b eyo nd peanuts & popcorn · integrated solid waste management office 200 n. main st., rm....
TRANSCRIPT
B eyond Peanuts & Popcorn
A practical guide to re-evaluatingpackaging for cost savings and waste
prevention
You’ll Learn:
Why packaging waste affects
your bottom line
How packaging trends enhance
business and the environment
Best ways to cut packaging waste
How to get employees and
suppliers on your side
City of Los AngelesBureau of Sanitation
Integrated Solid Waste Management Office200 N. Main St., Rm. 1450 CHE
Los Angeles, CA 90012Phone: (213) 237-1444 Fax: (213) 847-3054
County of Los AngelesDepartment of Public Works
900 S. Fremont AvenueAlhambra, CA 91803Phone: (818) 458-5100
This guide was prepared in cooperation with the following organizations:
County of Los Angeles Department of Public WorksCalifornia Resource Recovery Association
City of Los Angeles Departments of Harbor, General Services,and Airports
Greater Los Angeles Solid Waste Management AssociationInstitute of Packaging Professionals
Women in Packaging
June 1996
City of Los Angeles, Bureau of Sanitation, The Integrated Solid Waste ManagementOffice (ISWMO) and the County of Los Angeles, Department of Public Workswould like to acknowledge the Snohomish County, WA, Public Works Department,which developed this guide in 1995 and has generously allowed us to use thisvaluable information. ISWMO has made slight changes to the original and includedlocal case studies.
For additional copies of this guide, please contact ISWMO at (213) 237-1444
Beyond Peanuts & Popcorn...
A practical guide to re-evaluating packagingfor cost savings and waste prevention
Contents
Packaging Waste Affects Your Bottom LineSee what packaging waste costs you
Case Study # 1: Sears Cuts Incoming Excess PackagingCase Study #2: Target Saves Millions With Less Packaging
What ‘s the Problem with PackagingLearn how packaging contributes to solid waste and other environmental problemsCase Study #3: The Gas Company Gets “Uniform” Packaging
Trends in PackagingDiscover how current trends can help you
Case Study #4: IBM Switches to Recycled & Recyclable PackagingCase Studies #5 & #6: Reusing & Exchanging Packaging
Packaging Waste Prevention PrinciplesFour principles to apply in everyday decisionsCase Study #7: Corning’s RR& Packaging ProgramCase Study #8: Home Depot Involves Suppliers
Tips for Preventing Packaging WasteClues for taking advantage of savings in packagingCase Study #9: Hewlett-Packard: Innovative DistributionCase Study #10: Herman Miller: Manufacturer Responsibility
References
Other ResourcesBooks, Periodicals, and Organizations
Packaging Material Vendors
Prevent Packaging Waste
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City of Los Angeles, Bureau of Sanitation, Integrated Solid Waste Management Office and the County ofLos Angeles, Department of Public Works make no representations or warranties regarding companiesmentioned in this guide. The list of packaging material vendors in this publication is provided as a serviceto the public as possible sources for reduced packaging. This is only a partial listing and the City of LosAngeles and County of Los Angeles do not recommend these companies over any others.
Printed and photocopied on recycled paper with postconsumer content.
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n n Packaging Waste AffectsYour Bottom LineWaste can be easy to ignore. If managersconsider it at all, they think of used packagingin the trash as a necessary cost of business.Business people who choose packaging for theproducts they sell may not take time to learn allthe options or consider the environmental costsof their decisions. The realities of businesseconomics and competition, however, have away of making managers see the obvious:
Costs of packaging wasteLook at some of the many ways that packagingwaste you receive affects your profitability:
The costs of packaging with excess weightor unnecessary materials are passed on toyou through higher prices.Wasted packaging means more garbageand higher disposal costs.Recycling old packaging is great, but it canalso cost time and money.
Look at the ways your packaging choicesaffect your profitability and competitiveness:
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Unnecessary, or dual, packaging adds moreto materials and production costs.Extra weight or material adds totransportation costs.Bulky packaging means more storage andhandling costs.Disposable or one-use packaging costsmore in the long-run because of the rawmaterials, energy, and other resources usedin its production, distribution, and disposal.Packaging that doesn’t meet environmentalregulations in other states and countries canlimit your markets.Nonrecyclable packaging increases yourcustomers’ disposal costs and reflectspoorly on your product and company.Litter from fast-food and disposablepackaging is a form of pollution thatcreates a negative public image.
A major challenge for businesses everywhere isto reduce costs and stay competitive. One wayto meet these challenges is through carefulmanagement of solid waste, especially packag-ing, which is a large component of the wastestream. This guide provides information forengineering, marketing, purchasing, facilities,and solid waste and recycling managers onbasic strategies to prevent packaging waste, aswell as profiles of companies that have success-fully implemented packaging changes, resultingin practical and environmental benefits.
Why packaging?Containers and packaging are a major portion ofmunicipal solid waste. According to the EPA, 75million tons of container/packaging waste -35.9% of the total - were generated in 1994, a9% increase, by weight, over 1990.
Sears SavesMillions By Cutting PackagingIn 1991, Sears’ CEO sent a letter to each of his5,500 suppliers, asking them to reduce packag-ing and increase recycled content wherever theycould. Since then, Sears and its suppliers havesaved millions on labor, transportation & materi-als, and waste disposal.
Sears has reduced the costs of handlingabout 1,500 tons of corrugated containers atits distribution center each year.Individual screwdrivers and pliers aredisplayed on racks without packaging. Smallitems, formerly packaged in blister packs,are offered in open bins. This eliminatedover 180 tons of plastic packaging whilereducing the time it takes to restock shelves.Sears shopping bags have been reduced ingauge or weight, reducing materials used by20%. The company stocks only 4 differentbag sizes - down from 14.Sears’ packaging waste tonnage fromappliance boxes has been reduced by about600 tons of corrugated containers at itsdistribution center each year.
The Opportunities forSavings Can BeEnormousMany businesses are already realizingsignificant savings by using simpleprocedures to look more carefully at thepackaged goods they receive and sendBrief case studies in this guide providedetails of the benefits to packaging-wiseb u s i n e s s e s .
In some cases, the changes implementedwere “minor” using smaller bags orthinner strapping, or changing frombleached to unbleached paper. Otherbusinesses implemented major changes intheir packaging systems. In every case,when packaging was reduced - whetherthrough big changes or small steps -businesses saved money.
The total savings cited in our case studies,including those profiling lower materialvolume or more efficient work, tally in themillions. The benefits of reduced packagingalso included cuts in the amount of wastegenerated and/or disposed,. In addition,greater attention to packaging waste helpedimprove recycling programs at manyparticipating businesses.
The Coalition of Northeastern Governors(CONEG), which helps coordinate regionalaction in nine northeastern states, has made
reduce solid waste at the source. Sincepackaging waste a focus of its efforts to
1991, in response to “The CONEGChallenge: Voluntary Packaging Reductionsby Industry,” forty-two corporations havecut the amount of packaging waste theygenerated. Their efforts combined havereduced waste disposal by a total of 16million tons. Cost savings for 14 of thecompanies have reached $400 million.Participating companies included CoorsBrewing Company, which changedpackaging designs and reduced the weightof packaging materials; and Tom's of Maine, which now ships its mouth-washp r o d u c t w i t h o u t a b o x .
California hosts 90 of the 600+ TargetStores. In 1993, Target gave itself threeyears to achieve “trashless distribution;” bymid- 1996, an 80% reduction was achieved.The program saves Target at least $4.5million yearly in labor costs, and supover $3 million in packaging material.
