Reusable packaging

Short description: Packaging designed for reuse

Reusable packaging is manufactured of durable materials and is specifically designed for multiple trips and extended life. A reusable package or container is "designed for reuse without impairment of its protective function."[1] The term returnable is sometimes used interchangeably but it can also include returning packages or components for other than reuse: recycling, disposal, incineration, etc. Typically, the materials used to make returnable packaging include steel, wood, polypropylene sheets or other plastic materials.[2]

Reusability of packaging is an important consideration of the environmental credo of "reduce, reuse, and recycle". It is also important to the movement toward more sustainable packaging.[3] Returnable packaging is encouraged by regulators.[4][5]

## Contents

* 1 Shipping containers
* 1.1 Use in the automotive industry
* 2 Consumer packaging and containers
* 3 Reuse for other purposes
* 4 Justification
* 5 See also
* 6 References
* 6.1 Books, general references

## Shipping containers

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.[6] A return, reconditioning, and reuse system can save money on the cost per shipment and can reduce the environmental footprint of the packaging.[7][8]

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.

* A typical keg (half-barrel) with a single opening in the center of the top end

* Industrial compressed gas cylinders

* Steel drums can be reconditioned and reused

* Returnable/reusable plastic tote box, Euro container

* Reusable boxes for pallet shipping

* Heavy-duty reusable wooden pallet

* Plastic molded transit case with pre-cut foam interior

* Container for bulk vegetable oil

* Reusable field bins for fruit

* Stackable plastic containers

* Carrots on display in returnable plastic bins

### Use in the automotive industry

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:

A steel cage used as reusable packaging | A wooden pallet collar box | A corrugated plastic box used as reusable packing |  Corrugated plastic dividers used to pack automotive components

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## Consumer packaging and containers

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.[9]

* Home storage containers

* Delivering milk in India in reusable stainless steel containers

* Reusable milk bottles and carrier

* Reusable shopping bag

* Mason jars for canning

* Glass bottles of mineral water in crates

* Christmas tree ornaments in storage boxes

* Refillable liquid soap dispenser

* Flip-top or bail closure on storage jar

* Gass grill with reusable liquefied petroleum gas cylinder

## Reuse for other purposes

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

* Furniture made from milk crates

* Pails being reused to carry other items

* Architecture with intermodal shipping containers

* Woman sewing chair covers, bedspread, and other things made from cotton flour sacks in Alabama

## Justification

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.[10] 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.[11][12]

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.[13][14][15][16]

## See also

* Closed-loop box reuse, business practice where boxes or other containers are reused many times as a form of reusable packaging
* Economics of plastics processing § Reusable plastic containers, adoption of reusable plastic containers
* OpenStructures, open specification for modular interfaces in hardware based on a geometrical grid
* Pallet crafts, crafts and projects which use discarded shipping pallets
* Resealable packaging, reusable product packaging that the end user can reclose
* Reverse logistics, return processing, i.e. all operations related to the upstream movement of products and materials
* Shaker-style pantry box, round bentwood box made by hand
* Systainer, modular plastic containers for transporting power tools
* 32 mm cabinetmaking system, a standard for shelving

