Reverse Logistics and the Reusable Box

Reverse logistics, or closed loop recycling, are operations relating to the recovery of products or materials for reuse. Nowhere is the Globe Guard® Reusable Box more at home.

The Globe Guard Reusable Box Streamlines Reverse Logistics Operations

A wide range of products are reused, replaced, or shipped out on loan while the original is being repaired. Cell phones, laptops, and electronic components are reverse logistics products most of us are familiar with.

The Reusable Box is designed and constructed to make both the original trip and the return trip -- minimizing packaging material and labor expense. And, since the Reusable Box can be printed inside and out, it eliminates the need for special marking and labeling. Product identification, so critical in reverse logistics operations, can be managed and controlled at the beginning of the process.

The Reusable Box Brings Efficiency in Many Closed Loop Recycling Applications

In some reverse logistics applications, the difficulty is getting the shipping box to the location where it can be reused. We have an application now where empty Reusable Boxes will be accumulated and returned to the original shipping point -- not as efficient as shipping from the original destination, but still far more sustainable and economical than buying additional shipping boxes.

What if there is no infrastructure in place to return boxes to a destination for reuse? A typical application of this nature is parts going into the field for repair when the original part is not being returned for credit or inspection. In a case like this, we have created a carrier container made from our Globe Guard 100% PCW corrugated board. The carrier is printed with shipment information which makes it easy for the field technician to accumulate and return the empty carriers to a location where they can be refilled with parts and shipped out at a later date.

Creative design and a careful look at the reverse logistics process can lead to simple changes in packaging that produce substantial economic and sustainable gains. If you’re not sure you have an application for the Reusable Box, give us a call.

Identify Contents Clearly, Economically, and Sustainably

Product Identification Labels Are Expensive and Not Eco Friendly

When we speak to people about their intra company shipping, they consistently stress the importance of clear product identification. When a product is shipped from one facility to another, it must be identified as an item that has been machined, assembled, finished, tested, or transferred. Product status is usually accomplished by applying an oversize label to the shipping container.

An 8″ x 6″ pressure sensitive label is commonly used for this application, and a cost of about $.20 to $.30 each depending on construction and quantity. The price can rise significantly if the label is custom printed with artwork or in multiple colors. Companies frequently use larger and more expensive labels in an effort to cover up previous labels and outdated information.

Reusable Boxes Are the Ideal Replacement for Labels

• At minimal additional cost, a Globe Guard® Reusable Box can be custom printed on the inside as well as the outside. Ship-to, product code, status and other information can be clearly and consistently communicated. It can be spot printed or even flood printed in a completely different color to make it stand out in an inventory or sorting scenario.
• Bar code, product information or even ship-to address information are able to be printed on the inside surface of the box so it is visible after the box is inverted. This not only replaces the cost of the labels, but the associated procurement, stocking and labor costs of applying them as well.

Determining whether or not the Globe Guard® Reusable Box can serve a purpose in your operation may be as easy as identifying and reviewing your oversized label usage. If labels are being applied to boxes being shipped internally, there is a good possibility our unique design can help you save money while making your company greener in the process.

When we designed the Globe Guard® Reusable Box, it was in part a response to what we’ve been hearing from fulfillment services firms about their changing packaging needs. Like most businesses today, fulfillment companies are being asked to do more and more for their customers … and their customers’ customers.

Two Boxes in One Reduces Cost, Increases Sustainability

When the manufacturer or merchandiser is an eco friendly company, great care must be taken in the handling of error correction, since resolving these issues typically results in a large carbon footprint. And, since recalls and replacements add nothing to the bottom line, fulfillment firms are under great pressure to minimize not only environmental impact, but material and process cost as well.

How Our Two-Way Box Minimizes Environmental Impact and Cost

Today, product replacement is only part of the story. When there is a problem, let’s say a product recall or replacement, companies have to do product exchanges. In part, this is necessary to confirm the new product has been delivered, but also to clear defective product from the marketplace. Legal considerations, public relations, reclamation efforts, and other factors make it likely that the need for well managed, eco friendly recalls will continue to rise. A shipping, box that is 100% recycled content and has the ability to make two trips can be an invaluable asset.