A cross-departmental team of employeesspent many hours in store stockrooms
als and labor - are used from unloadingstudying how resources - packaging materi-
and transferring them to the displayfloor; the process for ‘softlines” - mainlyclothing - was labor intensive. Items likesweaters were wrapped individually and included pins, cardboard inserts, and plasticbags within boxes. Employees had to un-wrap and remove all this before the gar-ment could be displayed. The team realizedthe sytem could be changed dramaticallywith no effect on product quality or presen-tation. For example, 20 sweaters could beshipped in one plastic wrap. The "trashless"team advises:n Plan on 2-3 years to achieve maximum
g o a l s .n Observe operations and get employee
o p i n i o n s .n Iron out details and allay employee fears
with pilot programs.n Incorporate suppliers into the learning
process and give them time to adjust.
In most cases, the trashless team found that
charged for Target’s extra labor costs.
Contact Bill Boas at Target in Alhambra,CA (818) 308-3290; or Jim Bosch, Man-.ager, Target Environmental Department, inMinneapolis (612) 304-6073.
n n What’s the Problem with Packaging?To appreciate the importance of packaging inthe modern world, just remember that thepackaging industry does about $84 billion worthof business each year. It’s the third largestindustry in the country, larger than most of theindustries it serves, and it employs more peoplethan any other single industry.¹
Packaging servesmany needsBy current estimates, the typical consumerpackage travels as many as 12,500 miles fromits initial manufacture to its final destination.During its journey from manufacturer todistributor to retailer to customer, the consumerpackaging and all the related transport packagingfor any one product will serve many differentpurposes. Obviously, packages containproducts. They also preserve or protect theproduct. Packages may have special qualitiesthat make it convenient for consumers to use,
retailer’s shelf. These boxes are often shipped tothe retailer in layers of transport packaging:shipping cartons with lots of filling, stacked onwood pallets, and covered by plasticstretchwrap.
Packaging and theenvironmentAmerican companies and consumers dispose oftwice as much packaging today as they did justthree decades ago-from 27 million tons peryear in 1960 to 57 million tons in 1988 (seeFigure 1). According to the EnvironmentalProtection Agency (EPA), materials used inpackaging account for about one-third of all themunicipal solid waste generated in the UnitedStates each year. The most widespreadpackaging materials in the waste stream arepaper and paperboard, metal, glass, and plastic.2
Wasted packaging has other environmental
for retailers to display, or for-distributorsto ship. Some packages must betamperproof or help prevent shoplifting.
Increase in Waste Packaging
Virtually all packages communicateinformation-some required by law,
Millionsof tons
some to help sell the product. Most 65
consumer packaging also markets 60
products by projecting images intended 55
to tempt people or make them feel good 50about buying. 45
To meet such different needs, packagingoften consists of many layers. For
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example, potato chip makers use bags 30
made of as many as 19 different layers, 25some less than one-hundredth of an inch 20thick. Furthermore, individually 1960 1965 1 9 7 0 1 9 7 5 1 9 8 0 1 9 8 5 1 9 9 0 1 9 9 5packaged items may be packed in aseparate box that is displayed on the Source: Environmental Action Foundation. Washington, DC, 1992
Packaging in Solid Waste
Source: EPA I990
impacts. The effects of packaging on resourceconsumption and pollution were the focus of anambitious study in the early 1990s by the TellusInstitute, a Boston-based environmental re-search group. The study, sponsored by the stateof New Jersey, looked at different types ofpackaging: glass, aluminum, steel, five types ofpaper, and six types of plastic. The table belowshows the resource and environmental impact ofeach type of packaging when assigned amonetary cost.
Per ton impacts ofselected packaging materials
Material Impact ($/ton)Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) ........... $5,288Polyethylene terephthalate (PET)...$1,108Polystyrene. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $620Polypropylene . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ 6 0 2Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) . . . $580High-density polyethylene (HDPE) . . .$537Bleached kraft paperboard . . . . . . . . . . $443Unbleached kraft paper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $390Virgin boxboard.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . $382Recycled boxboard. . . . . . . . . . . . $247100% virgin aluminum ................. $1,963100% recycled aluminum . . . . . . . . . . $342S t e e l. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $362Virgin glass .... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $157Recycled glass................................ $127Source: Biocycle, April 1993
The study cautions that, because the impactsare measured by weight, the impacts ofindividual packages are more complicated.When researchers compared individual forms ofsmall juice and soft drink containers, andhamburger and microwave dinner packaging,some plastics and aseptic (or brick) packagingcame out looking “relatively good,” according toFrank Ackerman, the principal investigator.‘This result can be understood as aconfirmation of the importance of sourcereduction (emphasis added). As attractive andvaluable as recycling is, reducing the use ofmaterial is even better for the environment, interms of production and disposal.³
Southern California GasCompany Saves $40,000with Uniform Program
This utility distributes about 55,000 newuniforms (shirts and pants) to employees eachyear. These used to arrive carefully foldedaround a cardboard rectangle, ten pinned andinserted into a plastic bag. One of the com-pany’s continuous improvement internalconsultants calculated that this type ofmeticulous finishing cost between $1.05-$3.25per unit; the cost without using this packaging isroughly $.20-.25 per unit. Since the excessive packaging benefits no one, the consultantrecommended its elimination.Laundry roomstaff are happy with the change; it's easier toshelve uniforms without the slippery plasticbags. (Contact: Bryan Gordon, The Gas Co.(213) 244-5615).
nnTrends in Packaging
changes in packagingPackaging types and packaging materials evolveconstantly in response to social, economic, andenvironmental pressures as well as changes intechnology.
Many of the biggest changes occur in foodpackaging. Food packaging has contributedenormously to reducing food waste and tomaking fresh foods available year round.Though some convenience packaging isgimmicky and faddish, the increased use ofconvenience packaging is in part a response tothe trend of more parents working outside thehome and having less time to cook.
For decades, technology and material changeshave helped manufacturers produce lighterweight packaging. Manufacturers and theircustomers save money in resources andtransportation if they get the same performancewith less material.
Between 1950 and 1980, aluminum beveragecans became 60 percent lighter. Glass bottlescut 20 percent from their weight between 1960and 1975, and since the late 1970s, the weightof 2-liter PET plastic bottles has dropped 25percent4
Another important trend is toward greater useof recycled materials in packaging. Much of thisadvance occurs with few people ever knowingabout it. Today, because of theinstitutionalization of recycling collectionprograms and investments in recyclingprocessing technology, more basic forms ofpackaging-cardboard boxes, glass bottles,metal cans, and plastic containers-containgreater amounts of post-consumer recycledcontent than they did a decade ago.
IBM Switches ToRecvcled &
Recyclable Packaging for Bank Printers
IBM’s search for an easily-recycled cushioningmaterial for a banking printer led the companyto Corrupad Protective Packaging. Corrupad isa multi-layered cushioning product madeentirely of postconsumer wastepaper. Duringtesting, Corrupad exceeded specifications ofIBM’s required Packaged Product Test. Thematerial absorbs impact and minimizes therebound that is often found in resilient foammaterials.
While it is difficult to calculate the cost savingsthat have been realized from the switch toCorrupad, consider the following:
n The use of Corrupad did not require customtooling. This saved over $20,000 in moldcosts that would have been needed forexpanded polystyrene.
n Using Corrupad enabled a total package sizereduction reduced shipping-costs anestimated 10%.
n The reduced size package requires lessstorage space and helps maximize palletloads.loads.
One of the immediate benefits of the newpackaging was improved customer perception ofit recyclability. In addition, IBM received theWorld State Award from the World PackagingOrganization and an honorable mention in the1994 Arneristar competition of the Institute ofPackaging Professionals.
Contacts: David Beresid of CorrupadProtective Packaging: (708) 238-8090.
Source: Packaging Digest, May 1995, CahnersPublishing Co.
