be achieved through proper packaging. 

Most businesses have their own packaging process where they have an assembly line for packing fruits into customized shipping boxes. But as an individual or a small business, it would not be feasible for you to come up with such an infrastructure. The best way to send the produce safely is to prepare accordingly.

Preparations:

• Check the perishability of the items that you wish to ship. This would help you to understand the storage conditions during transit and the time frame within which the shipment needs to be delivered.

• Get the right packaging materials. By right materials, I mean the ones that will work perfectly with the items to ensure that nothing gets spoilt. Moreover, the materials should also be compatible with the specific storage conditions for the item.

• You might also want to take into consideration the permissible weight of the entire consignment. This would help you to choose between cardboard boxes and wooden crates. Do not worry about durability as this can be factored into the equation carefully by using various techniques.

• Always check with the local authorities for understanding the specific guidelines that have been laid down for shipments involving fruits and other perishables. 

The Packing Process

• The first thing that you need to do is to sort the good fruits from the bad ones. Since the transit involves a couple of days, it won’t be feasible for you to make any compromise at all. If you find fruits that have been bitten by bugs or they show signs of infection, then remove them from the lot lest the others should get contaminated with it. The best selection of fruits involves those which have just started to ripen. By the time the consignment is delivered, the fruits would have ripened completely and the recipient would get fresh products.

• Now, you need to use bubble wrap for wrapping each fruit individually so that damages from collision during movement may be reduced significantly. It is important to cut off the extra ends and seal them properly (as per requirement) to ensure that every fruit is kept safe. 

• With the fruits taken care of, you need to prepare the box. Wooden crates are good but they add a lot of weight to the consignment. You can use cardboard boxes as viable alternatives for it. In either case, the bottom of the box needs to be covered with shipping foam.

The addition of the shipping foam ensures less damage if the package is dropped by accident. Once the fruits have been placed in the box, cover the top and the void with more shipping foam. This should keep the fruits intact during the journey. 

• All that remains to be done now is to close the flaps / lids of the boxes and seal them with packing tape. Don’t forget to tape the seams and other open edges to prevent moisture from damaging the fruits. If it works out, then cover the final package with film or plastic sheet to ensure that no insects may enter the package and damage the produce. 

That should take care of the hassles of packaging. The most important step in the process is sorting the fruits because if any damaged fruit is allowed to remain in the box, then it could damage the other items in the consignment. With that taken care of, it is only a matter of minutes before the items are packed and loaded for shipment. 

5 Factors to Consider for Packing Dangerous Goods

Even though the packaging and shipping of dangerous / hazardous goods is restricted with special permissions being required for undertaking such activities, it is important to get the right packaging materials. Hazardous materials refer to any material that poses a risk (during transit) to the health of people, their safety and the condition of property. 

Even though the materials may have their own packaging (primary) which keeps the contents safe, it is necessary to ensure proper external packaging when the products are shipped. Any damage incurred during the journey could lead to fatal outcomes irrespective of the presence of control agents. 

Getting the right packaging materials is quintessential not only for the safety of the consignment, but also for the safety of all those who are directly exposed to the risk. You should consider the following factors before deciding on the type of packaging that suits your requirements perfectly.

 

Nature of the Materials in the Consignment 

Unless you know the physical characteristics of the materials being shipped, you would not be able to select the right packaging material for the product. Considerations include identifying the state of the material, its density, toxicity, extent of flammability, etc. A good way to approach this would be to refer to an industry standard guide such as GHS where you can access the information provided in the Safety Data Sheets. This should give you all the data with which you would be able to get the correct classification for the item and the relevant precautions that need to be maintained while moving the hazardous material.

 

Quantity of Materials Being Shipped 

Quantity of the hazardous materials plays a major role in the determination of the packaging. If we consider the fact that during transit, the leakage from a single unit of the hazardous material can lead to fatal outcomes, then you can understand the impact of a large quantity of such materials. While it may be difficult to eliminate the risk completely, you can always mitigate it and reduce the impact of such dangerous goods on the environment. Always check on the exact quantity of the materials being shipped and then select the appropriate packaging so that the entire consignment is secured completely.

