1. Essentials of Transport Packaging
An output from Sustainable Packaging Coalition’s Member-led Working Group
February 2013

2. Content Introduction to transport packaging
Definition of Sustainable Packaging
Transport packaging examples
Value of transport packaging
Business models
Relations and implications to municipal solid waste
Sustainability considerations
Supply chain optimization

3. Introduction to transport packaging

4. Tertiary or Transport Package is –
A shipping unit that provides containment and protection to goods during handling, storage, and transportation. The term includes all industrial packaging and the shipping containers for consumer products.
Source: IoPP

5. TERTIARY or TRANSPORT PACKAGING
Primary
Package
Secondary or Tertiary Package*
TERTIARY or TRANSPORT PACKAGING
Primary Packaging: The packaging which contains the product. Provides protection and containment, but is not necessarily suitable for transport.
Secondary Packaging: The packaging which contains one or more primary packages. It aids in containment, handling, unitization and damage prevention.
Tertiary Packaging: The packaging which is used to group secondary packaging together to aid handling, unitization, transportation and damage prevention to products.
Primary Packaging: The packaging which contains the product. Provides protection and containment, but is not necessarily suitable for transport.
Secondary Packaging: The packaging which contains one or more primary packages. Secondary packaging aids in containment, handling, unitization and damage prevention.
Tertiary Packaging:
The packaging which is used to group secondary packaging together to aid handling, unitization, transportation and damage prevention to products.
*Depending on scenario, containment box may be considers secondary or tertiary package

6. TERTIARY or TRANSPORT PACKAGING
Primary
Package
Secondary
Package
TERTIARY or TRANSPORT PACKAGING
Primary Packaging: The packaging which contains the product. Provides protection and containment, but is not necessarily suitable for transport.
Secondary Packaging: The packaging which contains one or more primary packages. It aids in containment, handling, unitization and damage prevention.
Tertiary Packaging: The packaging which is used to group secondary packaging together to aid handling, unitization, transportation and damage prevention to products.
Primary Packaging: The packaging which contains the product. Provides protection and containment, but is not necessarily suitable for transport.
Secondary Packaging: The packaging which contains one or more primary packages. Secondary packaging aids in containment, handling, unitization and damage prevention.
Tertiary Packaging:
The packaging which is used to group secondary packaging together to aid handling, unitization, transportation and damage prevention to products.

7. Defining Sustainability for Packaging
Relevance in the SPC
Transport packaging must provide sufficient damage prevention, optimize cube utilization, and use sustainable materials where feasible. The packaging should ideally be sourced locally and have a responsible end of life scenario.

8. Transport packaging examples

9. Transport Packaging Format
Pallets, Skids – Flat unit load support
Single Use
2-way & 4-way entry
Size, material, and specifications based on intended use and performance requirements
Rackable and non-rackable
Nestable and non-nestable
2-way and 4-way entry
Paper Pallets
Reusable Systems
Rackable Systems
Nestable

10. Transport Packaging Format
Slip Sheets – Flat unit load support
Material varies by intended use
Single vs. double lip based on loading requirements
Corrugated
Kraft

11. Transport Packaging Format
Containers – Used for the conveyance of consumer goods
Material varies by use
Shipping Boxes
Shipping tubes
Reusable Plastic & Metal Containers
Stackable
Nestable
Foldable
Plastic Stackable
Expanded Polymer
Shipping Boxes & Tubes
Liquid Transport
Corrugated Stackable
Collapsible Containers

12. Transport Packaging Format
More Containers – Used for the conveyance of consumer goods
Multi-wall Bags, Sacks & Bulk Bags
Commercial & Industrial use
Machine filled
Hand set-up
Wooden and metal crates
Stackable, nestable
Drums and Barrels
Specialty packaging
Bulk Sacks
Specialty Containers
Wooden Containers
Drums

13. Transport Packaging Format
Trays – shallow platforms used in the conveyance of light loads
Material varies by use (food-safe, non-porous, etc.)
Stackable and non-stackable
Designed for liquid containment (deeper) or simple conveyance (shallower)
Typically used in manufacturing lines for conveyance of work-in-process
Corrugated Trays
Other Trays
Reusable & Stackable Trays

14. Transport Packaging Format
Exterior Protection – packaging used to protect the tertiary packaging loads during distribution and transport
Edge Protection
Load Stabilization
Protective Covers
Edging
Stretch Wrap
Metal Strapping
Reusable Cover
Dunnage
Plastic Strapping

15. Transport Packaging Format
Interior Protection – packaging used to protect package contents from damage or breakage during distribution and transport
Cushioning
Void Fill
Blocking & Bracing
Surface Protection
Air Cellular
Expanded Foam
Engineered Foams
Paper Systems
Air Bags
Separators
Surface Films

