Closed-loop box reuse
Closed Loop Box Reuse, is the process by which boxes or other containers are reused many times. It is a form of reusable packaging.[1]
This is sometimes suited to a large business where containers are used and reused within the location; the custody of containers stays in secure control. Business-to-business commerce also allows controlled return by reverse logistics; a “closed system” and a circular life cycle. Containers may be constructed of corrugated fiberboard, corrugated plastic, molded plastic, or other materials. Identification of containers by labels, bar codes, various colored latches or RFID chips[2] is common.
Description
When closed loop supply chains[3] exist or can be created during work in process or progress, boxes are frequently opened and closed to remove and replace contents for inspections, calibration, testing, quality assurance, powder coating or other purposes. Eliminating tape during this process eliminates human injuries from box cutters, blades and knives as well as eliminating damage to box contents.
A means of closing the containers is usually needed such as lids, covers, straps, staples, tape, latches, clips, bands, Hook-and-loop fasteners, etc. When using devices that hold flaps down and out of the way, they can be stacked and stored open or moved about on carts, conveyors, trucks or pallets while remaining open. This saves time and labor while enhancing [{sustainability]} by reusing clips and undamaged boxes. It is important that these temporary means of closure and reopening does not deface or damage the cartons.
At endpoints in these single or multi-site linear or circular closed loops, the temporary closures are removed for reuse and boxes taped for secure shipping to their next or a final destination.
Alternatively, these fiberboard boxes may be collapsed with their closing devices attached and returned to the loop origin in a flattened manner. This reduces time and spares human injuries caused by cutting tape on tops and bottoms. It also lowers costs for freight and allows for speedy reconstruction of cartons in a tapeless, closed loop.
Containers can be reused dozens of times before disposal or recycling. This leverages supply chain cost savings at the same time it embraces supply chain sustainability.
History
Reuse of. boxes and other containers has been common for many years. For example, the automotive industry has long used reusable racks, totes, and boxes.[4] One type of “closed loop box reuse” was used by Jack D. and James F. Wilson, coinventors of supportive devices developed to keep cardboard box flaps closed or held open without the use of tape.[5] The closed loop term describes a circular life for boxes and cartons made possible by the help of such supportive devices.
Closed-loop box reuse is the process by which packaging materials can be used and reused to minimize waste. Similar and overlapping terms commonly used are closed-loop recycling, returnable packaging, reusable packaging, sustainable supply chains and circular economy. Laws have been passed in Maine[6] and Oregon[7] to make it the responsibility of producers of waste to pay into a fund based on the amount and the ability of the materials used in their packaging to be recycled. These funds will be employed to reimburse municipalities for eligible recycling and waste management costs, make investments in recycling infrastructure, and help citizens understand how to recycle.
A circular economy is a large-scale model that involves the sharing, leasing, reusing, repairing, refurbishing and recycling of existing material in a global environment. Reverse logistics is an alternative to a traditional linear economy (take, make, waste).[8] It seeks to reduce waste, recover resources at the end of a product's life, and channel it back into production, thus, significantly reducing pressure on the environment. Closed-loop box reuse shares similar goals and perspectives but is specific to the circular life cycle of fiberboard boxes in systems where reuse is the focus.
Environmental impact
The goal of closed-loop fiberboard box reuse is to reduce waste and pollution. The supply chain accounts for more than 90% of the environmental impact experienced by most consumer goods companies,[9] more than 800 million tons of cardboard and paper are disposed of yearly in the USA.[10] Reusing one ton of fiberboard boxes saves 390 kWh of energy, 46 gallons of oil and 700 gallons of water.[11]
Recycling (or reusing) that same ton of corrugated board produces less than 50% of sulfur-dioxide than if made from raw materials and saves more than 9 cubic yards of landfill.[11] In 2018, over 17 million tons of paper and paperboard were landfilled in the U.S.[12] It is the largest component of municipal solid waste.
Closed loop box reuse allows companies to meet their Circular Economy, ISO, Six Sigma, Lean Manufacturing or Zero Waste goals. Closed loop opportunities exist in assembly lines, pick and pack fulfillment centers, kitting operations, warehouse management systems, and moving and storage businesses.