 

Destination 

Destination refers not only to the port of destination, but also the final destination which could be a specific site or a warehouse. Without proper understanding of the destination, it would be difficult to estimate the distance that the product needs to travel. The entire schedule needs to be prepared for transporting the product from one place to the other and this includes handling, storage, loading / unloading and clearance. The destination should always be defined clearly to avoid any confusion in the packaging requirements and handling methods.

 

Mode of Transportation

You might consider all forms of transportation to require the same type of packaging, but in reality, the packaging needs to be in tandem with the mode of transportation selected. A lot of factors come into play, such as time of journey, frequency of movement / relocation of consignment within the shipping vessel, and the extent of custom clearance requirements. Time is also an important consideration to be made because air transport is the fastest and transporting hazardous materials through this mode would not require extensive packaging unless specific conditions need to be ensured. 

So make sure you plan your packaging after understanding the mode of transportation. The most probable schedule would include multi-modal transport plans so you need to ensure that the packaging is capable of keeping the contents safe while it is moved from one mode to the other.

 

Shipping Environment 

Shipping environment refers to the immediate surroundings that are exposed to the risk of the hazardous materials when the consignment is being moved. Care is usually taken to ensure that the shipping environment is neutral with no impact being made on the contents. However, you need to consider all possible outcomes and in accordance with the plans, you would have to select the packaging materials carefully.

How to Pack Refrigerators for Moving

Everyone, and I mean EVERYONE finds refrigerators one of the toughest things to pack and move. Irrespective of the fact that you may have the best packaging solutions with you, if you do not know the right way to pack the refrigerator, then you could incur some pretty heavy losses. 

Preparations

• You need to plan this in advance as the refrigerator needs to be completely free from moisture before it is packed. Defrost the fridge (if required) and then remove all the components. Remove every food item and beverage that may be in it. 

• Unplug the appliance from the electrical socket. This will prevent any electrical shocks from harming you. Use a clean cloth to wipe everything dry and make sure that no moisture is allowed to remain. 

• All removable components such as baskets and trays should be stacked together and wrapped up appropriately. Do not keep anything inside the refrigerator while transporting it. (In case you need to keep them inside, then make sure you use packing tape to secure everything in its place so that no part moves during the transit.)

The Packing Process

This can be done alone, but it is advisable to have at least one more person with you. If you are not sure about doing it yourselves, then you should seek professional help or else you could damage the unit in the process. 

• Once the refrigerator has been dried and prepared in the manner mentioned above, you need to position it on top of a corrugated sheet. 

• Next, you need to place the pegs under the legs of the refrigerator to prevent it from slipping during the transit. 

• Now cover the entire unit with shrink wrap or plastic sheet. This would prevent moisture from further damaging it. The best way to do this would be to use a roll of wrapping material and then put multiple layers on the appliance. 

• When the refrigerator has been fully covered in plastic wrap, you need to use packing tape to hold everything in place. 

• Once everything is secure, you can either use a compatible cardboard box for storing it, or you could use a corrugated roll for wrapping it multiple times. In both cases, you would have to secure the sides for which you need to fold the corrugated sheets into flattened columns and then place it in the 4 corners. This would protect the edges from possible damage during transportation. 

• Now you need to cover the remaining top portion of the refrigerator. But before you do that, you need to add some thermocol sheets or packing paper as cushioning. 

• With the entire thing covered in corrugated material, you need to pack everything by applying a generous layer of packing tape. Make sure to use a thick tape as it would give better grip and durability. Seal off all the seams by applying tape and ensuring that no open ends are visible. 

• Then use a marker to make the necessary markings and adding the required information in the form of labels. 

• Finish it by applying another layer of plastic film or shrink wrap to keep the corrugated material from getting wet during the transportation. 

• Secure everything with one final application of packing tape and you are good to go.  

5 Packaging Mistakes That You Should Definitely Avoid

When you are sending shipments or even parcels to someone, you cannot afford to make any mistakes. You just cannot afford it. Even a single mistake can cause dire outcomes which not only result in financial losses, but also loss of goodwill. Who would ever want to trade with you if you fail to deliver the first time? 

