How Does Profitability Go Hand in Hand With Sustainability?

Sustainability is a buzzword right now, but it’s also a powerful initiative that has the power to change every industry.

Sometimes, companies are hesitant to revamp their packaging process because of the cost associated. However, making the sustainable choice can also be the most profitable choice.

► Related Content: 5 Ways to Improve Sustainability With Foam

Reducing Cost By Making the Right Choice, The First Time 

Did you know that each damaged product, on average, adds 40.4 pounds of carbon dioxide gas emissions into the atmosphere?

► Related Content: Calculate the Environmental Impact of Product Damages

Choosing the wrong material can result in damaged items, which then creates more environmental toll as products need to be re-made, re-packaged, and re-shipped.

Making the right choice can also reduce your costs and increase your profitability in other ways as well

Take for example, a recent project we completed for an aerospace client. They needed to ship lenses, and their shipping strategy involved single-use packaging in a corrugated box, cushioned with inflatable dunnage. 

We created a reusable tote using corrugated plastic and foam. This had numerous advantages over the previous strategy:

• Re-usability: The reusable tote could be shipped multiple times per year, drastically reducing waste and repeated costs. Each tote could be shipped 3 times per year, with a service life of 10 years.
• Efficiency: The previous box solution held only 1 lens and box, and was only used 1 time. The new solution allowed for 60 lenses to be shipped at once. In addition to the reduction of waste, this also reduced the environmental impact of repeated shipping trips. For the end users, it was also much easier - they only had to pack and unpack one tote vs. dozens of boxes.  We were able to drastically reduce lead time by using out 5-axis waterjet cutter to eliminate multiple assembly steps.
• Weight: The other big win was the massive weight reduction. With the new solution, the weight per lens is 0.126 lbs, with an annual weight of only 178 lbs. 

► Read The Full Article: Case Study: Reusable Tote for Aerospace Client

This is just one example, but consider the possibility with your products. 

When it Comes to Sustainability, We’re Shredding it 

Packaging foam has a lot of untapped and underutilized potential when it comes to sustainability. While end user recycling adoption is not at the same level as paper or metal (yet!) – picking packaging foam drastically reduces damaged products, which in turn reduces environmental impact and strain. This makes foam an excellent choice to meet your sustainability requirements.

Want to learn more?

Contact a Packaging Expert

Foam Industries is a custom protective packaging company specializing in foam – with additional wood and plastic fabrication services. Our custom foam fabrication services are ideal for any type of packaging, display, or support service needed – from design to finished product.