References
- ^ Soroka, W. Illustrated Glossary of Packaging Terminology (Second ed.). Institute of Packaging Professionals. p. 185.
- ^ Thoroe, P W (2009). "The impact of RFID on management of returnable containers". Electronic Markets. 19 (2–3): 115–124. doi:10.1007/s12525-009-0013-3. S2CID 30186368.
- ^ Reynolds, Matt (October 11, 2022). "Closed-Loop Corrugated Case Reuse Process Delivers Savings Through Cycles, Material Input Reduction". packworld.com. Retrieved November 11, 2022.
- ^ Akabane, G (2018), Returnable packaging as a sustainability factor in the automotive chain: a case study., vol. 6, Archives of Business Research, 6(9), 21-31., pp. 21–31, retrieved 20 September 2022
- ^ Bucher, Chris (2016-12-01). "Giving Boxes a New Lease on Life". gmtoday. Retrieved 2022-02-19.
- ^ "Extended Producer Responsibility Program for Packaging". Maine Department of Environmental Protection. Retrieved 2022-02-19.
- ^ "Plastic Pollution and Recycling Modernization Act". Oregon.gov. 2021-08-06. Retrieved 2022-02-19.
- ^ "What is Linear Economy". IGI Global. Retrieved 2022-02-19.
- ^ "Supply Chains Cause 90% Of Companies' Environmental Impacts. How Can They Be Improved?". youmatter. 2019-02-19. Retrieved 2022-02-19.
- ^ "Amazing Facts About Cardboard Waste & Recycling". All County Recycling. Retrieved 2022-02-22.
- ^ a b "Recycling Facts". Recyclingbin.com. Retrieved 2022-02-22.
- ^ "Paper and Paperboard: Material-Specific Data". United States Environmental Protection Agency. 7 September 2017. Retrieved 2022-02-22.
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topics
- Active packaging
- Child-resistant packaging
- Contract packager
- Edible packaging
- Modified atmosphere/modified humidity packaging
- Overpackaging
- Package delivery
- Package pilferage
- Package testing
- Package theft
- Packaging engineering
- Resealable packaging
- Reusable packaging
- Reuse of bottles
- Shelf life
- Shelf-ready packaging
- Shelf-stable
- Sustainable packaging
- Tamper-evident
- Tamper resistance
- Wrap rage
packages
- Alternative wine closure
- Ammunition box
- Banana box
- Beer bottle
- Box wine
- Case-ready meat
- Coffee bag
- Cosmetic packaging
- Currency packaging
- Disposable food packaging
- Drink can
- Egg carton
- Evidence packaging
- Field ration
- Flour sack
- Foam food container
- Food packaging
- Fuel container
- Gas cylinder
- Glass milk bottle
- Growler
- Juicebox
- Low plastic water bottle
- Luxury packaging
- Milk bag
- Optical disc packaging
- Oyster pail
- Popcorn bag
- Pharmaceutical packaging
- Plastic milk container
- Purdue Improved Crop Storage bags
- Sand bag
- Seasonal packaging
- Self-heating food packaging
- Screw cap (wine)
- Single-serve coffee container
- Spray paint
- Toothpaste pump dispenser
- Water bottle
- Wine bottle
- Aerosol spray dispenser
- Aluminium bottle
- Aluminum can
- Ampoule
- Antistatic bag
- Bag-in-box
- Bag
- Barrel
- Biodegradable bag
- Blister pack
- Boil-in-bag
- Bottle
- Box
- Bulk box
- Cage
- Case
- Carboy
- Carton
- Chub
- Clamshell
- Corrugated box design
- Crate
- Disposable cup
- Drum
- Endcap
- Envelope
- Euro container
- Flexible intermediate bulk container
- Flexi-bag
- Folding carton
- Glass bottle
- Gunny sack
- Inhaler
- Insulated shipping container
- Intermediate bulk container
- Jar
- Jerrycan
- Jug
- Keg
- Mesh bag
- Multilayered packaging
- Multi-pack
- Packet (container)