The work is not yet done. For every newlightweight, environmentally sensible packagethat makes it to the marketplace, there aredozens of older, more wasteful packages still inuse because a business was unwilling or didn’thow enough about packaging options to makea change. Any one of the many package layersor steps in the production-marketing process canoffer valuable opportunities to preventpackaging waste.
onsumer attitudesDespite ongoing change in the packaging field,surveys of attitudes about garbage suggest thatthe public perceives packaging as a large part ofthe solid waste problem. For example, in a 1993poll, Opinion Research Corporation askedrandomly selected consumers for unpromptedanswers to a question about the “single mostimportant environmental issue.” For the firsttime in the five years since the pollwas conducted, solid waste (citedby 23 percent) surpassed air quality(20 percent) and water quality (16percent) in importance. This wasespecially true among eighteen totwenty-four year old respondents,who are often targeted bymarketers.5
use too much packaging, and about one-third said that regardless of other factorsthey would “reject products that appearto be overpackaged.”6
According to the 1995 survey by PackagingDigest “Consumers see source reduction andthe use of recycled materials as a growing trendin solving the problem of packaging waste.More than a third would like to see simplerpackaging that uses less material, up slightlyfrom last year. 19 percent want packagingmade from recycled materials, up from 17percent in 1994. Older consumers were morestrongly in favor of source reduction, while theyounger generation votes for recyclability.
“In order to help reduce packaging waste, 7 outof 10 households buy packages that recycleeasily, half buy concentrated products in smallerpackages, and 3 out of 10 buy products in largersizes. Twenty percent say they are willing tobuy unpackaged products from bulk bins, and
Recent consumer surveys byPackaging and Packaging Digestmagazines indicate that con-cern about the environmentplays an important role inconsumer decision making.Packaging magazine’s 1994survey found that “The recy-cling of used packaging hasgrown over the years.“ Animpressive 85% of the surveyrespondents said that recy-cling used packaging is “ex-tremely” or “somewhat impor-tant.” More than eight out often believe that some products
Packaging Reduction EarnsConsumer Praise
nearly 40 percent will reject packages thatappear to be overpackaged."7
Governmental responses
The presence of some types of packaging inmunicipal solid waste streams has caused manylocal, state, and national governments to estab-lish policies and programs to address the issuesinvolved.
Governments throughout the U.S., Canada, andEurope have used a range of policy options toprovide incentives for or put pressure onmanufacturers and others to reduce packagingwaste in the waste stream. Some governmentshave opted for outright bans on certain types ofpackaging (e.g., single-serve or disposable foodpackaging) or on types of packaging materials(e.g., polystyrene packaging for fast foodcontainers). Others have placed special fees,taxes, or other levies on particular types ofpackaging that are not recyclable or that maypose toxic threats. Such levies may also beused on types of packaging that create additionalburdens on the community, such as litter.Deposit laws in “bottle bill” states are examplesof such an approach.
Finally, some governments in Canada andEurope are moving toward laws that requiremanufacturers and others to be responsible forall the costs (disposal, recycling, etc.) associatedwith the waste created by their packaging. Themanufacturer responsibility or stewardshipapproach uses the “polluter pays” principle, or inthis case the “manufacturer of waste pays.”Proponents of this approach argue that suchefforts will internalize the costs of waste pack-aging, allowing the free market economy tocreate price signals that will encourage
n n Packaging Waste Prevention PrinciplesThe following basic principles help preventpackaging waste. These principles have beendeveloped, tested, and championed by theleading makers of packaging, trade associations,and solid waste management agencies.*
Eliminate unnecessary
The principles described here should be treatedas a type of hierarchy, meaning they are listed inorder of priority. If different packaging optionsconflict with one another, choose the one thatresults in less waste generation or resourceuse-the option higher on the list. For example,a company with the option to use a recycled/recyclable package versus a refillable packageshould choose a refillable package made fromthe least amount of material possible.
packagingGo into any retail store, and you will likely seemany products sold without a package-everything from oranges to swearers tohammers. Just as likely, however, you will alsofind products that were sold for decades withoutpackaging now boxed, wrapped orcontainerized.
The modem American marketplace, with itsemphasis on information, marketing, bar codesand security, often makes it difficult to sellproducts without packaging. Nonetheless, withconsideration and thought, many products canstill be sold as is-no wrapper-withoutjeopardizing the product’s integrity ormarketability.
Equally important for businesses, it is oftenpossible to eliminate one or more of the manylayers of packaging that now surround productsfrom the time they are manufactured to the timethey are consumed.
M inimize the number andamount of materials usedin required packagingDecreasing material use in packaging ofteninvolves changing packaging designs. It can alsomean changes to the product itself. The overallgoal of such changes is to achieve a greaterproduct to package ratio. Many techniques areavailable to accomplish these reductions:n Make the product available in bulk or
concentrate forms.n Make the product more durable or change its
structure to cut the packaging used.n Decrease the weight of materials used.n Decrease the volume of the package, also
called “reducing the cube” because it reducesthe cubic measurement of the package.
n Shave off excess material; “cut the comers .”n Choose fewer materials.n Use consumable packages. These are
packaging materials that are consumedthrough the use of the product (e.g., watersoluble packets for a product that is mixed inwater).
n Substitute materials to reduce a package’stoxicity.
n Alter the display packaging (e.g., use onelarge display to hold minimally packagedsingle products ratherthan packaging each
Product topackage ratio
The product to package ratio is ameasure of the net weight of theproduct being sold compared to theweight of consumer packaging.Business and solid waste managersuse the product to package ratio as atool to evaluate the benefits of newpackaging systems. It can also beused as a measure of progresstoward a specific goal. For example,a company may set a goal toincrease its product to package ratioby 25 percent overall. By calculatingratios for individual products andweighting the progress based onnumbers of each product sold, thecompany can track their overallprogress toward this goal. Thoughmost product to package ratios havebeen weight-based, they can also bedone on a volume basis. As anexample, consider the product topackage ratios for several forms oftoothpaste packaging:
product singly tomaximize shelfspace). Package
ProductWeight(grams)
PackageWeight(grams)
Prod/PkgRatio
6.4 oz tube+carton
6 oz stand-up tube6 oz neat squeeze6 ozpump
181 9.3 (tube) 7.116.2 (carton)
170 12.7 13.4170 30.4 5.6181 69.5 2.6
Source: Procter and Gamble as shown in Warmer Bulletin, February 1995.
choose refillable orreusable packagingmaterials and support reusein other applications
Refillable packaging is returned to a manufac-turer or supplier and used again for its originalpurpose. Reusable packaging is designed to beused again, for the same product or for adifferent product or application than originallyintended.
Some consumer packaging is designed to berefillable (e.g., detergent bottles that are refilledfrom concentrate products) or reusable (e.g.,jelly jars that become juice glasses). Some ofthe biggest opportunities for refillable or reus-able packaging arise in the form of transportpackaging, moving materials or products frommanufacturer to distributor, or from distributorto retailer. Here are some tips to keep in mind:
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Adapt manufacturing and distributionsystems to allow for greater use of refillablepackaging.
Watch for specific, sometimes limited,opportunities to employ refillable orreusable packaging (e.g., repeat customers).
Store and reuse the packaging materials youreceive.
Design packages for reuse and showcustomers how to take advantage of this
“extra value.”
When refillable orreusable makes sense
A 1994 study by the groupINFORM, Inc., New York City,called “Delivering the Goods:Benefits of Reusable ShippingContainers,” found that refillableor reusable shipping containersgene ra l l y work bes t i napplications involving thefollowing factors:n Short distribution distancesn Frequent deliveriesn Small number of parties/
customersn Company-owned vehicles
Other factors for someapplications would be theabsence of prolonged storageoutdoors or exposure to weatheror other adverse conditions.
use recyclablepackaging or recycledcontentpackagingn Packaging should be made of materials that are
generally recycled in most communities,meaning there is a well-developed system forcollecting, processing, and remarketing thematerial.
n Package designs should take into account basicissues of recyclability (i.e., labels, tape, seals,inks, closures).
n Materials should not be combined or boundunnecessarily. Make packaging componentseasy to separate for recycling.
n As much as possible, packaging should be madeof materials that contain the highest proportionof post-consumer recycled content.
