packaging and shipping

Using Packaging Innovations To Survive DIM Weight Changes

James RagsdaleLeave a comment

Dimensional weight has become a topic of discussion yet again as both FedEx and UPS have increased their rates, and it might be bad news for brands and consumers.

The good news is that there are ways to reduce the impact of dimensional weight changes and manage the pricing strategy. Much of it involves the elimination of air from a product packaging by reducing its size.

In this article, we will discuss some ways to prevent dimensional weight from increasing shipping prices significantly.

Reviewing packaging and shipping costs

If you are a small business, you will be pretty much concerned about rising costs. They include the costs of packaging supplies, equipment, and transportation. Understanding all of your operational costs can help you know where you are and predict where you have to be in your industry. You can stay organized and avoid hidden changes by reviewing and measuring these costs consistently.

Considering Hybrid shipping services

Small businesses can reduce shipping costs with hybrid shipping services. Utilizing USPS for the last mile of delivery is the best way to do so. You can get in contact with the USPS and negotiate a reduced price structure without having to sacrifice the delivery speed or consumer satisfaction. It is undoubtedly one of the best solutions for e-commerce brands and small businesses.

Customizing the box size

Box size matters more than you think. Understanding the difference between dimensional and actual weight can help you save a lot. You have to make sure to use the correct-sized corrugated box for each of your products. That could mean tossing the one-size-fits-all idea out of the window. Several companies offer individualized solutions to overcome dimensional weight challenges. You can consider using those solutions if they seem to benefit your bottom line.

Using a mailing envelop when possible

You can also reduce your package size by using a mailing envelope instead of a corrugated box. Not only do these envelopes cost less, but they are also environmentally friendly. The surface of these envelopes allows for high-quality printing, which means that they may also provide you a branding advantage. Nonetheless, ensure that your product doesn’t run the risk of getting damaged when packed in a mailing envelope.

Reducing protective packaging

The use of more protective materials adds significantly to the dimensional weight. The best way to counter this challenge is to think about the amount of protection your product actually requires. If you are using an unnecessary amount of void-fill inside product boxes, you may end up paying a significantly higher price for the product packaging and shipping. You will have to see what protective packaging products can be eliminated from the packaging process without sacrificing the safety of your product. Sure, it could require you to run several tests to see what works.

The best approach is to contact your packaging vendor and ask them how to reduce your package’s dimensional weight. They will recommend you the best solution out of their vast experience in the industry.

The World of ECommerce

James RagsdaleLeave a comment

The world is fast paced. We all know that things have been constantly changing and adapting ever since the dawn of time. But what is interesting for me to think about is the fact of exponential growth and all that. I mean, you look back over the history of a million years, and things generally remained the same as far as population growth, technology, and evolution. However, sometime around the 19th or 20th centuries, the world absolutely blew up and changed forever. Now we have more people on the face of the earth than have ever lived in the history of the world. To me, that is just totally crazy. It is true that our population is going to keep growing until the earth is bursting at the seams, ready to fall into complete and utter collapse at any moment. I personally believe that I will witness the fall of the United States and western civilization at some point in my life, and that is a truly scary thing to think about. My only hope is to drown out these thoughts with simple distractions and things like that.

Sorry that that got a little bit dark, as that was not my intention. I meant to begin talking about the ever-changing world of technology and eCommerce. If you are unfamiliar with the idea of eCommerce, then you have quite possibly been living under a rock for the last 10 years. All joking aside for now, eCommerce is seriously the future of our economy and of how global markets work with one another. ECommerce companies are basically companies that do not have any physical storefront presence, and can contribute all their sales to online websites and social media. I think that eCommerce is the future of our economy and is something that will begin to crowd out the market for physical goods.

I mean, just about anything you can buy in a store can be ordered online and shipped to you within a few days at this point. As long as you don’t mind a little bit of packing supplies and a cardboard box, your goods are just a few clicks away. The problem with eCommerce is that many people take advantage of cheap labor in lesser developed countries like China, India, Indonesia, the Philippines, and other eastern countries. I know for a fact that many eCommerce companies don’t really care about any of their employees or even the products that they are selling.

However, it is true that there are a lot of good eCommerce companies out there that are trying to do more than make a quick buck. Some eCommerce companies truly care about what they do and have a passion for the products that they sell. These companies are the best to buy from, because their passion translates into their products. I have personally found a lot of really good eCommerce companies that are willing to be helpful with customer service and with replacing any damaged products. While packing supplies is usually effective in keeping products safe, sometimes it can’t be helped when a product gets damaged while in transit. When working with a high quality eCommerce company, you’ll find that they are a lot more understanding and forgiving about these sorts of things and are quick to replace whatever damage has been done.

Is It Possible To Recycle Bubble Wrap

James RagsdaleLeave a comment

Bubble wrap has been one of the most popular packaging materials for over 50 years. The unique design and pliability of this packaging material protect valuable products of varying shapes and sizes.

While this material can protect products from damage during the supply chain process, it is necessary to understand its impact on the environment. The first question that comes to mind in this regard is about the recyclability of bubble wrap. You may also wonder about its eco-friendly alternatives.

What is bubble wrap?

Developed back in 1960, bubble wrap was used to ship heavy computers manufactured by IBM. Those computers required protection from something extremely shock-resistant, and bubble wrap did that job well. This packaging material proved to be more useful than other cushioning supplies such as newspaper, sawdust, and horsehair.

What is bubble wrap made of?

Bubble wrap is made of plastic sheets. One of these sheets contains thousands of tiny sealed air pockets. These pockets provide optimum protection against bumps and shocks generated during the shipping process. They absorb shocks to keep the packed goods safe and secure during harsh journeys.

Recyclability of bubble wrap

Bubble wrap produced these days can be put in a regular recycling bin, just like any other recyclable plastic product. The waste management company picks this bubble wrap and takes it to the recycling unit where it is recycled and repurposed to make different plastic products. While it is a recyclable product, it is not biodegradable, which means it will not decompose even after thousands of years.

Bubble wrap has proved to be a reliable and versatile protective product for nearly all types of products and packages. However, it has fallen under scrutiny in recent years. Amazon started using non-recyclable bubble wrap, causing a media uproar in different parts of the world. As a result, it had to shift to using paper and cardboard packaging.

The contamination problem remains unaddressed with so much bubble wrap being manufactured around the world and very little of it getting recycled due to misinformation. That has contributed to increased ocean pollution and overflowing landfills.

Alternatives to bubble wrap

With the help of modern technology, manufacturers have been able to produce many eco-friendly alternatives to bubble wrap. One such material is PuffPack, which consists of recycled paper. This product yields 50% better results compared to flat paper. That means you can use less of it without sacrificing the safety of your products. It consists of 100% recycled paper, and it is completely recyclable. It is also compost-ready.

Eco-friendly packing peanuts are another alternative to bubble wrap. These peanuts protect your goods just like regular packing peanuts. Made from 100% recyclable materials, this packaging product is also completely recyclable.

Is bubble wrap recyclable?

The short answer to this question is yes. However, it is necessary to consider the environmental impact of using oil-based plastics to protect your products during shipping. With a lot of alternatives available and each of those offering versatile benefits, you can choose the one that fits your requirements nicely.