## References

1. ↑ ASTM D996
2. ↑ Soroka, W. Illustrated Glossary of Packaging Terminology (Second ed.). Institute of Packaging Professionals. p. 185. http://www.iopp.org/i4a/pages/Index.cfm?pageID=1.
3. ↑ Coelho, Patricia Megale; Corona, Blanca; ten Klooster, Roland; Worrell, Ernst (2020). "Sustainability of reusable packaging–Current situation and trends". Resources, Conservation & Recycling: X 6. doi:10.1016/j.rcrx.2020.100037. Bibcode: 2020RCRX....600037C.
4. ↑ Use Reusables: Fundamentals of Reusable Transport Packaging, US Environmental Protection Agency, 2012, http://www.epa.gov/wastes/conserve/smm/web-academy/2012/pdfs/smm812_Lehrer.pdf, retrieved 28 June 2014
5. ↑ Golding, A (2004), Reuse of Primary Packaging, Contract B4-3040/98/000180/MAR/E3, European Commission, http://ec.europa.eu/environment/waste/studies/packaging/reuse_main.pdf, retrieved 30 June 2014
6. ↑ Twede, D (2009), "Logistical/Distribution Packaging", in Yam, K L, Encyclopedia of Packaging Technology, Wiley, ISBN 978-0-470-08704-6
7. ↑ Ernst & Young Accountants (2014), Life Cycle Assessment of Newly Manufactured and Reconditioned Industrial Packaging, Reusable Industrial Packaging Association, http://www.reusablepackaging.org/wp-content/uploads/Life-Cycle-Analysis-Report-2014.pdf
8. ↑ Zimmerman, T (2020). "Single-use vs. reusable packaging in e-commerce: comparing carbon footprints and identifying break-even points". GAIA 29 (3): 176–173. doi:10.14512/gaia.29.3.8. Bibcode: 2020GEPSS..29..176Z. https://oekopol.de/src/files/Carbon-Footprint-Comparison-of-Single-Use-vs.-Reusable-Packaging.pdf. Retrieved 7 May 2023.
9. ↑ "Plastic food and drink packaging". 12 September 2019. https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201719/cmselect/cmenvfru/2080/208002.htm.
10. ↑ Twede, S (2004). "Supply Chain Issues in Reusable Packaging". Journal of Marketing Channels 12 (1): 7–26. doi:10.1300/J049v12n01_02.
11. ↑ Tomey, R D (1995). "Returnable Packaging Components in Physical Distribution Systems". in Fiedler, R M. Distribution Packaging Technology. Institute of Packaging Professionals.
12. ↑ Harder, MS (1996). "How to Develop a Returnable Pack for Multiple Plant Use". in Fiedler, R M. The Best of TransPack. Institute of Packaging Professionals.
13. ↑ Mata, T M (2001). "Life cycle assessment of different reuse percentages for glass beer bottles". International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment 6 (5): 58–63. doi:10.1007/BF02978793. Bibcode: 2001IJLCA...6..307M.
14. ↑ Spitzly, David (1997), Life Cycle Design of Milk and Juice Packaging, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, http://www.umich.edu/~nppcpub/research/milkjuice.pdf, retrieved 29 June 2014
15. ↑ Singh, J; Krasowski, Singh (January 2011), "Life cycle inventory of HDPE bottle-based liquid milk packaging systems", Packaging Technology and Science 24: 49–60, doi:10.1002/pts.909
16. ↑ Van Doorsselaer, K; Fox (2000), "Estimation of the energy needs in life cycle analysis of one-way and returnable glass packaging", Packaging Technology and Science 12 (5): 235–239, doi:10.1002/(SICI)1099-1522(199909/10)12:5<235::AID-PTS474>3.0.CO;2-W

### Books, general references

* Design Criteria for Specialized Shipping Containers, US DoD, Mil-Std 648D, 1999, [1]
* 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

* National Wooden Pallet and Container Association
* Reusable Packaging Association
* Reusable Industrial Packaging Association

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* t
* e

Packaging

General topics|

* Active packaging
* Child-resistant packaging
* Contract packager
* Modified atmosphere/modified humidity packaging
* Package pilferage
* Package testing
* Packaging engineering
* Resealable packaging
* Reusable packaging
* Reuse of bottles
* Shelf life
* Shelf-ready packaging
* Shelf-stable
* Sustainable packaging
* Tamper-evident
* Tamper resistance
* Wrap rage

Product packages|

* Alternative wine closure
* Beer bottle
* Box wine
* Case-ready meat
* Coffee bag
* Cosmetic packaging
* Currency packaging
* Disposable food packaging
* Drink can
* Egg carton
* Evidence packaging
* Flour sack
* Foam food container
* Food packaging
* Glass milk bottle
* Growler
* Juicebox
* Luxury packaging
* Milk bag
* Optical disc packaging
* Popcorn bag
* Pharmaceutical packaging
* Plastic milk container
* Self-heating food packaging
* Screw cap (wine)
* Single-serve coffee container
* Water bottle
* Wine bottle

