Reusable packaging

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.{{Citation | last = Twede | first = D | chapter = Logistical/Distribution Packaging | editor-last = Yam | editor-first = K L | title = Encyclopedia of Packaging Technology | publisher = Wiley | date = 2009 | isbn = 978-0-470-08704-6}} A return, reconditioning, and reuse system can save money on the cost per shipment and can reduce the environmental footprint of the packaging.{{Citation | last = Ernst & Young Accountants | title = Life Cycle Assessment of Newly Manufactured and Reconditioned Industrial Packaging | year = 2014 | publisher = Reusable Industrial Packaging Association | url = http://www.reusablepackaging.org/wp-content/uploads/Life-Cycle-Analysis-Report-2014.pdf}}{{cite journal | last =Zimmerman | first =T | title =Single-use vs. reusable packaging in e-commerce: comparing carbon footprints and identifying break-even points | journal =GAIA | volume =29 | issue =3 | pages =176–173 | date =2020 | doi =10.14512/gaia.29.3.8 | s2cid =235861717 | url = https://oekopol.de/src/files/Carbon-Footprint-Comparison-of-Single-Use-vs.-Reusable-Packaging.pdf | access-date = 7 May 2023 }}

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 radio-frequency identification (RFID) chips to help identify and route the containers.

Keg1.jpg|A typical keg (half-barrel) with a single opening in the center of the top end

Compressed gas cylinders.mapp and oxygen.triddle.jpg|Industrial compressed gas cylinders

Drum (container).jpg|Steel drums can be reconditioned and reused

Innerspace cases stormcase.JPG|Plastic molded transit case with pre-cut foam interior

Serie r klt 6429.png|Returnable/reusable plastic tote box, Euro container

JNR Vegetable-oil Container.jpg|Container for bulk vegetable oil

A1210.jpg|Heavy-duty reusable wooden pallet

Fruit field bin 5180.JPG|Reusable field bins for fruit

Versandturm voll.jpg|Stackable plastic containers

Meny supermarket grocery store Tønsberg Norway carrots gulrøtter tilbud plakat 2017-09-20 01.jpg|Carrots on display in returnable plastic bins

Automotive original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) 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:

{{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.{{Cite web|url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201719/cmselect/cmenvfru/2080/208002.htm|title=Plastic food and drink packaging|date=12 September 2019|website=Publications.parliament.uk}}

Lots of tupperware.jpg|Home storage containers

MilkMan.JPG|Delivering milk in India in reusable stainless steel containers

Glass milk bottles.jpg|Reusable milk bottles and carrier

GreenBag.jpg|Reusable shopping bag

HotRedJam.jpg|Mason jars for canning

Woda.mineralna.w.skrzynkach.jpg|Glass bottles of mineral water in crates

Ornaments in Boxes.jpg|Christmas tree ornaments in storage boxes

Refill soap.jpg|Refillable liquid soap dispenser

French kilner.jpg|Flip-top or bail closure on storage jar

Gas grill 20170807.jpg|Gass grill with reusable liquefied petroleum gas cylinder

{{Main|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. Steel drums can be reused as traffic barricades, dock flotation, and as musical instruments

Milk_Crates_Furniture.jpg#file|Furniture made from milk crates

Working old man carrying buckets.jpg|Pails being reused to carry other items

cmglee Container City 2.jpg|Architecture with intermodal shipping containers

Jorena Pettway making flower decorations for her home in Gee's Bend, Alabama.jpg|Woman sewing chair covers, bedspread, and other things made from cotton flour sacks in Alabama

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.{{cite journal | last = Twede | first =S | title =Supply Chain Issues in Reusable Packaging | journal =Journal of Marketing Channels | date =2004 | pages =7–26 | volume = 12 | issue = 1 | doi =10.1300/J049v12n01_02 | s2cid =153350817}} 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.{{Cite book | last = Tomey | first = R D | chapter = Returnable Packaging Components in Physical Distribution Systems | editor-last = Fiedler | editor-first = R M | title = Distribution Packaging Technology | publisher = Institute of Packaging Professionals | date = 1995}}{{Cite book | last = Harder | first = MS | chapter = How to Develop a Returnable Pack for Multiple Plant Use | editor-last = Fiedler | editor-first = R M | title = The Best of TransPack | publisher = Institute of Packaging Professionals | date = 1996}}

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.{{cite journal | last =Mata | first =T M | title = Life cycle assessment of different reuse percentages for glass beer bottles | journal =International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment | volume =6 | issue =5 | pages =58–63 | date =2001 | doi=10.1007/BF02978793| s2cid =111259179 }}{{Citation | last =Spitzly | first =David | year =1997 | title =Life Cycle Design of Milk and Juice Packaging | publisher =U.S. Environmental Protection Agency | url =http://www.umich.edu/~nppcpub/research/milkjuice.pdf| access-date =29 June 2014}}{{Citation |last= Singh|first=J | author2 =Krasowski, Singh |date=January 2011 |title= Life cycle inventory of HDPE bottle-based liquid milk packaging systems | journal = Packaging Technology and Science |volume=24 |pages= 49–60|doi=10.1002/pts.909|citeseerx=10.1.1.1029.2590 |s2cid=6850034 }}{{Citation |last=Van Doorsselaer |first=K | author2 = Fox |year= 2000|title=Estimation of the energy needs in life cycle analysis of one-way and returnable glass packaging | journal = Packaging Technology and Science |pages=235–239 |doi=10.1002/(SICI)1099-1522(199909/10)12:5<235::AID-PTS474>3.0.CO;2-W |volume=12 |issue=5 }}

• Pallet crafts
• {{section link|Economics of plastics processing|Reusable plastic containers}}
• Resealable packaging
• Reverse logistics
• Shaker-style pantry box
• Systainer
• Closed-loop box reuse
• 32 mm cabinetmaking system, a standard for shelving

• Design Criteria for Specialized Shipping Containers, US DoD, Mil-Std 648D, 1999, [http://www.chassis-plans.com/PDF/MIL-STD-648D.pdf]
• 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

• [http://www.palletcentral.com/ National Wooden Pallet and Container Association]
• [http://www.reusables.org/ Reusable Packaging Association]
• [http://www.reusablepackaging.org/ Reusable Industrial Packaging Association]

{{packaging}}{{Recycling}}

Category:Brand management

Category:Product management

Category:Reuse

Category:Containers