It is not difficult to manage such issues. All you need to do is to identify the packaging mistake that you are about to commit (or have committed) and take the necessary steps to rectify it. Here are 5 packaging mistakes that you should definitely avoid.

Mistake #1: Getting the Wrong Box Size

The problem with getting the wrong box size is not the inability to make the necessary estimation, rather it highlights the inability to understand which sides need to be measured for getting the dimensions of the box. For example, people consider the longer part of the corrugated wine box to be its depth, when in fact, it is the length. So make sure you understand which side relates to which dimension before taking the measurement for it. Refer to the standard descriptions to know about the referenced dimensions.

Mistake #2: Overlooking the Durability of the Box

You must always choose the box in relation to the weight of the contents and the size of the box. The larger the box, the lower it would be stored in the stack. If your package happens to be the biggest, then other boxes would be stacked on it. This is why you need to use a highly durable packaging material in order to support the weight of the contents and also to support the weight of the packages that would be kept on top of it.

Mistake #3: Using Boxes That Are Compromised

It is good to reuse and recycle as it helps in maintaining a sustainable environment. However, excessive re-using or recycling could compromise the effectiveness of the packaging materials. This increases the risk of damage on the contents due to the use of compromised materials. Moreover, shippers might find it hard to maintain uniformity in the durability of their boxes when they used recycled ones, so additional time is wasted in searching for new ones. Use new boxes if you do not have ones that are strong enough. Never use boxes that have surpassed their usable life. These may be cheap but they will definitely compromise the safety of the contents.

Mistake #4: Using the Wrong Packaging Materials

You need to know exactly what you are shipping and the cushioning materials that would help in providing good protection to the content. Merely putting newsprint or crumpled paper would not do the trick as these tend to get compressed under heavy weight. Instead, you should consider using bubble wraps or packing peanuts. If you are using bio-degradable peanuts, then make sure that no moisture is allowed to seep into the package as it could shrink the peanuts. Whenever you are unsure about the type of packaging material to be used, seek professional advice and help for understanding the type of materials that would fulfil your requirements perfectly.

Mistake #5: Loosely Taping the Materials

Taping the boxes is not an easy job. You need to be careful about the type of tape selected and the way in which the entire package is taped. A 3 inch tape is best for holding things together. If you are using tapes with less width, then you would have to put multiple layers to ensure a firm grip. You also need to check the quality of adhesives used in the tape. It might cost you a little more, but at the end of the day, you won’t have to worry about the package breaking down or opening up during transit. 

Why is the Popular Pizza Box Not a Sustainable Packaging?

Can you recycle pizza boxes? Now this is a question that really gets you confused. At first thought, you would think that the box is perfectly recyclable because it is made from cardboard. But the fact is that pizza boxes that have been used even once, cannot be recycled whatsoever. 

What’s the Problem?

As long as the box is unused, it can be recycled. But the moment you put food on it, the grease from the oil and fats (in the food) seeps into the cardboard material and it is impossible to get this out. If you send such contaminated material into recycling, then the fibres would not be able to separate from the oil during the pulping stage of the recycling process. 

The problem with sending a contaminated pizza box is that even a small piece can ruin a perfectly recyclable batch and this would lead to loss of resources and money. There is no sense in causing more damage than what has already been inflicted on the environment. It would not have been a problem if the consumption of such boxes was not so widespread. If you find this hard to believe, just visit your local garbage collection centre and you would come to know about the huge quantities of pizza boxes (contaminated with cheese and oils) that are thrown away. 

The Solution

The most effective solution is to spread awareness about the contamination of the pizza box and its impact on the recyclability of the material. Although you can never avoid the use of such boxes, you can always turn to greener options. Many companies have started using compostable containers and specially designed recyclable-friendly pizza boxes that do not have a negative impact on the environment. Such efforts go a long way in ensuring optimal utilization of available resources without having to sacrifice convenience or comfort. 