Containers|

* Aerosol spray
* 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
* Flexible intermediate bulk container
* Folding carton
* Glass bottle
* Gunny sack
* Inhaler
* Insulated shipping container
* Intermediate bulk container
* Jar
* Jerrycan
* Jug
* Keg
* Mesh bag
* Multi-pack
* Oyster pail
* Packet (container)
* Padded envelope
* Pail
* Paper bag
* Paper sack
* Plastic bag
* Plastic bottle
* Retort pouch
* Sachet
* Security bag
* Self-heating can
* Shipping container
* Skin pack
* Spray bottle
* Stand-up pouch
* Steel and tin cans
* Tetra Brik
* Thermal bag
* Tub (container)
* Tube
* Unit load
* Vial
* Wooden box

Materials 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
* Foam peanut
* Gel pack
* Glass
* Hot-melt adhesive
* Kraft paper
* Label
* Lid
* Linear low-density polyethylene
* Liquid packaging board
* Low-density polyethylene
* Metallised film
* Modified atmosphere
* Molded pulp
* Nonwoven fabric
* Overwrap
* Oxygen scavenger
* Package handle
* Packaging gas
* Pallet
* Paper
* Paper pallet
* Paperboard
* 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

Processes|

* Aseptic processing
* Authentication
* Automatic identification and data capture
* Blow fill seal
* Blow molding
* Calendering
* Canning
* Coating
* Containerization
* Corona treatment
* Curtain coating
* Die cutting
* Die forming (plastics)
* Electronic article surveillance
* Extrusion
* Extrusion coating
* Flame treatment
* Glass production
* Graphic design
* HACCP
* Hermetic seal
* Induction sealing
* Injection moulding
* Lamination
* Laser cutting
* Molding
* Package tracking
* Papermaking
* Plastic welding
* Plastics extrusion
* Printing
* Quality assurance
* Radio-frequency identification
* Roll slitting
* Shearing (manufacturing)
* Thermoforming
* Track and trace
* Vacuum forming
* Ultrasonic welding
* Vacuum packaging
* Verification and validation

Machinery|

* Barcode printer
* Barcode reader
* Bottling line
* Calender
* Can seamer
* Cartoning machine
* Case sealer
* Check weigher
* Conveyor system
* 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
* Palletizer
* Rotary wheel blow molding systems
* Shrink tunnel
* Staple gun
* Tape dispenser
* Turntable stretch wrapper
* Vertical form fill sealing machine

Environment,
post-use|

* Biodegradation
* Environmental engineering
* Glass recycling
* Industrial ecology
* Life-cycle assessment
* Litter
* Packaging waste
* Paper recycling
* Plastic recycling
* Recycling
* Reusable packaging
* Reverse logistics
* Source reduction
* Sustainable packaging
* Waste management

Category: Packaging

* v
* t
* e

Recycling

Materials|

* Aluminium
* Asphalt
* Concrete
* Copper
* Cotton
* Energy
* Glass
* Gypsum
* Paper
* Plastic
* Refrigerant
* Scrap
* Timber
* Vegetable oil
* Water

Products|

* Appliances
* Automotive oil
* Batteries
* Bottles
* PET bottles
* Computers
* Drugs
* Fluorescent lamps
* Lumber
* Mobile phones
* Paint
* Ships
* Textiles
* Tires
* Vehicles

Apparatus|

* Bins
* Blue bags
* Blue boxes
* Codes
* Collection
* Materials recovery facility
* Waste sorting

Countries|

* Rate by country
* Australia
* Brazil
* Canada
* Ireland
* Israel
* Japan
* Malaysia
* The Netherlands
* Switzerland
* Taiwan
* United Kingdom
* Northern Ireland
* United States

Concepts|

* Dematerialization
* Downcycling
* Eco-industrial park
* Ecodesign
* Extended producer responsibility
* Freecycling
* Industrial ecology
* Industrial metabolism
* Land recycling
* Material flow analysis
* Precycling
* Product stewardship
* Recursive recycling
* Recycling (ecological)
* Resource recovery
* Reuse of excreta
* Repurposing
* Reuse
* Upcycling
* Urban lumberjacking
* Waste hierarchy
* Waste minimisation
* Waste picking
* Zero waste

See also|

* Cogeneration
* Composting
* Container deposit legislation
* Dumpster diving
* Ethical consumerism
* Freeganism
* Simple living
* Waste
* Waste-to-energy
* Waste collection
* Waste management law
* Waste management
* Waste management concepts

* Environment portal
* Category
* by country
* by material
* by product
* organizations
* Index
* Commons

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