- Padded envelope
- Pail
- Paper bag
- Paper sack
- Plastic bag
- Plastic bottle
- Retort pouch
- Salvage drum
- Sachet
- Security bag
- Shipping container
- Shipping tube
- Skin pack
- Spray bottle
- Squround
- Stand-up pouch
- Steel and tin cans
- Tetra Brik
- Thermal bag
- Tub (container)
- Tube
- Unit load
- Vial
- Wooden box
and
components
- Adhesive
- Aluminium foil
- Bail handle
- Bioplastic
- Biodegradable plastic
- BoPET
- Bubble wrap
- Bung
- Cellophane
- Closure
- Coated paper
- Coating
- Coextrusion
- Corrugated fiberboard
- Corrugated plastic
- Cushioning
- Desiccant
- Double seam
- Flip-top
- Foam peanut
- Gel pack
- Glass
- Hot-melt adhesive
- Humidity indicator card
- Kraft paper
- Label
- Lid
- Linear low-density polyethylene
- Liquid packaging board
- Living hinge
- Low-density polyethylene
- Meat diaper
- Metallised film
- Modified atmosphere
- Molded pulp
- Nonwoven fabric
- Overwrap
- Oxygen scavenger
- Package handle
- Packaging gas
- Pallet
- Paper
- Paper pallet
- Paperboard
- Plastic-coated paper
- Plastic film
- Plastic pallet
- Plastic wrap
- Polyester
- Polyethylene
- Polypropylene
- Pressure-sensitive tape
- Pump dispenser
- Screw cap
- Screw cap (wine)
- Security printing
- Security tape
- Shock detector
- Shock and vibration data logger
- Shrink wrap
- Slip sheet
- Staple (fastener)
- Strapping
- Stretch wrap
- Susceptor
- Tamper-evident band
- Tear tape
- Temperature data logger
- Time temperature indicator
- Tinplate
- Velostat
- Aseptic processing
- Authentication
- Automatic identification and data capture
- Blow fill seal
- Blow molding
- Calendering
- Canning
- Coating
- Containerization
- Converting
- Corona treatment
- Curtain coating
- Die cutting
- Die forming (plastics)
- Electronic article surveillance
- Extrusion
- Extrusion coating
- Flame treatment
- Glass production
- Graphic design
- Hazard analysis and critical control points
- Hermetic seal
- Induction sealing
- Injection moulding
- Lamination
- Laser cutting
- Molding
- Package tracking
- Papermaking
- Plastic extrusion
- Plastic welding
- Printing
- Product development
- Production control
- Quality assurance
- Radio-frequency identification
- Roll slitting
- Shearing (manufacturing)
- Thermoforming
- Track and trace
- Ultrasonic welding
- Vacuum forming
- Vacuum packaging
- Verification and validation
- Barcode printer
- Barcode reader
- Bottling line
- Calender
- Can seamer
- Cap torque tester
- Cartoning machine
- Case sealer
- Check weigher
- Conveyor system
- Drum pump
- Extended core stretch wrapper
- Filler
- Heat gun
- Heat sealer
- Industrial robot
- Injection molding machine
- Label printer applicator
- Lineshaft roller conveyor
- Logistics automation
- Material-handling equipment
- Mechanical brake stretch wrapper
- Multihead weigher
- Orbital stretch wrapper
- Packaging machinery
- Pallet inverter
- Palletizer
- Rotary wheel blow molding systems
- Seed-counting machine
- Shrink tunnel
- Staple gun
- Tape dispenser
- Turntable stretch wrapper
- Vertical form fill sealing machine
post-use
- Biodegradation
- Can collecting
- Closed-loop box reuse
- Environmental engineering
- Glass recycling
- Industrial ecology
- Life-cycle assessment
- Litter
- Packaging waste
- Paper recycling
- PET bottle recycling
- Plastic recycling
- Recycling
- Reusable packaging
- Reverse logistics
- Source reduction
- Sustainable packaging
- Waste management