How to Recycle Packing Peanuts

They are really fun to play with and kids absolutely love them. The reference here is for packing peanuts. You must have seen them in packages that contain delicate items. These packing peanuts act as cushioning materials just like crushed wrapping paper, but with the added benefit that they are better at filling up voids. 

Packing peanuts are made up of expanded polystyrene (a.k.a plastic #6),and is really helpful in keeping the contents of the package intact. But the widespread usage of this cushioning material gives nightmares to recyclers as it is unclear whether the material can be recycled in the first place. The reason behind the confusion lies in the fact that the peanuts are made from polystyrene and this could make it unrecyclable. But this is not the case!

EPS is recyclable and there are processes which can make the most optimal usage of the material. The issue lies in the acceptance of the material where most curbside options refuse to accept it. Moreover, it is also possible that there might be limited recycling facilities in your region. In case you are not able to get access to either drop off / curbside facility, then you can use a mail back program to ensure that the material is disposed properly. 

The light weight of the peanuts makes it feasible to ship it to a regional recycling facility. But most people would not consider this option. It is more convenient for them to drop off the materials at a local facility. The world has not advanced to a stage where people would go to such lengths to ensure ecological protection. 

In such cases, the most viable option is re-using the packing peanuts. There is nothing complex about reusing it. Just collect all the peanuts from the package in which they arrive and then fill them in the package that you wish to send. If you do not have any use for it, then you can always donate it to the local shipping stores as this would reduce the requirement for using fresh packing peanuts for the packages. 

Always make it a point to conserve such material as much as possible because they can be put to good use and you would play your part in contributing towards encouraging green initiatives.

How to Pack Mattresses and Bed Frames Correctly

When it comes to your bedroom, you are more than often stressed mainly because you find packing the mattress and bed frames to be a daunting task. Trust me, it isn’t as difficult as it looks. The trick lies in using the right techniques and getting the right supplies (corrugated boxes, tapes, etc.) for packing it correctly.

Preparations

You need to keep the following things handy before you start packing. If you do not have the time to go and get the materials yourself, then you can always order the requirements from online packaging materials suppliers.

• Plastic Mattress Bag
• Mattress Box (Cardboard box with the dimensions of a regular mattress)
• Moving Blankets
• Small Plastic Bags
• A Roll of Packing Tape
• A Permanent Marker

The Packing Process

Remember, mattresses and bed frames are heavy and would need more than one person to get the job done. So do not make the mistake of doing it alone (unless you are secretly a Hulk).

• Packing the Mattress

Start by removing all the bedding from the mattress. The bedding would be packed separately so there is no need to include this extra load.

Remove the mattresses from the frame and place them in appropriately sized mattress boxes. For added protection, you can always put the mattresses in plastic mattress bags before putting them in the box. This will keep them from getting dirty and damaged.

Each mattress box should be sealed properly and labelled with the required information. While sealing the box, make sure you cover the seams as well as this would prevent any moisture from damaging the contents.

• Packing the Bed Frame

With the mattress removed, you can start disassembling the bed frame. Be careful while removing the separate pieces. Hardware like screws, wheels and small pieces need to be placed in small plastic bags. This will keep them together without any risk of loss. Ideally, you should have one bag of hardware for each bed. 

Once you have packed the hardware in plastic bags, you can either tape it to any piece of the bed frame, or you could pack it in a box with appropriate labels to avoid any confusion later. 

The larger pieces of the bed frame, such as mattress support beams and side pieces can be bundled together and supported with tape. 

Wrap the taped support beams and the main frame in moving blankets and then it should be ready for loading into the moving truck. The blankets can be taped or tied to the frame to ensure that nothing moves around and everything is secured. 

Just follow these simple steps and ask your friends or family members to help, and you should get your bedroom packed quickly. Never try to do this alone as it could cause accidents. With proper preparation and little precaution, packing your bedroom would never appear to be daunting again. 

How to Pack Books

Readers around the world might have gotten used to ebooks and digital text, but nothing beats the experience of holding a book in your hand and flipping across those faintly aromatic pages. You just can’t replace books irrespective of the extent to which technology has been integrated in our lives. 

