Source: packing-supplies.com

Choosing the Right Packaging

Before deciding on the type of packaging you’ll order, there are several things you need to take into consideration. If you have a new business that will make deliveries, it’s prudent to learn as much about packaging in advance so that you don’t have to learn from your mistakes. By answering a few questions, you can narrow down your options until you finally find the right high-quality boxes and packaging supplies that will suit your needs, as well as ensure the safest possible transport of your goods.

First of all, you need to take into consideration the products themselves, their shapes, sizes, quantities, as well as your warehouse storage capacity. This will help you make the proper arrangements with the packaging companies, and know exactly what you need. For instance, you may not have enough storage space for as many packages as you need, so you’ll have to adjust your orders accordingly. This will also help you determine the size of the boxes, as well as whether any additional protection, such as wrapping film or bubble wrap, is required. Next, you’ll need to think about transportation. In order to make sure that the customers receive your products undamaged, you need to find the right quality packaging supplies.

Source: assuredpackltd.co.uk

Why Go for Cardboard Boxes?

The first thing you need to consider when you are deciding on the type of packaging you’ll use for your products is the material. While this can sometimes depend on the products themselves, ever since people started using it for packing stuff, cardboard is the most popular packing option in the world, and for many good reasons.

Quality cardboard boxes are reliable and durable. They offer good protection, and they are strong enough to withstand a lot during transport. Cardboard will also protect your products against moisture – which can be of great importance for many products.

One of the most important things about cardboard packaging is that unlike the more expensive options such as plastic, it’s an environmentally sound packing option. Not only is it recyclable, but it’s also made from recycled materials. If you are trying to minimise the carbon footprint of your business, you need to think about every aspect of everything, and if packaging is a part of your business, then it shouldn’t be an exception, and thankfully, it doesn’t need to be. Of course, before choosing a packaging supply company you could check if they are green and environmentally friendly.

Compared to other packaging options, cardboard boxes are an extremely cost-effective packaging solution. Furthermore, these boxes are lightweight, meaning that they wouldn’t add to the product’s weight. Being as durable and resilient as it is during transportation, cardboard packaging protects the products, meaning that replacing damaged products wouldn’t be something that occurs frequently. Another reason why it’s the best option for packing is that cardboard boxes are quite versatile, meaning that they can come in any size, and they can protect your product regardless of the shape.

Source: swiftpak.co.uk

Choosing a Packaging Materials Supplier

There are several things that you should consider when it’s time to choose a packaging supplier company with the first one, of course, is checking the compatibility of their prices and your budget ­– always having in mind that often higher initial cost is a low price to pay for quality and a cost-effective strategy in the long run. The reason for this is because high-quality packaging is undoubtedly more likely to live up to your standards. You don’t want to work so much just to end up with disappointed customers and a bunch of bad reviews on your website.

Furthermore, make sure that they have a wide variety of supplies so that you can add new materials should you need to start delivering new products without a fuss, for instance. Check all the materials for the packaging they are offering: do they have corrugated cardboard, bubble wrap, tapes, straps, mailing supplies, doculopes etc.?

Like with any other service you’re dealing with, of course, you need to be careful about the companies you work with, especially when they’re supplying you with something as important as the means to protect your product during transport. To do so, you should learn as much as you can about their policies, how fast they despatch your order, their money-back guarantee, are they environmentally responsible etc.

The post Packaging Matters: Ship Your Products in the Right Boxes appeared first on Sherlocks.com.au Blog.

Fortunately, manufacturers of plastic cutlery, cups, bowls and plates (which are mainly designed for cafes, coffee shops and certain types of restaurants) have found a better alternative to plastic. Nowadays, many businesses can find use in the three most popular types of environmentally-friendly plastics which do not compromise neither the look nor the quality. In other words, they are extremely appealing (just like metal/ceramic/porcelain products), just more beneficial for the environment. The food industry is one of the largest industries that uses disposable and compostable products, so those businesses that care for their public image should take into account these three replacements of regular plastic products. However, the question that arises is just how beneficial these options are or how big of an upgrade to regular plastic each of them can actually be… Is there one option that trumps all? Let’s find out!

Biodegradable Plastics

Biodegradable or also known as photo-degradable and oxo-degradable plastics can be decomposed by living organisms like bacteria. Generally speaking, biodegradable plastic cutlery is made of petrochemical plastics which are, sadly, not that beneficial for the environment. Usually, these plastics can break down into extremely harmful substances that are not suitable for composting as they can leave a toxic residue.

Recycled Plastics

As the name implies, recycled plastics are made from recycled plastic materials and can be recycled into something new, a new product. For instance, recycled bottles can be recycled in cups and vice versa. While this recycling process is great for preventing plastic products from ending up in the landfill, according to a lot of studies, this is not the ideal alternative as too much recycling can downgrade the actual product.

Bioplastics

The last but not least plastic cutlery type used in the food industry is bio cutlery. Generally speaking, bio cutlery and bioplastic products in general, are made from natural materials like sugar cane and corn starch. However, these days it’s not uncommon to see bio cutlery and bioplastic products made from PLA which is a polylactic acid also known as polylactide. A great benefit of PLA products is that they are compostable and can break down under the right conditions.

The best part about all bio cutlery and PLA products is that they leave no toxic residue. In other words, experts say that PLA bio cutlery products represent the perfect balance between Eco-friendliness and sustainability. Available in a range of shapes and colours (white, black, grey, etc.), PLA cutlery is the perfect choice for those businesses that look for Eco-sustainable, yet elegant and smooth solution. Such cutlery can complement any type of event, and these are ideal for the use in cafes and restaurants thanks to their aesthetic appeal. According to manufacturers, PLA plastic can withstand temperatures up to 85 degrees making it difficult to break, snap or ‘melt’ when used by consumers.

Now, except for these plastics, for the production of bio cutlery and commercial tableware in general, businesses can also invest in another type of environmental-friendly products – wooden tableware. Generally speaking, all of these products are made from fast-growing trees like birch and bamboo as they are renewable. Thanks to these properties, by using bamboo or birch products harming the environment and forest won’t be an option. For instance, once harvested, bamboo tree can renew in no time which means that there will be no damage at all.

Generally speaking, wood is an extremely sustainable material that can be used for different purposes. When talking about cutlery and plates in particular, experts advise relying on trustworthy suppliers as this can be considered a proof for the products’ sustainability and quality. These products should be 100% natural with no chemicals used in the manufacturing process. That way one can be sure that there will be no chemical impact on the environment, so when thrown, they can fully compost and decompose for about 90 days. Out of all these things, the best part is that wooden products don’t need any industrial facility or some special process to break down.

Note: A great proof of the products’ quality would be their certificate. According to the Australian law, a business cannot simply label its products as Eco-friendly if they don’t meet the strict criteria set by the Australian law. According to the Trade Practices Act 1974, businesses should provide consumers with accurate information about their goods and services. Those that make misleading or false representation on the packaging of the products will find themselves violating the law which is punishable.

The post Bio Cutlery: Discover the Difference Between Biodegradable, Recycled Plastic & Bioplastics appeared first on Sherlocks.com.au Blog.