WORKSHOP: REUSABLE TRANSPORT PACKAGING – 2-Page Background
Information
CONTACT: Justin Lehrer, StopWaste Partnership, 510-891-6500 x129,
jlehrer@stopwaste.org
The StopWaste Partnership has joined forces with the Reusable Packaging Association
(RPA) to make reusable transport packaging more readily available to Bay Area
businesses and organizations.
The StopWaste Partnership is encouraging businesses that ship frequently to switch
from single or limited use packaging to reusables; a move that will not only conserve
natural resources but also trim company costs.
The StopWaste Partnership is interested in helping companies learn more about the
cost-effective, long-term benefits of shipping and receiving using reusable transport
packaging.
The RPA, based in Washington, D.C., has been advocating the growth of reusable
transport packaging in North America since 2000. StopWaste has teamed up with the
organization to bring technical know-how on reusables and to spread its cause in the
Bay Area.
While reusables are an effective solution to a company’s high-volume shipping needs,
it’s not always clear what they are and how they might change a company’s receiving
and distribution. This backgrounder will answer the most commonly asked questions
relating to reusable transport packaging.
Q: Are reusables more expensive than one-time or limited-use packaging?
A: Because initial costs for reusable transport packaging are often higher than one-time
or limited use packaging, many companies are hesitant to make the switch. What many
don’t realize, though, is that reusables pay off in the long run; the long-term savings far
outweigh the initial investment. Reusable transport packaging eliminates the need to
repeatedly purchase and handle one-time or limited use packaging, conserving energy,
reducing greenhouse gases and cutting company costs.
Q: What other ways can reusables support the bottom line while also positively
impacting the environment?
A: Reusable transport packaging reduces the labor required in the use of one-time or
limited use packaging. Benefits include: improved ergonomics, worker safety, fewer
shipping errors, better protection of goods being shipped, reductions of packaging
material and waste management costs, and less waste.
Q: What types of packing materials and containers are classified as reusable transport
packaging?
A: Containers, totes, and pallets that can be cleaned, repaired (as needed) and reused
are consider reusables. Reusables are often made of durable plastic, metal, or wood,
and often incorporate recycled content. Using reusables conserves the energy that
would be required in the manufacturing of single use boxes, plastic wrap and less
durable pallets, as well as the energy that would be needed to break down and recycle
those materials. Shipping with reusables utilizes the same containers time after time,
saving both energy and money.
Q: What kind of companies are ideal candidates for reusable transport packaging?
A: Any company or organization that ships frequently—in-house or out—is a great
candidate. Reusable transport packaging works best with companies that ship via a
closed loop or open managed loop system. Companies that ship via an open managed
loop tend to outsource the management of the reusable containers to a pooling agent,
ensuring they flow through the system properly and are inspected, cleaned and repaired
as needed.
The following types of businesses can often benefit from switching to reusables:

Manufacturing – Electronics and computer manufacturers and assemblers,
automotive parts manufacturers and automotive assembly plants and
pharmaceutical manufacturers, among many others.

Food and beverage – Food and beverage manufacturers and distributors; meat
and poultry producers; processors and distributors; produce growers; field
processing and distribution; grocery store suppliers of bakery, dairy, meat and
produce; bakery and dairy deliveries; and candy and chocolate manufacturers.

Retail and consumer product distribution – Department store chains, superstores
and club stores, retail pharmacies, magazine and book distributors, fast food
retailers, restaurant chains and suppliers, food service companies and airline
caterers.

Healthcare – Hospitals, pharmacies, and suppliers to healthcare organizations.
Q: How does reusable transport packaging work for companies that ship using pallets?
Typically, companies employ the services of a pallet rental service to outsource the
logistics of pallet management to a third-party pooling management company. Pallets
are delivered to a company, palletized products are shipped through its distribution chain
and then the rental service picks up the empty pallets and returns them to service
centers for inspection and repair.