As a matter of fact, one of the biggest decisions when it comes to preparing a shipment is deciding what size of the cardboard box will best fit your product. One might consider this as a minor decision; however, in many ways it could affect how your product is protected from potential damage during transit. The likelihood of the product moving within the box (each time the package is handled, lifted, moved onto a tractor trailer etc.) increases exponentially with the empty space in the box.
Additionally, when a box is larger than necessary, it generally requires additional packaging materials to fill in the empty spaces. However, when a box is the correct size for your product, it will require fewer materials which allows for an efficient and effective way to pack. Additionally, since there is little to no empty space in a correctly fitted box, it reduces the time spent by employees packing shipments. Lastly, reducing the amount of packaging materials used, ultimately produces less waste.
Businesses also have an interest in ensuring they are ordering the correct size of boxes. Shipping companies charge their clients based upon weight and volume. As such, sending packages via a shipping company utilizing a box that accurately reflects the dimensions of the product(s) being shipped provides an opportunity to send those same packages more efficiently and effectively. When combined, these two factors provide a significant savings over time.
Lastly, storage is also an important consideration. Storing multiple sizes of boxes creates disorganization. Having just enough of each box size greatly improves organization as well as efficiency in preparation of packages. Many times, employees will have difficulty finding the appropriate box size for the particular product(s) they are attempting to pack. Employees can spend more of their time actually preparing packages for shipping rather than wasting their time trying to locate the proper box.
When considering whether or not cardboard boxes are recyclable, the majority of municipalities have recycling programs that accept cardboard boxes once they have been unpacked. Once unpacked, cardboard boxes can usually be flattened and recycled. By selecting a box that corresponds to your product, you will minimize the amount of cardboard required to complete your shipment.
Ultimately, your product’s characteristics and requirements should dictate your selection process when it comes to selecting a box. For example, some products are fragile and will require additional protection while others are made of durable materials and therefore may only require a properly sized box. Selecting a box based upon your product’s requirements eliminates guesswork associated with determining what size of a box would be suitable for your product.
In conclusion, taking a few minutes to select a cardboard box that corresponds with the product inside will go far towards protecting your products during transit; enhance employee productivity through reduced time spent packaging shipments; eliminate unnecessary waste generated by excess packaging materials; and ensure that your customers receive a clean, professional-looking packaged product.