Corning Inc. Implements a Return, Recycle, and Reuse Program
Corning Inc.‘s Telecommunications Products Division has embarked on an ambitious campaign toreduce waste - they, in partnership with Re-Source America Inc. and Coming’s optical fibercustomers, have developed a unique and patented system to recover all packaging material used inthe transport, deployment and storage of Corning Optical Fiber.
The first step in the process was to design a package that would not only hold up after numeroususes, but also have the same degree of quality as new packaging material. Corning accomplishedthis by redesigning its blue shipping spool and adding a unique plastic shipping spool cover. Thespool cover gives added protection to the optical fiber and to the spool during shipment to cus-tomer locations world-wide. The spool is placed into a corrugated shipping container.
Based on a system first developed by Re-Source America, a return shipping label is applied to eachshipping container of optical fiber that leaves Corning’s Wilmington, North Carolina, facility. Thereturn label contains instructions for using the return system along with a prepaid return addresslabel. The return label is key to the system’s simplicity and facilitates the return/recycle/reuseProgram.
All Corning packaging material is returned to Re-Source America for quality inspection. Re-SourceAmerica cleans all spools and covers, inspects to assure like-new criteria and returns qualifiedpackaging material to Corning for reuse. Material deemed not reusable by Corning is recycled byRe-Source America.
In operation for almost two years, Corning has experienced a customer return rate of over 95% anda similar reuse rate. It is estimated that the Corning Return/ Recycle/Reuse Program has eliminatedover one million tons of refuse from local landfills throughout the U.S., Canada and Mexico.Further, Corning estimates that over 60 million BTUs of energy per ton of plastic is saved in themanufacture of new spools and spool covers alone.
Contact: Mary Robinson with Re-Source America, Inc.(508) 352-2062
Home Depot Involves Suppliers
Home Depot, the largest home improvement retailer in the U.S., initiated a win-win situationwhen it began the move to eliminate wooden pallets. In 1991, it spent nearly as much moneydisposing of pallets as it had purchasing them (roughly $1 million each way). To maintainunitized loads without pallets, Home Depot requested that its vendors ship their products onslipsheets.
This conversion represented a win-win situation as both Home Depot and its vendors were ableto reduce costs. The vendors realized savings from reduced packaging costs - slipsheets costabout one-fifth of what a pallet cost- and reduced shipped costs (a slipsheet weighs about 50pounds less than a pallet and takes up much less cubic space in a trailer). Home Depotbenefitted primarily from no longer having to deal with the disposal of excess pallets at its stores.In addition, both partners benefitted from reduced product damage and the elimination of backinjuries from lifting heavy pallets.
n n Tips for Preventing Packaging Waste
Make a commitmentAsk managers or decisionmakers for acommitment to include environmental issuesamong the criteria for choosing packaging. Thecompany may already have an environmentalpolicy statement. Now is a good opportunity toput it to work to prevent packaging waste.
If your company doesn’t have such a policystatement, here’s a sample to get you started:
“Our company recognizes our responsibility torespect and preserve the earth’s preciousresources. It is our goal to make choices thatdemonstrate a spirit of partnership and reflectour interdependent relationship with the earth.As part of this responsibility, we are committedto pursuing environmentally sound packagingprograms based on the principles of packageelimination, minimization, reusability,recyclability, and recycled content whereverpossible.”
Set realistic goalsGet a clear idea of what you want toaccomplish-what things are most important?Goals should be high enough to motivate, yetrealistic, so people can reach them. To theextent possible, goals should be set to:n Minimize or Reduce Packaging (see “Product
to Package Ratio”) andn Use More Post-Consumer Recycled Content
in Packaging.
Packaging waste prevention goals should havedue dates or deadline goals, and they should beconsistent with other company goals. Forgreater success, relate packaging goals to otherimportant goals, such as business purpose,productivity, and profitability.
Foster TeamworkWork with as many affected departments orindividuals as practical. Make sure that anydepartment or individual who might be anobstacle is consulted about goals and plans.Because packaging serves diverse needs, manydifferent people may need a voice in the planand a stake in achieving the goals (See CaseStudy #5).
Stay flexibleBecause many factors affect a company’sdecisions about packaging, one shouldremember that there is no “one best packagingsolution” or, on the flip side, no “worst-of-all-evils packaging system,” though everyoneprobably has a few candidates to nominate.Stay flexible, listen to all points of view, get thebest information and options available, andmake progress toward your goals.
Inform and motivateMake sure people in your company, frombottom to top, know about the company’scommitment to preventing packaging waste.This can be done through company bulletins,newsletters, signs and posters, messages oncompany forms, E-mail notices, or otheravailable means.
Motivation can be developed through effective,messages and incentives. Incentives may beespecially effective in drawing out suggestionsfor packaging waste prevention fromemployees.
Incoming packaging waste
Identify target materialsWhat packaging materials are being disposed orrecycled by significant volume or weight? Thiscan be determined by conducting waste auditsof company departments or by conducting abrief “dumpster dive” to identify particularlytroublesome waste materials. Sometimes,conducting audits of the purchasing departmentwill provide useful information about thevolumes of different products being purchasedand the implications this may have forpackaging.
Detrash area providesvaluable information
To improve their recycling program andget accurate feedback from theirreceiving department, Hewlett-Packardin Lake Stevens set up a "detrash" area.Here all transport packaging and someconsumer packaging is removed beforethe items are distributed to the department or individual who orderedthem. Company managers have foundthe detrash area concept is an efficientway to consolidate recyclable items. It isalso the best place to identify wastefulpackaging.
Get help from people in the knowLine workers and employees in receiving areasare in the position to identify wastefulpackaging. They usually unload boxes and hauldiscarded materials to dumpsters or recyclingcontainers. Due to experience, they can detect
overpackaged materials or wasteful suppliers.Ask for their help and, if appropriate, offerincentives or bonuses to solicit their ideas.
In addition, buyers and procurement agentswithin the company are good sources ofinformation about suppliers and procedures.
Ink Stamps or Labels:Messages can be made into ink stamps orinexpensive labels and applied to packagesin a receiving department; or photocopythese messages -and post in shipping,receiving, and other areas. These willencourage feedback from line workers tothe purchasing agents responsible forspecifying packaging to vendors.
Involve suppliersYou are the customer. You have the power ofyour checkbook. Ask all of your suppliers to:n share your company’s commitment,n identify and use less wasteful packaging
alternatives, andn spread the news that preventing packaging
waste helps the community.
A sample form and letter to get cooperationfrom suppliers are below and on the next page.Please feel free to use these in your ownprogram.
Communicate procurementpreferencesWhen you request bids or send purchase orders,let your vendors know what you do or don’twant in their packaging. They may not always
be able to accommodate your request, butsometimes simply asking for what you want isall it takes.
A standard clause for use in your bid forms ororder specifications could read like this:“Preference will be given to suppliers that useenvironmentally sound packaging practices: forexample, no packaging; reusable, returnable, orrecyclable packaging; or packaging containingrecycled content.”
Get and use feedbackMake sure that information flows from thepeople who have it to the people who can use it.In the case of packaging, the best example is theneed for information exchange between thepeople who purchase goods and specifyappropriate packaging and the people whoreceive the company’s packaged goods.
0 utgoing packagingwaste
Identify waste preventionopportunitiesList all the packaging materials purchased orused by your company for different products.Prioritize packaging into categories: change assoon as possible, look at later, and necessaryfor the time being.