With our ability to print the Globe Guard® Reusable Box inside and out, we can easily provide a different look to help customers determine if the contents are the product being replaced or the replacement itself. Imagine printing it red on the inside so that after it is inverted and returned, it can easily be identified and processed. This is especially important if the unhappy customer is anticipating a credit or other compensation.

There are no limitations to what can be printed on the inside, so a ship to address, return code, routing number, customer account or part number, and even a bar code can be easily accommodated.

The Globe Guard Reusable Box is a unique product to help solve unique problems for companies in the fulfillment services industry. Tell us about your unusual challenge and we will help you implement a solution that has a low cost for you and the environment.

Get Multiple Uses from a Single Corrugated Shipping Box

• Inventory management – One location’s over stock is another’s back order.
• Testing and inspection – Labs are often centralized even in the largest of companies so product makes a round trip after it is reviewed and approved.
• Finishing, assembly, and painting – Not all facilities have the same capabilities, necessitating product to be shipped from one location to another.
• Multi packing, labeling, and repackaging -- More and more of these tasks are being outsourced to contract packaging operations.
• Repair and returns -- Handled within the organization or outsourced to third party firms.
• De-manufacturing, rework and reclamation of company or customer owned products.

There is no perfect, one size fits all packaging solution for every product and situation but we are confident our Reusable Boxes have advantages over other available products in specific circumstances. Examples include when initial cost must be minimized, or when the need is temporary such as a seasonal application.

The best part about using a Globe Guard Reusable Box is that when it completes its multiple uses, it can always be easily recycled to create more Globe Guard boxes.

The Reusable Box Keeps Electronic Products Out of the Landfill

television or other electronic device. Eventually all of these items require replacement but what happens to the old one that is being replaced?

Full Loop Responsibility

Gradually manufacturing companies see the benefit of assuming the responsibility that most people believe is rightfully theirs. Whether companies are motivated by profit, conscious, industry pressure or even local or regional laws, there is an undeniable trend to take back a product that they created and sold when it finally reaches the end of its life cycle or when the consumer simply wants to update.

Staying Connected to the Consumer

We can debate cost versus profit of recycling or the relative marketing and profit value of being a green company but what many companies are now realizing is that reclaiming and recycling is an excellent way to keep a customer.

If the manufacturer of your cell phone was willing to send you a replacement or the latest model in a Globe Guard Reusable Box and allowed you to send back your old, broken or outdated device for proper disposal or recycling, would you be more likely to buy another one of their products? What about your toaster, lap top or computer monitor? The trend is growing and we believe reusable packaging will make it easier and less costly to return these often replaced products.

The Perfect Roundtrip Shipping Container

There are other products such as plastic totes that are capable of multiple trips but using them for uncertain return is usually cost prohibitive. I recently discovered that shipping companies such as FedEx and UPS will impose an additional charge for any container that is not a corrugated box. They routinely accept anything such as wooden crates, plastic totes and metal drums but they do charge dearly for handling them. They prefer for their own processing efficiencies, the good, old fashion, corrugated shipping box.

The Globe Guard® Reusable Box is designed for multiple shipments and features the ability to turn it inside out for its second use and trip. We can easily print the inside of the box as well so that the return can be processed quickly and at the lowest possible cost.

One Box Fits Your Application – Twice!

We believe that eventually the Globe Guard Reusable Box will be a stock item in many sizes but for now each one is custom made to satisfy a specific customer’s need. That does not necessarily result in high cost, but it does produce satisfied needs and requirements.

Bring us your unusual application and we can probably build the right shipper for you in almost any grade and size, as well as with custom printing. We help companies make their packaging greener and the Globe Guard Reusable Box is one of the many ways we do it.