Reducing The Risk Of Product And Package Damage During Transit

The state of a product package gets immediate attention from a consumer. According to an estimate, UPS and FedEx transport over 14 million packages every day. This number continues to rise.

The outer packaging, which usually consists of cardboard, is the first thing that a consumer gets in their hands. It is the first physical interaction between a consumer and an e-commerce brand. Consumers become unhappy when they receive an unsealed, damaged, or otherwise impaired product box.

On the other hand, more issues tend to arise during product shipping from manufacturing units to distribution centers. Not configuring large pallets or other shipping loads correctly can result in product damages, causing distribution centers having to reject those damaged products or packages. This overall phenomenon leads to product loss and transit costs. That’s where it becomes necessary to ensure product protection during transit.

Material damage

Both primary and secondary packaging materials can help increase a product’s resistance to damages that tend to occur during transit. That is why it is crucial to choose the best packaging materials to reduce the risk of damage. A few factors to consider in this regard are the following.

• Improper use of stretch wrap can result in an increased product’s vulnerability to damage. This problem occurs when the film is not compatible with the wrapping machine. The strength of the film is also a significant factor in this regard. Remember, using the correct stretch wrap film can reduce the risk of product damage up to 50%.
• The durability of your package depends on flute patterns and the overall thickness of the outer packaging wall. You have to see whether you need to chip heavy products that need a sturdier outer packaging or small products that may benefit from the outer packaging design.
• To create an optimum seal, you have to choose the right tape. Remember, not all tape is created equally, so choosing the type that fits your needs is critical. You will also have to choose from several tape dispensing options. Factors that you have to consider while selecting tape are the product lifecycle, shipping distance, climate, and the surface of the outer packaging.
• When you are preparing products for transit, the most crucial aspect to take care of is the use of protective packaging. Using wrong void-fill solutions will not only increase costs unnecessarily but also make the product more susceptible to damage. Make sure to evaluate your product and its outer packaging to see whether you need bubble wrap, airbags, or packing peanuts.

Transportation hazards

Once your products are dispatched from the distribution center, they are up for a rigorous journey, which can be hostile to your product in every way possible. That is why it is necessary to optimize your product packaging according to conditions it may be subjected to during transit.

If your product has to travel through land routes, you have to protect it from vibration. Using packaging solutions that absorb vibration and fastening your packages tightly can help prevent damage to your products.

Fragile warnings on boxes can help a lot, but many handlers do not pay much attention to those signs. This carelessness or poor handling can result in product damage. Using protective packaging and edge-protectors can help keep fragile products safe.

While packaging your products, make sure to consider every product damage possibility. This way, you will know what materials to ensure optimum protection of your goods.

Important Eco-friendly Packaging Terms

Eco-friendly packaging is a topic that continues to make headlines. Whether you an e-commerce brand or a retailer that ships directly from the store, you have to work on eco-friendly packaging options. The good news is that there are plenty of options to choose from. The fundamental thing, however, is to get familiar with eco-friendly packaging basics. That is why we are going to discuss some necessary eco-friendly packaging terms.

Bioplastics

Products made from alternative resources are known as bioplastics. These alternative resources could include oils and fats instead of customary fossil fuel plastics. Bioplastics are used for manufacturing several packaging products such as trays, bags, foils, and many more.

Environmental Protection Hierarchy

Environmental Protection Hierarchy, or EPA, is a systematized approach towards the prevention of pollution. This hierarchy provides a guide to how to go for more preferable packaging options. It provides a top-to-bottom list of those options, with the most preferable options on top and the least preferable options at the bottom.

Pollution prevention is often discussed with the EPA. This strategy involves the discussion of any method that can help reduce or eliminate pollution.

Carbon footprint

Carbon footprint refers to the amount of carbon dioxide an individual or organization produces to maintain their lifestyle or perform critical operations for a specific amount of time. The size of carbon footprint can range from an organism or person to a city, state, or country with everything in it. Factors that contribute to carbon footprint include production, energy consumption, and transportation.

Microplastics

Plastics, ending up in the ocean, are demolished by water currents. These tiny fragments of plastic distribute across a large area of the ocean. The reason these are called microplastics is that they are usually invisible to the human eye. They contribute to a bigger pollution problem in the ocean.

Organic

While it is one of the most common terms, it is over misused and overused in the packaging industry. If you want your product item, whether food or non-food, to pass the USDA standards for organic labeling, you have to make sure that it meets certain criteria. These criteria recommend manufacturing companies to ensure the non-inclusion of genetically modified organisms. Moreover, the product must comply with the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances.

LEED for Existing Buildings

The US Green Building Council has formulated green protocols to help building owners adhere to eco-friendly operations and practices. These protocols include LED lighting options, HVAC requirements, skylights, water consumption standards, delivery regulations, and many more.

Bottom line

The good thing is that consumers are showing interest in green options. They demand brands to use eco-friendly manufacturing and packaging options to keep the environment safe. Many consumers do not purchase from brands that fail to adhere to green protocols.

If you are a product manufacturing or packaging company, make sure to use eco-friendly packaging options not just to keep your customers happy but also to save the environment. You may want to discuss your requirements with your packaging vendor.