Assess packaging needsList all the functions or specifications that thepackaging must meet (see sample NeedsAssessment form on the next page). Asdiscussed previously, packaging must oftensatisfy a range of needs for protection,convenience, marketing, and communication.Identify and quantify the specific requirementsas much as possible.
Apply the waste preventionhierarchy to each product/packageFor each layer, material, step, or process relatedto the product and package, ask how the goalsof the hierarchy could be met. Don’t stop withyour own assessment. If possible, invitecompeting packaging vendors to give you theirideas and use this information to supplementyour overall assessment. Alternatively, hire apackaging engineer or consultant to gather andanalyze the necessary information and developnew packaging alternatives.
In-house coordinationInvolve as many affected individuals ordepartments as practical throughout the process,especially at critical stages. Too often,motivated individuals within a company see theopportunity for waste prevention and marshalforces behind useful changes, only to see their
efforts thwarted because they fail to get inputfrom a key player early in the process.
Test your new packaging ideasPlanning, cost comparisons, meetings, and“what ifs” only go so far. Work withpackaging suppliers to develop workingsamples of packaging that meet youreconomic, performance and environmentalneeds. Many times new improvements,solutions, problems and questions come upduring the trial phase.
Herman Miller: Customers PromptedPackaging Redesign
Herman-Miller (HM), a manufacturer of high-quality office and institutional furniture,became involved with waste prevention after itcreated an enormous waste disposal problemfor one of its large customers. In 1986, HMshipped a very large order worth $20,000,000to a customer in New York. The disposal billfor all the furniture packaging came to nearlyone million dollars ($900,000)! This was acompletely unanticipated expense - that thecustomer didn’t appreciate; Herman-Millerended up paying a portion of the disposalcosts. This episode quickly set the companyon the road to waste prevention.
Today, HM offers its customers severaldifferent packaging options. Based on the sizeof the order, which usually determines thedistribution method, the customer may receiveminimaIly-packaged merchandise. This consistsprimarily of internal supports, corrugated trays,and reusable blanket padding that HM takesback, representing a huge 70% packagingreduction over a fully-cartoned product.
Source: An Ounce of Prevention, CaliforniansAgainst Waste Foundation, 1994.
References
1. Robert F. Testin, “Packaging: Its Forms and 6. “Consumers Want It All-And Now,”Functions,” presented at “The Science of Packaging, August 1994, pp. 40-43.Packaging: Beyond Store Shelves andLandfills” training program, Auburn, WA, 7. “Consumers Rate Packaging Traits,”October 14, 1994. Packaging Digest, July 1995, pp. 22-25.
2. Packaging and Solid Waste: ManagementStrategies, Lewis Erwin and L. Hall Healy,Jr., American Management Association,1990.
3. Frank Ackerman, “Analyzing the True Costsof Packaging,” Biocycle, April 1993, pp. 68-70.
4. Alter, H., ‘The Future Course of Solid WasteManagement in the U.S.,” WasteManagement & Resources, September 1991,pp. 3-20.
5. The Total Package: The Evolution and SecretMeaning of Boxes, Bottles, Cans, and Tubes,by Thomas Hine, Little, Brown and Co.,Boston, 1995.
8. The packaging waste prevention policiesdescribed here, or a similar set, have beenendorsed by the following organizations:n Council of Northeastern Governorsn Institute of Packaging Professionalsn Washington Retail Associationn The electronics industry, through its
Reduction, Reuse and Recycling ofProtective Packaging Task Force
n Grocery industry associationsn Fast-Food Restaurants Association
n n ResourcesBooks, Directories &Reports
Buyer’s Guide 1995-I 996, The National WoodPallet Container Association (NWPA), (703)527-7667; e-mail: [email protected]
An Ounce of Prevention: Strategies for Cut-ting Packaging Waste, Californians AgainstWaste Foundation. (916) 443-8317. Cost $25
Case Reopened: Reassessing RefillableBottles, David Saphire, INFORM, Inc., NewYork, 1994. (2 12) 689-4040
CSG/Tellus Packaging Study: Assessing theImpacts of Reduction and Disposal ofPackaging and Public Policy Measures toAlter the Mix, Tellus Institute, Council of StateGovernments, Lexington, KY, 1992.
Delivering the Goods: Benefits of ReusableShipping Containers, David Saphire,INFORM, Inc., New York, 1994.
Directory of Contract Packagers and theirFacilities 1996-97, Institute of PackagingProfessionals. (800) 432-4085. Price $35
Directory of Packaging Consultants, 19951996, Institute of Packaging Professionals.(800) 432-4085. Cost $25
Environmental Packaging: U.S. Guide toGreen Labeling, Packaging and Recycling,updated continually, Thompson PublishingGroup, (800) 677-3789 Cost $400 annually
Green Products by Design: Choices for aCleaner Environment, Congress of the UnitedStates, Office of Technology Assessment(OTA-E-541), October 1992.
Handbook for Environmentally ResponsiblePackaging in the Electronics Industry, TheReduction, Reuse, and Recycling of ProtectivePackaging (R3P2) Task Group, July 1992. Formore information, contact the Institute forPackaging Professionals. (800) 432-4085
Less Waste on the Loading Dock: CompetitiveStrategy and the Reduction of LogisticalPackaging Waste, Yale University School ofForestry and Environmental Studies, WorkingPapers, Program on Solid Waste Policy, 1995
National WoodRecycling Directory, Jan. 1996,American Forest & Paper Association. (202)463-2700
The “Official ” Recycled Products Guide(RPG), published annually by Recycling DataManagement Corp., $195 for most currentdirectory. (800) 267-0707
Packaging in America in the 1990's:Packaging’s Role in Contemporary AmericanSociety, 1990, available from Institute ofPackaging Professionals. (800) 432-4085.cost $5
Packaging Reduction, Recycling and DisposalGuidelines, 1993, Institute of PackagingProfessionals. (800) 432-4085. Cost $5
Packaging and Solid Waste: ManagementStrategies, Lewis Erwin and L. Hall Healy,American Management Association, 1990.Available from Institute of PackagingProfessionals. (800) 432-4085. Cost $10
Packaging Waste Management: Learningfrom the German Experience, available fromInstitute of Packaging Professionals(800) 432-4085. Cost $67
The Packaging Waste Reduction Guide:Minimizing Solid Waste Through EfficientProcurement Practices, Federation of CanadianMunicipalities, 1994.
Pallets: Management & Markets, Dec. 1994,Sherrie Gruder, University of Wisconsin Exten-sion. (608) 262-0385.
Books, Directories, &Reports (continued)
Preferred Packaging Guidelines, 1994,California Integrated Waste ManagementBoard (CIWMB), (916) 255-2200. Free
Preferred Packaging ProcurementGuidelines, 1992, Washington State RetailAssociation. (206) 943-9198
Recycled Plastic Products Source Book, 96,American Plastics Council. (800) 243-5790
Recycled Products Guide, 1995, CleanWashington Center. (206) 587-5520
Reusable Transport Packaging Directory,Oct. 1995, Minnesota Office ofEnvironmental Assistance. (800) 657-3843
State Recycling Laws Update, updatedcontinually, published by RaymondCommunications. (301) 345-4237.
Stretch Wrap Recycling: A -How-To Guide,1994, American Plastics Council. (800) 243-5790
PeriodicalsEuropean Packaging Newsletter & WorldReport (703) 519-3907
Packaging Digest Magazine650 S. Clark St., 6th FloorChicago, IL 60605(847) 635-8800
Packaging Strategies122 So. Church St.West Chester, PA 19382(6 10) 436-4220 or (800) 524-PACK
Recycled Products Business Letter, newsletter,Environmental Newsletters, Inc.,(703) 758-8436. Cost $149 annually
The RPG Reporter, newsletter, published byRecycling Data Management Corp.(800) 267-0707 Cost $115 annually. Can alsosubscribe in conjunction with The “OfficialRecycled Products Guide; see ‘Books,Directories & Reports” section
Waste Reduction Tips, bi-monthly newsletter,Environmental Newsletters, Inc.,(703) 758-8436. Cost $97/year
The Total Package: The Evolution andSecret Meaning of Boxes, Bottles, Cans andTubes, by Thomas Hine, Little Brown andCo., Boston, 1995.
