Source-reduced and Reusable Transport Packaging
Packaging provides protection for the products we buy, makes handling convenient and displays useful product information. Discarded packaging makes up about one-third of garbage, and packaging waste in the U.S. has more than doubled in 30 years, from 27 million tons in 1960 to 57 million tons in 1988.
Retail product packages create about half of all packaging waste. The other half is transport packaging – containers for shipping products from manufacturer to purchaser.
The European Community and Japan generate about one-fourth less packaging waste per person than we do. In the U.S., the consumer bears the cost of packaging disposal. Legislation in Europe places this burden on manufacturers.
However, in both places, manufacturers must pay to buy, ship, store and handle the package. Needlessly heavy or bulky packaging is inefficient, so manufacturers decrease packaging waste to be more competitive. Suppliers are developing new packaging designs and services to meet the demand for source-reduced or reusable, recyclable packaging.
Packaging guidelines
The Conference of North Eastern Governors (CONEG) developed several initiatives on packaging, including guidelines for packaging design.
- Eliminate the package whenever possible.
- Minimize the amount of material in the package.
- Design packages to be returnable, refillable or reusable.
- Make packages out of recycled material.
Success stories show that source-reduced packaging decreases waste and cost if product damage does not increase. Reusable packaging works best in "closed-loop" distribution systems.
For more information
Further information about transport packaging and source reduction for businesses
is available from the OEA's Education Clearinghouse. Call at 651-215-0232 or
800-877-6300.
Success stories: Economic and environmental improvements go hand-in-handUnisys Corp.'s Roseville facility replaced single-use foam, plastic wrap, paper and cardboard transport packaging with reusable containers – a "kit" containing all assembly components, and use of a computer frame itself as a container for parts. The increase in packaging efficiency saves $868,000 each year. Clow Stamping Co. manufactures customized shapes for all gauges of sheet metal. Unsatisfied with recycling increasing amounts of container waste, the company bought 380 reusable fiberglass containers to take advantage of a continuous shipping distribution loop coordinated with a supplier. The new containers take less labor, are safer, provide more protection for surfaces, eliminate 24,000 lbs. of waste and save $14,000 per year. NSC provides computer networking and encryption equipment to a global customer base. Now that a vendor stocks fasteners such as screws, nuts, bolts and washers in refillable bins on a cart on the factory floor instead of supplying them in individualized disposable packaging, NSC saves $3,050 in decreased material and disposal costs, plus $3,200 in labor. Adding savings from purchase and disposal costs for all the packaging changes NSC made, the company's new system eliminates more than 65,000 cubic feet or 8,000 pounds of waste and saves $145,000 each year. |
| Minnesota Pollution Control Agency | www.pca.state.mn.us |
E-mail |