| Each year the UK produces around 10 million | | | | moisture, fat, and some acids, solvents and |
| tonnes of waste packaging. Approximately 83% is | | | | chemicals. They do not attract dust like cardboard |
| sent to landfill sites, which leach poisonous gases | | | | cartons, have smooth edges that eliminate bug |
| and chemicals into the ground and atmosphere. | | | | traps, and are simple to clean. This means plastic |
| 9% is incinerated, releasing concentrated doses of | | | | boxes can be used repeatedly with little chance of |
| carbon dioxide into the air. This contributes to | | | | contamination. |
| global warming, which is changing the world's | | | | Hygiene is essential when transporting food and |
| climate. Just 8% of waste packaging is recycled. | | | | beverages. Food distributors must ensure |
| These alarming figures are at the centre of | | | | products reach the consumer in pristine condition |
| growing environmental concerns. | | | | and are subject to a multitude of well-enforced |
| The Packaging Waste Directive aims to manage | | | | regulations. Plastic boxes are ideal and double as |
| packaging waste in the EU and tackle its impact | | | | retail display cases, so products like fresh fruit and |
| on the environment. Amended in 2004, it sets | | | | produce can travel straight to the shop floor, |
| strict packaging recovery and recycling targets | | | | cutting transport and packaging costs. |
| for UK businesses. The simplest way to comply | | | | Security is another advantage of returnable plastic |
| with this legislation is to avoid packaging waste in | | | | packaging. Reusable plastic containers are rigid, |
| the first place, rather than dispose of it later. This | | | | protecting goods in transit from knocks and rough |
| makes returnable packaging an environmentally | | | | handling. They are stackable, eliminating product |
| friendly, cost effective choice. | | | | damage from crushing, a common and often |
| Taking over from traditional forms of packaging, | | | | expensive problem with cardboard packaging. |
| such as cardboard cartons, reusable plastic boxes | | | | Unlike cardboard cartons, plastic boxes endure |
| are proving increasingly popular in the | | | | weathering, offering superior product protection. |
| manufacturing and distribution industries. Reuse is | | | | Retail containers often feature locking |
| proven superior to recycling - but why? All wood | | | | mechanisms, which prevent accidental or |
| used to manufacture cardboard and corrugated | | | | unauthorised opening. Due to the heightened risk |
| packaging eventually ends up as solid waste or is | | | | of terrorism, distributors increasingly demand this |
| incinerated, even if it is recycled several times | | | | level of security, especially those that ship |
| first. Returnable packaging reduces waste and is a | | | | overseas. |
| far more efficient sustainable solution. | | | | Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) and other |
| Cardboard is made largely of wood and timber | | | | forms of electronic tagging allow the tracking of |
| reserves are diminishing rapidly. Demand far | | | | reusable plastic boxes over a vast area. It is |
| outweighs the supply and the world's forests are | | | | possible to manage a whole fleet from a single |
| being cut down faster than they can grow. | | | | computer and pinpoint the exact location of |
| Forests help stabilise the world's climate and | | | | specific crates. This is particularly useful when |
| prevent soil erosion, so cardboard packaging is | | | | shipping high value goods the loss of which would |
| coming under scrutiny, and rising timber prices are | | | | come at a high cost. RFID means companies can |
| undermining its economical advantages. Using | | | | position their containers to meet the day-to-day |
| returnable plastic boxes protects the world's | | | | needs of the business, increasing efficiency in the |
| forests by conserving valuable wood supplies. | | | | supply chain. |
| Reusable plastic boxes have an average lifespan | | | | Pharmaceutical companies use RFID to identify |
| of ten years, during which time one crate can | | | | counterfeit drug shipments and combat illegal drug |
| eliminate approximately 400 cardboard boxes | | | | trafficking, which improves patient safety. Its |
| from landfill. If 250,000 are in use at any one | | | | return on investment is also significant through |
| time, this will eliminate 10 million boxes each year | | | | improved inventory management and |
| or over 100 million boxes in the containers' | | | | product-recall capability. |
| lifetime. At the end of their useful lifespan, | | | | Publicity is an important feature of returnable |
| reusable plastic boxes are easily recyclable. With | | | | plastic packaging. Containers can be manufactured |
| an efficient recycling program in operation, their | | | | in corporate colours and carry the company's |
| reuse capacity is almost infinite. This has a | | | | name and logo printed or embossed on the side. |
| positive impact on the environment. | | | | This is increasingly popular with retail businesses |
| Most cardboard packaging needs replacing after | | | | that want to increase their professional profiles |
| just one trip and its disposal cost is increasing. | | | | without additional advertising costs. |
| Reusable plastic boxes are far more cost | | | | More and more companies are turning to |
| effective over their working lives and habitually | | | | returnable plastic boxes, as their benefits are |
| out-live their projected life span by many years. | | | | becoming abundantly clear. Suitable for a wide |
| Their initial price is coming down and companies | | | | range of applications, they are replacing traditional |
| often find additional uses for their containers, | | | | forms of packaging like cardboard. |
| making payback periods shorter. | | | | Returnable plastic boxes make for cleaner, safer, |
| The plastic manufacturing process is highly | | | | well-ordered working environments. This means |
| efficient and environmentally friendly. It generates | | | | improved inventory control, better product flow |
| fewer gas emissions than cardboard manufacture | | | | and efficient running. With environmental |
| or recycling, and uses less fossil fuel. | | | | awareness a hot topic, returnable packaging is an |
| Returnable plastic boxes are hygienic and resist | | | | attractive, realistic option. |