Who’s Who and What’s What inPackaging, 1996, Institute of PackagingProfessionals. (800) 432-4085. Price $130
0 rganizations/Agencies
American Plastics Council1275 K St., NW, Ste. 400Washington, DC 20005Ph: (202) 371-5319 Fax: (202) 37l-5679
Association of Container Reconditioners8401 Corp Drive, Ste. 140Landover, MD 20785-2224Ph: (301) 577-3786 Fax: (301) 577-6476
Association of Foam Packaging Recyclers1275 K St., Ste. 400Washington, DC 20005Ph: (202) 371-2491 Ph: (800) 944-8448Fax: (202) 371-1284
Californians Against Waste Foundation926 J St., Ste. 606Sacramento, CA 95814Ph: (916) 443-8317 Fax: (916) 443-3912
California Integrated Waste ManagementBoard (CIWMB)8800 Cal Center DriveSacramento, CA 95826Ph: (916) 255-2200 Fax: (916) 255-2228
Corrugated Packaging Council2850 Gold Rd.Rolling Meadows, IL 60008 .Ph: (847) 364-9600 Fax: (847) 364-9639http://www.loa.com/corrugated
Council on Packaging in the Environment1255 23 St., NWWashington, DC 20037Ph: (202) 33l-0099 Fax: (202) 833-3636
Fibre Box Association2850 Golf Rd.Rolling Meadows, IL 60008Ph: (847) 364-9600 Fax: (847) 364-9639
Flexible Packaging Association (FPA)1090 Vemont Ave. NW, Ste. 500Washington, DC 20005Ph: (202) 842-3880 Fax: (202) 842-3841
Glass Packaging Institute1801 K St.Washington, DC 20006Ph: (202) 887-4850
INFORM, Inc.381 Park Avenue SouthNew York, NY 10016-88006Ph: (2 12) 689-4040 Fax: (2 12) 447-0689
Institute of Packaging Professionals-Natl.481 Carlisle Dr.Herndon, VA 22070Ph: (703) 318-8970 Fax: (703) 318-0310
Institute of Packaging Professionals-CA.P.O. Box 5763Diamond Bar, CAPh: (909) 86l-7225 Fax: (909) 86l-0621
National Institute of Packaging, Handlingand Logistics Engineers (NIPHLE)6902 Lyle St.Lamham, MD 20706Ph: (30 1) 459-9105 Fax: (301) 459-4925
National Recycling Coalition, Inc. (NRC)1727 King St, Ste. 105Alexandria, VA 22070Ph: (703) 683-9025 Fax: (703) 683-9026
National Wooden Pallet and ContainerAssociation1800 North Kent St., Ste. 911Arlington, VA 22209Ph: (703) 527-7667 Fax: (703) 527-7717
0 rganizations/Agencies (continued)
Paper and Paperboard PackagingEnvironmental Council701 Evans Ave., Ste. 400Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada M9C lA3Ph: (416) 626-0350 Fax: (416) 626-7054
Plastic Bag Association355 Lexington Ave., 17th Fl.New York, NY 10017Ph: (212) 661-4261 Fax: (212) 370-9047
Polystyrene Packaging Council1025 Connecticut Ave. NW, Ste. 515Washington, DC 20036Ph: (202) 822-6424 Fax: (202) 33l-0250
Resource America, Inc.P.O. Box 339Georgetown, MA 01833Ph: (508) 352-2062 Fax: (508) 352-5616
Steel Recycling Institute21 Tamal Vista Blvd., Ste. 210Cortemadera, CA 94925Ph: (4 15) 924-9077 Fax: (415) 924-0865
Women in Packaging-National4290 Bells Ferry Road, Rm. 106-l7Kennesaw, GA 30144-3100(770) 924-3563 Fax: (770) 928-2338
Women in Packaging-CAc/o Williamette Industries18021 S. Valley View AvenueCerritos, CA 90701Ph: (714) 523-9221 Fax: (714) 523-9231
Alternative Shipping Products
Cryovac, W.R. Grace and Co.Duncan, SC 29334Ph: (800) 845-3456
Description: “Fast-Break” is a cohesive compound used tosecure a load on a pallet. “Fast-Break” is a source reducedalternative to stretch wrap. It is a clear, non-toxic, non-flammable, bonding cohesive that is jet-sprayed on shippingcontainers as they move along a conveyor. “Fast-Break” doesnot affect the recyclability of corrugated cardboard or kraftpaper
Delkor Systems, Inc.9641 Naples St. NEMinneapolis, MN 55449Ph: (612) 783-0855 Fax: (612) 783-0875
“SPOT-PAK” is a shrink-wrap packaging process that reducespackaging needed for food products, “SPOT-PAK” works by bondingplastic food containers to a flat cardboard base with lines of hotmeltadhesive before wrapping. Once the package is opened, the foodcontainers break free of the base. “SPOT-PAK” adhesive is a food-grade produce that is fully compatible with cardboard recycling.
Packaging Material VendorsThis section lists a variety of national and local vendors that sell virtually every type of packaging - from bagsto boxes and “popcorn” to pallets.
A listing in this guide does not constitute an endorsement by the County or City of Los Angeles.
heading company address
bags Berg Bag Company 410 3rd Avenue N.
bags lvex Corporation 292 Logan Avenue
city, state, zip phone product
Minneapolis, MN 55401 888-BERG-BAG Reusable Bags - Burlap, Canvas,Cotton & Woven Polypropylene
Joliet, IL 60540 815-740-3838 Bleached Kraft Paper Bags
bags Longview Fibre Company 120 Montgomery St., #2200 San Francisco, CA 94104 415-362-8670 Kraft Paper Bags
bags Poly Pak America, Inc. 2939 E. Washington Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90023-4277 213-264-2400 Shipping Bags - Plastic
b a g s Quill Corporation P.O. Box 94080 Palatine, IL 60094 909-983-3505 Self-Seal Bubble Bags - Paper
bags Resin Corporation 165 Front Street Chicopee, MA 01013 413-594-2671 Flexible Vinyl Pouches & Bags
bags Springfield SpecialProducts
2045 N. National Avenue Springfield, MO 65803 800-223-7571 PermaTainer - Bulk Bags Madeof PVC-Coated Polyester
bags Treecycle Box 5086
boxes &cartons
Acorn Paper 3686 E. Olympic
Bozeman, MT 59717 406-586-5287 Paper Bags
Los Angeles, CA 90023 800-LA-ACORN Corrugated Boxes
heading company address city, state, zip phone product
boxes &cartons
Associated Box Company 1431-l/2 Verd Oaks Drive Glendale, CA 91205 213-663-1100 Corrugated Boxes & RTE FoldingCarton
boxes &cartons
Fremont Die Cut Products, P.O. Box 770Inc.
Fremont, OH 43420 419-334-2626 Plastic Reuseable Cartons
boxes &cartons
boxes &cartons
boxes & c a r t o n s
boxes &cartons
boxes &cartons
boxes &cartons
Green Bay Packaging P.O. Box 711
Klearfold. Inc.
M.T.I.
Pacific Allied Products,Ltd.
Tharco
Turn-around Products ofMartinez
buyer of used Crown Carton Companypackaging
Morrilton, AR 72110 800-552-0552 Corrugated Boxes - Arkbrite,Eco-Brite,Eco-White
Wanington, PA 18976 215-343-9300 Folding Carton - Plastic364 Valley Rd.