Every day, hundreds of books are moved from one place to other. Even if we think beyond transportation requirement of books, there are many who would prefer storing them till the time they are actually needed. In both conditions, it is important to pack and store the books safely to minimize risks of damage to them. if you don’t pack the books properly, then moving the books can prove to be a daunting task that you would definitely not like to undertake. 

Just follow these tips and you should be able to pack the books without any trouble. 

1. Start with a good cardboard box. It should not be too big or too small. Just get one that feels right. Anyways, you don’t have to stuff the box completely with books, so a little space left on top should be much of a problem. 
2. Start by reinforcing the bottom of the box with two layers of packing tape. Make sure you tape all the seams so that the bottom is secured completely.
3. Line the inside of the box with a layer of crushed packing paper. Crushed packing paper is the best option for providing cushioning to the contents and also for filling up the void. 
4. The next step involves sorting the books by size and preferably, their type (hardback, paperback, etc). This would make it easy for you to arrange them in the box and ensure better storage safety. 
5. Hardback books need to be placed spine to spine while paperbacks should be stacked vertically. Special books and important resources should be wrapped in packing paper and taped off before putting them in the box. 
6. The most common ways of packing books includes the standing position, stacked and spine down placement. 

• For the standing arrangement, place the books just like you would do in a shelf. Make sure the pages are directed towards the outside walls of the box with the spine facing inward. For a second row, repeat the process with the spines touching each other this time. If you have room for a third row, separate it by using some packing paper. 
• For stacked arrangement, place the pages towards the external wall with the spines facing inwards. Fill in the gaps with crushed packing paper. 
• For the spine down position, the spines need to be touching the base with the pages directed towards the top. While this may be a good option, but you won’t be able to fit in as many books as is made possible with other arrangement methods. To finish up, place some crushed packing paper on top and then close the box. 
• Once you have placed the books in the box along with the required cushioning, tape it off and seal the ends carefully. 
• Mark and label the box and you are good to go. 

Now that the books are packed and prepared, you can either store them in your storeroom or you can send them off on their new destination without worry too much about damages. With such carefully selected packaging supplies and creative packaging solutions, your books will never be subjected to damage ever again. 

How to Pack and Move Your LCD TV Safely

The thing with electronic items is that if you don’t pack them properly before shipping them out, you risk damaging the contents. The humble LCD TV is probably one of the most challenging electronic items to be packed. It was difficult moving the CRT televisions alone, and now the advent of thinner (yet fragile) large screened LCD / LED televisions make it even more difficult to pack and transport it safely. 

Before deciding on the best way to pack and move your LCD / LED TV, it is important to conclude whether this particular item can be shipped on its side or it needs to be kept upright. While there should not be a problem if you transport a modern flat screen television on its side, the issue lies in the fact that the entire weight of the TV comes on to the delicate screen and this increases the risk of damage when jerks are experienced during transit. By using proper cushioning (bubble wrap), it is possible to give adequate protection to the entire package such that it can be placed upright or on its side. However, it is not feasible to take such a risk. 

The best way to pack your LCD / LED television is to choose the packaging materials carefully and to consult with professional packers and movers for understanding the packaging requirements of the flat TV. Check out the following steps which should help you get started with packing.

·         Nowadays, it is possible to get storage boxes and bubble wraps online so you don’t have to visit a retail store to get your stuff. But if you are in a hurry, then you might have to visit one to get the materials.

·         A specific custom box would be the best choice for packing the TV. In case you are not able to get your hands on one, then get a few pieces of strong cardboard that have enough length to cover the edges of the television. There is no point in leaving out the edges and exposing them to any risk during transit.

·         It is advisable to tape off the cardboard pieces to the edges as this will keep the protectors in place.

·         In terms of padding or cushioning, you should use at least 2 layers of foam and / or bubble wrap (as per requirement and feasibility). Make sure you provide enough padding so that the unit does not move around during transit.

·         You would also need to procure heavy moving pads and drape it around your television. This will protect it from “shifting loads” and keep your television safe. 

These are the basic packaging requirements for modern LED / LCD televisions. With a little precaution and some careful preparation, it should be possible to pack and move your television without incurring damages.