4 Ways Companies Can Use Scrap Cardboard
Scrap cardboard is a valuable commodity in the international marketplace. It provides an environmentally conscious way to help the environment and a company’s bottom line. There is a variety of ways a company can get involved. Below are four of the common methods.
1. Shipping boxes
Over 90 percent of the scrap cardboard consumed in the global marketplace is used for shipping. Whether a company operates as a manufacturer, distributor, wholesaler, or other designation, it needs high-quality cardboard boxes to assure its products arrive in good condition to the destination address. Many companies allow return shipments to be made in the same boxes originally provided. This is another reason for the high demand of good quality cardboard boxes.
2. Shipping materials
Scrap cardboard boxes can not only be reused as shipping boxes, but can be recycled into valuable commodities that improve shipment safety. Many large-scale manufacturing companies work with recycling companies to reduce cardboard waste. These companies turn the waste into product cushioning or packaging materials. The process is an interesting and valuable way to decrease landfill fillings. Companies first take the waste cardboard and soak it in water. Soaking the cardboard allows it to dissolve and be reduced to wood fibers. These wood fibers are then drained into a paper mold. This paper mold goes through a heat drying process until ready for use. The molded pulp can be shaped into any form the company finds useful for its shipping and cushioning needs.
These shipping materials can be used by companies involved with shipping as part of the overall operations, or be sold throughout retail establishments that offer shipping services. Retail establishments include boxing companies, department stores that sell shipping products, mailbox outlets, and similar type companies.
3. Improve Functionality
Some companies that buy scrap cardboard recycle the waste into products that serve more than one function. Sony, for instance, makes certain its cardboard wastage is turned into a sustainable package that contains a useful inner and outer portion. The inner portion contains a document box that holds more than one piece of documentation. This box can be displayed attractively on a bookcase. The outer portion of the package can be used to hold accessories or other small storage items.
4. Improved Logistics
Scrap cardboard is crucial for companies that rely on using returnable container throughout its operations. Depending upon the size of the company’s operations, this can result in a 100+ ton reduction of waste. Transport efficiency can be enhanced by designing boxes out of the scrap cardboard that optimize space in shipping cartons and containers. This improves load efficiency, which lowers shipping costs. Transport efficiency plays a key role in optimizing space, profits, and marketability.
Every shipper needs to be concerned about shipping weights and applicable costs. Efficient companies are finding ways to use scrap cardboard in cost-efficient ways. By recycling wastage into smaller packages that require fewer components, firms can more effectively solve shipping dilemmas. The smaller, more efficient packaging lowers the shipping weight. This saves on shipping expenses.
Instead of discarding scrap cardboard or letting it accumulate dust in a company closet, sell it to a local boxing company that will pay good money for it. Reputable companies will have a waiting list of customers willing to buy the cardboard.