6054 Carte del Sedro Carlsbad, CA 92009
91-110 Kaomi Loop Kapolei, HI 96707
15220 Canary Avenue La Mirada, CA 90638
P.O. Box 463 Martinez, CA 94553
2550 E. 27th Street Los Angeles, CA 90058
619-603-9600
808-682-2038
800-545-1936
510-372-6974
213-582-3053
Corrugated Boxes
Boxes - Insulated
Corrugated Boxes - Custom orStock
Corrugated Boxes
Purchases Used CorrugatedBoxes - 500 Same Size Minimum
heading company address
containers Precision ComponentPackaging
7255 S. Cider
containers Rehrig Pacific 4010 East 26th Street
city, state, zip phone product
Pica Rivera, CA 90660 213-723-7967 Wooden Containers - Collapsible,Reusable
Los Angeles: CA 90023 213-262-5145 Containers - Collapsible Plastic
containers Ted Levine Drum Co. 1817 Chico Avenue South El Monte, CA 91733 818-579-l084 Drums - Plastic & Metal
containers Vermont RepublicIndustries
cushioning Astro-Valcour, Inc.
cushioning Atlantic EnvironmentalResources, Inc.
cushioning Corrupad ProtectivePackaging
cushioning Fibreform Containers
P.O. Box 628 St. Albans, VT 05478 802-524-6055 Plastic Non-Food Bulk PackagingContainers
18 Peck Avenue Glens Falls, NY 12801 800-828-1128 Bubble Wrap - Astro-CellGreen/Astro-Violet
548 Donald Street, Unit 11A Bedford, NH 03110 603-624-2411 Foam Packing
89 OÕLeary Drive Bensenville, IL 60106 708-238-8090 Cushion Packaging - 100% PostConsumer Waste Paper
N115W19255 Edison Drive Germantown, WI 53022 415-251-1901 Molded Comers, End Caps &Cushioning
cushioning Foam Fabricators 530 Mondamin Street Minooki, IL 60447 815-467-2272 Molded Foam Packaging
heading company address
cushioning Foamold Corporation P.O. Box 95
cushioning JMS Manufacturing 10026 Kings Plaza
city, state, zip phone product
Oneida, NY 13421 315-363-5350 Molded Foam Packaging
Omaha, NE 68122
cushioning Menasha 4010 Suburban Drive Danville, VA 24540
402-571-0898 Packing Comers for Photographs- Plastic
818-407-0440 Sus-Rap - Layered PaperboardSuspension System; MenashaPads - Layered Corrugated Build-up Pad
808-682-2038 Packing Comers - Plasticcushioning Pacific AlliedProducts,Ltd.
91-110 Kaomi Loop Kapolei, HI 96707
2 cushioning Poudre Plastics 1626 Riverside Avenue Fort Collins, CO 80524 303-484-0903 Molded Foam Packaging
cushioning Quill Corporation P.O. Box 94080 Palatine, IL 60094 909-983-3505 Bubble Roll
cushioning Richter Manufacturing 159 N. San Antonio Pomona, CA 91767 909-622-1151 Bubble Wrap & Roll Cushioning
cushioning Sealed Air Corporation 19440 Arenth Avenue
cushioning Tenneco Packaging -Hexacomb Division
9700 Bel Ranch Drive
City of Industry, CA 91748 800-356-7338 Rapidfill - Reusable InflatableVoid Filler, Bubble Wrap, PaddedMailers
Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670 800-323-9163 Recycled Kraft PaperHoneycomb Panels, ComerProtectors, Inner Packaging,Custom
heading company
cushioning Tharco
cushioning
film plastic
film plastic
film plastic
film plastic
other
other
other
address
15220 Canary Avenue
Western Pulp Products P.O. Box 968
American National Can 8770 W. Bryn Mawr AvenueCompany
Consolidated 5005 LBJ Freeway, OccidentalThermoplastics Company Tower, #500
International Plastics, Inc. 185 Commerce Center
Presto Products Company 670 N. Perkins Street
Cryovac North America, P.O. Box 464W.R. Grace & Co.
Delkor Systems, Inc. 9641 Naples St., NE
Discas Recycled Products 567-l S. Leonard StreetCorporation
city, state, zip
La Mirada, CA 90638
Corvallis, OR 97339
Chicago, IL 60631
Dallas, TX 75244
Greenville, SC 29615
Appleton, WI 54913
Duncan, SC 29334
Minneapolis, MN 55449
Waterbury, CT 06708
phone
800-545-1936
product
Foam Comers & Edge Guards
800-547-3407 Molded Fiber Products - EdgeGuards, Comer Guards, FloralContainers, Custom
312-399-3000 Plastic Film & Sheets
214-448-9200 Film Plastic
803-297-8000
800-535-8095
213-926-0418
800-328-5558
203-753-5147
Film Plastic
Film Plastic
Fast-Break - A CohesiveCompound to Secure a Load ona Pallet. Eliminates Need forShrink WrapSpot-Pak - A Shrink-WrapPackaging Process that ReducesPackaging by up to 75%
Video Cassette Tapes
heading company address city, state, zip
other Hardy - Graham Inc. P.O. Box 487 Ambler, PA 19002
other lvex Corporation 292 Logan Avenue Joliet, IL 60540
phone product
800-445-4271 Hardy-Built Fastening System -Collapsible, Returnable &Reusable
815-740-3838 Kraft Magazine Wrap
other Key Tech 12420 Evergreen Drive Mukilteo, WA 98275 800-225-3009 Lock'n'Pop Cohesive Spray -Eliminates Need for Shrinkwrapon Pallets
other Longview Fibre Company 120 Montgomery St., #2200 San Francisco, CA 94104 415-362-8670 Kraft Wrapping Paper
other Replastec, Inc. Erie Industrial Park, Bldg 460 Port Clinton, OH 43452 419-635-4000 Void Fillers - Plastic
other Resource America, Inc. P.O. Box 339 Georgetown, MA 01833 508-352-2062 National Packaging ReuseNetwork
other Ropak 660 South State College Blvd. Fullerton, CA 92631 714-870-9757 Pails - Plastic
other Signode Corporation 7080 Industrial Rd., Unit 1 Florence, KY 41042 606-342-6400 Strapping - Plastic
packagingmedia
Acorn Paper 3686 E. Olympic Los Angeles, CA 90023 800-LA-ACORN Loose Fill - BiodegradableCornstarch
heading company address
packagingmedia
American Excelsior 8320 Canford Street
packagingmedia
Free-Flow PackagingCorp.
1093 Charter Street
packagingmedia
Homasote Company Box 7240
packagingmedia
International Cellulose 12315 Robin Blvd.
city, state, zip phone product
Pica Rivera, CA 90660 800-321-2461 Biodegradable Cornstarch Loose-Fill Peanuts, Comer Protectors,Padding Sheets, Dish Protectors
Redwood City, CA 94063 415-364-1145 Loose Fill Peanuts
Trenton, NJ 08628 609-883-3300 Packaging - Pakline
Houston, TX 77045 713-433-6701 Packaging - K-Pak
packaging media
Martin Plastic Converters 1366 W. Oxford Avenue Englewood, CO 80110 303-761-0390 Loose Fill - Mar-Pak
packagingmedia
Pacemaker PlasticsCompany, Inc.
P.O. Box 279 Newcomerstown, OH 43832 614-498-4181 Loose Fill - Fabritech
packagingmedia
Pacific Allied Products,Ltd.
