Strategies to reduce the consumption of single-use plastics with the goal of achieving zero waste often focus on reusable products. Reuse may not be feasible for all types of packaging, but it can nevertheless lead to significant waste reductions and a much more reasonable consumption of natural resources.
Find out what you should consider when choosing reusable packaging.
Reusable packaging should be made of durable material
In order to be used repeatedly, packaging supplies should be made of a material that will withstand the elements and last over time.
While many plastics from the petrochemical industry possess these highly sought-after properties, in practice they are so durable that they are virtually indestructible. They therefore become a major environmental problem when they can’ t be recycled.
The best approach is therefore to choose packaging made of resistant materials, but which is also recyclable or biodegradable. For example, glass containers have an excellent lifespan and can be recycled.
Wood crates are another example of packaging that has outstanding durability, but is not likely to pollute ecosystems for centuries to come because they are made of an organic and therefore biodegradable material.
The packaging closure system should maintain its effectiveness
To be fully effective, reusable packaging must be able to retain its properties over time. Often, packaging that can only be used once is equipped with a closure system that has a very limited shelf life. For example, many containers will not remain watertight for long, which can affect the storage of some food or items that are more susceptible to corrosion.
The use of containers with unscrewable lids or crates with fasteners made of a material as strong as the packaging itself is therefore preferable.
You should be able to easily store the packaging
To ensure that it is actually reused many times, packaging should be designed to be stored easily, without using too much space. This way, it will be much less bulky and can be stored without any problems until its next use.
In the case of containers or bins, the ability to stack them becomes an important advantage. Moreover, some types of crates can be completely dismantled, offering the ability to transport or store them very easily.
Creopack, a company that offers many types of reusable packaging
In conclusion, packaging must have certain key features to be reused repeatedly. Among these, being made of a durable or recyclable material, having a closure system that maintains its efficiency and the ability to be stored easily are undoubtedly the most important.
For several years, Creopack has been a leader in waste reduction and the reduction of single-use packaging by offering packaging that can be used several times without losing its effectiveness. This is precisely what our reusable shipping crates offer.
Contact our team to learn more about this unique crate that can be stored flat, assembled without nails or screws and opened without difficulty.