Summary
Today the term packaging has become the most popular and important part of the eCommerce warehouse market.
The business should construct its packaging so that the things can be conveniently stacked on pallets to maximize a warehouse’s storage capacity.
Read this blog post to discover how firms can optimize packaging and seamlessly boost their business ROI by eliminating packaging waste.
Introduction
Anyone who works in a warehouse should make reducing packaging waste a top priority. The package’s original purpose was to safeguard an object while it was being handled or shipped. However, packaging can be very ornate; for the consumer, it might be a work of art to persuade them to buy something. An item’s packing should be adequate for businesses to prevent significant damage during storage. The reduction in packaging waste can also result in a smaller freight footprint, which frees up space in your warehouse or distribution center, saves money on packing supplies, and even saves you money on shipping, especially now that parcel and LTL carriers are increasingly calculating charges by parcel/package DIMS.
So, in what ways can you reduce packaging waste?
Below listed are the five ways you can utilize to cut down packaging waste in your warehouse:
So, in what ways can you reduce packaging waste?
A topsy-turvy warehouse facilitates a not-good-enough client experience. With the automated warehouse, we can quickly complete several warehouse operations within a projected time.
Accurately dimension your products
Small items packaged in large boxes are wasteful of both materials and money and look ridiculous to consumers. You need to know the exact size of your products to ensure they fit in the right size box. With a tape measure or ruler, you can easily accomplish this task by hand in low-volume shipping operations. Investments in automated dimensioning solutions make sense in high-volume operations. You can use these dimensioning systems to optimize packing, storing, and sorting within your warehouse by measuring items in a matter of seconds and feeding those parcel measurements directly into your warehouse management system. These automated dimensioning systems make measuring faster and easier by shutting the doors of calibration and transposition errors.
Take advantage of Cartonization software
Cartonization software assists you in deciding how best to pack pallets and boxes. Given the type and number of products that need to be accommodated, they ensure that boxes are packed to their maximum capacity using the dimensional information your automated dimensioning systems took. Also, reconfirm that your measurements are precise because these automated dimensioning systems operate better with accurate measurements. Not using cartonization software may let hundreds or thousands of dollars leave your building every day.
Ensure there are no loose fillers
Overstuffed pallets and boxes are more likely to be damaged than their appropriately packed counterparts because they might be oddly shaped and difficult to handle. Be sure to preserve your merchandise while shipping, but don’t go overboard. Use the least amount necessary for protection while selecting the appropriate filler for the task. You can also leverage automated dimensioning systems to calibrate precise parcel measurements to minimize the fillers as per the product’s safety.
Employ sustainable packaging
Single-use packaging materials, non-recyclable, used to be much cheaper than recycled alternatives. But things are changing now. There are more green packaging options available, and in many cases, they are priced at the same level as conventional packing supplies.
Prior to placing your next order of packaging supplies, explore environmentally friendly options such as corrugated bubble wrap, green wrap, biodegradable air pillows and wraps, and even packing peanuts produced from corn starch.
Making use of eco-friendly packaging materials can benefit your brand in addition to lowering your carbon impact. Businesses that promote their sustainability initiatives gain customers and kudos from consumers.
Reuse Packaging & Transport Materials
Most businesses currently recycle some of their packing and shipping supplies, but the ones that take it seriously save the most money over time. Additionally, both small and large businesses can profit. Reusing packaging materials minimizes trash disposal expenses, increases product longevity, and reduces the number of replacement products you need to purchase.
Nevertheless, every company is unique. Some people will be better than others at reusing resources. For instance, companies in closed transport networks may find it simpler to reuse resources because they are simpler to track and account for throughout the process. On the other hand, reusing materials will be more challenging for companies that work with numerous suppliers and carriers where goods are regularly transferred. The secret is to pinpoint specific areas of your business or facilities where reuse might make a difference, then move forward.
Educate Your Staff
Your workers can make a big difference in cutting down on packaging waste. If garbage is produced or improperly disposed of, it may be because your workforce is unaware of the waste disposal procedure your business employs. The greatest thing you could do is teach your team how to reduce packaging waste. Training your team will significantly help cut down on manufacturing and packaging waste.
In addition to preserving the environment, reducing waste and disposing of it responsibly will benefit your company financially over the long and short term. Sustainability and corporate responsibility will be promoted by using sustainable packaging and encouraging your staff to adopt healthy habits targeted at reducing packaging waste throughout the packaging lifecycle. From a business perspective, you can invest in a robust solution like automated dimensioning systems to eliminate manual dimensioning and boost workspace productivity.
Conclusion
A necessary component of warehouse and distribution centers is the packaging. You don’t have to buy an outrageously expensive part, so don’t worry. Additionally, cutting packaging costs should not compromise your products’ security and integrity. Instead, reducing the cost of your packaging necessitates a thorough analysis of your current practices.