91-110 Kaomi Loop Kapolei, HI 96707 808-682-2038 Loose Fill Peanuts
packagingmedia
Paper Service, Ltd. Box 45 Hinsdale, NJ 03451
packagingmedia
Storopack 12007 Woodruff Avenue Downey, CA 90241
603-239-6344 Packaging Tissue
800-829-1491 Loose Fill Alta - Lok II,Alta - Pak II
heading
pallets &slipsheets
company
A.B.C. Corporation
address
6592 Hawthorne Street
city, state, zip phone
Worthington, OH 43085-3065 614-272-7771
pallets &slipsheets
Amazing RecycledProducts
P.O. Box 312 Denver, CO 80201
pallets &slipsheets
Bigelow Packaging 8401 University Executive Park, Charlotte, NC 28262Suite 122
pallets & Cardinal Materials Flow, 3311 La Bore Rd. St. Paul, MN 55110-5149slipsheets Inc.
pallets &slipsheets
Century Pallets 2911 Norton Avenue Lynwood, CA 90262
pallets &slipsheets
Cheaper Pallets 6201 Holmes Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90001
pallets &slipsheets
Chep USA 225 E. Robinson Street Orlando, FL 32801
pallets &slipsheets
Commercial Lumber and 135 Long Lane Industry, CA 91746Pallet
pallets &slipsheets
Containair 145-80 228th Street Springfield Gardens, NY11413
800-241-2174
800-955-8003
612-482-8800
310-605-0788
213-235-1206
product
Pallets - OCC Paper
Pallets - Plastic
Pallets - Plastic
Plastic Slipsheets
Pallets - Recycled & MultipleUse, Plastic & Wood
Pallets - Recycled Wood
800-CHEP-USA National Pallet Leasing Company
818-968-0631 Pallets - Recycled Wood
718-276-6500 K-Box - Corrugated Bin withIntegral Slipsheet. Stackable &Collapsible
heading
pallets &slipsheets
pallets &slipsheets
pallets &slipsheets
pallets &slipsheets
pallets &slipsheets
pallets &slipsheets
pallets &slipsheets
pallets &slipsheets
pallets &slipsheets
company
Damage PreventionProducts Corp.
Damage PreventionProducts Corp.
Down River ForestProducts
Harbor Pallet
Larson Pallet Company
Lydall, Inc.
MBX PackagingSpecialists
Obex, Inc.
Pallet Pallet - L&M PalletDivision
address
4650-D East Second Street
4650-D East Second Street
2920 Tanager Avenue
P.O. Box 4443
1000 Yosemite Drive
1300 W. Lodi Avenue, Suite A
P.O. Box 929
P.O. Box 1253
3021 Citrus Circle, Suite 250
city, state, zip
Benicia, CA 94510
Benicia, CA 94510
Commerce, CA 90040
Anaheim, CA 92803
Milpitas, CA 95035-5410
Lodi, CA 95242
Wausau, WI 54402
Stamford, CT 06904-1253
Walnut Creek, CA 94598
phone
707-747-5503
707-747-5503
213-720-1655
714-533-4940
408-946-4971
209-333-0885
715-845-1171
203-975-9094
510-939-2988
product
Pallets - Paper
Shipping Platforms & Void Fillers
Lightweight Pallets - Corrugated
Pallets- Recycled & Multiple Use,wood
Pallets - Recycled & MultipleUse, Wood
Solid Fiber Slipsheet - Ly-Pak
Plastic Slipsheets
Pallets - Mixed Plastics
Pallets - Recycled & MultipleUse, Wood
heading company
pallets &slipsheets
Pallet RecyclingAssociates of NorthAmerica (PRANA)
pallets &slipsheets
Perstorp Xytec, Inc.
pallets &slipsheets
Plastic Slip Sheets (USA)Ltd.
pallets &slipsheets
Port Erie Plastics
pallets & slipsheets
pallets &slipsheets
Re-Sets
San Diego Pallets, Inc.
pallets &slipsheets
Smurfit Pallets Systems
pallets &slipsheets
Sonoma Pacific Company 2100 Embarcadero, Suite 105
pallets &slipsheets
Tenneco Packaging -Hexacomb Division
address city, state, zip
2665 Long Lake Rd., Suite 120 Roseville, MN 55113
50 Francisco Street, Suite 49
14 Inverness Drive East, Bldg H,Suite 224
909 Troupe Rd.
12215 Montague
676 Moss Street
9100 Ninth Street, Bldg 130
9700 Bel Ranch Drive
San Francisco, CA 94133
Englewood, CO 80112
Harbor Creek, PA 16421
Los Angeles, CA 91331
Chula Vista, CA 91911-1616
Rancho Cucamonga, CA91730
Oakland, CA 94606
phone
612-635-0661
415-397-1260
800-354-7707
800-SKID-113
818-896-7573
619-426-1441
800-556-4283
510-261-1843
Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670 800-323-9163
product
Wooden Pallet - Rental,Recycling, Manufacturer
Magnum - Collapsible, StackablePlastic Palletized Container
Slip Sheets - Plastic
Pallets - Plastic - Skidmarx
Pallets - used wood
Pallets - Recycled Wood
PayLoad Pak - A Corrugated,Collapsible, Palletized Container,PayLoad Pallet - CorrugatedPalletPallets - Recycled & MultipleUse, Wood
Pallets - Recycled Kraft PaperHoneycomb
heading company
shippingenvelopes
Astro-Valcour, Inc.
shippingenvelopes
Spartech
trays &clamshells
Clearpack Engineering,Inc.
trays &clamshells
Form Pac Corporation
trays &clamshells
Mankato Corporation
trays &clamshells
Martin Plastic Converters, 1366 W. Oxford AvenueInc.
trays &clamshells
Placon
trays &clamshells
Plastic Technology
trays &clamshells
Plastofilm Industries
address
18 Peck Avenue
4815 Woodside Drive
225 Benjamin Drive, Suite 103
P.O. Box 335
2850 Metro Drive
6096 McKee Rd.
774 Norfolk Street
935 West Union Avenue
city, state, zip
Glens Falls, NY 12801
Richmond, IN 47374
Corona, CA 91719
Sandusky, OH 44870
Minneapolis, MN 55425
Englewood, CO 80110
Madison, WI 53719-5114
Mansfield, MA 02048
Wheaton, IL 60169
phone
800-828-1128
800-428-6573
800-977-7878
419-625-7343
612-854-8740
303-761-0390
800-541-1535
508-339-0005
708-668-2838
product
Shipping Envelopes - Padded
Shipping Envelopes -Promat/Prolastomat
Clamshells
Custom Designed Trays Madefrom PET, Polypropylene
Clamshells
Clamshells
BlisterBox Clear Clamshell
Clamshells
Custom trays, Clamshells,Blisterpak
n Prevent Packaging Waste for YourBusiness and the Environment
common barriers and solutions:
"There isn‘t anything my business can do."
Businesses can do more than they may realize. Packaging waste makes up one-third of allcommercial garbage, making it an easy place for businesses to improve their waste manage-ment practices and reduce the costs associated with waste disposal and packaging.
” We already tried this a few years ago. ”
Technology is continually changing. New packaging products are readily available that cansave you money by decreasing the amount of material used, using recycled content, andincreasing recyclability.
Competition among packaging suppliers has also increased. Many of your suppliers may bewilling to work with you to design a new package with less material or with recycled materi-als because they don’t want to lose your business.
The movement toward products that are environmentally responsible is in till-swing. In thelast few years, markets for recycled and recyclable materials have drastically changed andcompanies want to be viewed as doing the right thing.
“Our company recycles, we’ve already done our part. ”
Recycling is only the beginning of the changes your business can make to save money and beenvironmentally responsible. Consider eliminating unnecessary routine packaging. Manycompanies fear that if they change anything about their product the customer will not like it.Throughout this project, we found that many packaging reductions were viewed favorably bycustomers and often presented promotional opportunities.
Further, by purchasing packaging materials that have recycled content you are helping sustainthe markets for the materials that you are recycling. The greater the demand for productsmade with recycled content, the more demand there will be for recyclables. This helps reduceyour disposal costs and the price of new recycled content products.