16. Value of Transport packaging

17. Value of Transport Packaging
Activities
Benefits
Efficient movement of product
Efficient storage of product
Labels, tracking, graphics
Protection
Reducing fuel and transportation costs
Ease of retrieval, storage, material handling
Product identification and communication
Security, tamper evidence, damage minimization

18. Packaging Synergies
Packaging at different levels can work together to bring products safely to market
Interactions can facilitate primary and secondary packaging reduction
Load sharing reduces requirements on individual components
Increased unit load stability
Group handling reduces damage opportunities
Synergies facilitate system wide optimization
Example - floor ready display

19. Business models

20. Business Models Managed Pool
Closed Pool
Managed Pool
Reduced Asset Losses among business partners
May not be standardized for use out of closed pool
Requires larger capital outlay, self-maintenance of pool
Focus on asset turns, re-use and repair
Some standard design for use within region
Owner maintains asset quality
Potential for Nationwide pricing
Manufacturer
Retailer
Asset Provider
Brewer
Bottler

21. Business Models One Way Exchange
Focus on recovery and cost effectiveness
Often designed for specific dimensions
Potential re-sale by network of recyclers
Possible Regional pricing
Focus on asset balancing
Reduces cube space during reverse logistics
Manufacturer
Retailer
Manufacturer
Retailer

22. PACKAGING in municipal solid waste

23. Packaging in U.S. Solid Waste
250 Million Tons Generated
Key Facts
Containers & Packaging are 30% of North America’s Municipal Solid Waste
56% of these valuable resources are wasted in landfills.
The remaining 44% are recycled; often downcycled into less valuable products.
Over a third of U.S. GHG emissions are attributable to producing and transporting goods. Much attention has been given to improving primary packaging such as bottles, jars, wrappers and pouches, and similar opportunities exist for transport packaging materials like pallets, boxes and shrink wrap.
Source: US EPA, 2010

24. U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Over 1/3 of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions are attributable to Producing & Transporting Goods *
*Includes use and provision of goods. Approximately 95% of the impacts are associated with the product
Source: US EPA, 2009

25. Sustainability considerations

26. Definition of Packaging Sustainability
Sustainable packaging optimizes the sustainability of the combined product and package system
Slide is redundant. Hidden until we can agree on if to include it.
Source: SPC, 2007

27. Important Sustainability Considerations
Damage Reduction:
As “light weighting” removes material, Transport Packaging increasingly needs to facilitate damage reduction
Cost / Material Value
What cost is market willing to pay?
Will package be recoverable for reuse, recycling, or composting?
Dimensions
Loaded footprint, loaded trailer cube, return cube
Nestable or collapsable
Damage Prevention: Reduces the damage and loss that leads to the necessity of manufacturing replacements. Product remanufacture accounts for a much higher GHG output and resource usage than does packaging. Damage prevention also reduces unnecessary extra shipments due to returns and replacements, etc.
Cube Utilization: Efficient box and container space usage allows for more product to be shipped in a single load, reducing GHG emissions from unnecessary extra shipping. Also, it reduces packaging material usage.

28. Important Sustainability Considerations
Weight
Lower weight saves fuel but can sacrifice strength
Strength
Racking safety, payload capacity
Ease of Handling
Manual or equipment focus
Load / unload / clean time
Conveyance of Information
May accept labels, identify regulation compliance, or track units

29. Important Sustainability Considerations
Material Health
Is the package safe and healthy for individuals and communities throughout its life cycle?
Is it beneficial/restorative to the natural environment?
What chemicals/materials are used to meet fire or invasive species codes?
Reusability
Is it able to be re-used in its current form multiple times in the supply chain?
Sustainable Material Usage: Some materials will have relatively favorable life cycle metrics or other sustainability characteristics, such as coming from renewable resources or being reusable, recyclable, or compostable.

30. Important Sustainability Considerations
Recyclability
Can it be effectively recovered and utilized in biological and/or industrial closed loop cycles?
Recyclable – in theory or practice?
Recycled Content
Does it optimizes the use of renewable or recycled source materials?
Material Weight / Strength
Lower weight saves fuel but can sacrifice strength and ability to repair the asset
RECYCLABILITY
Recycling opportunities must be readily accessible to the end user to call it recyclable.
MATERIAL WEIGHT
Hybrid design can optimize weight / strength ratio but sacrifice repairability

31. Important Sustainability Considerations
Repairability
Easy to repair and reclaim individual components?
Ease of Sourcing
How rare and far away does the material come from?
Sustainable Material Usage: Some materials will have relatively favorable life cycle metrics or other sustainability characteristics, such as coming from renewable resources or being reusable, recyclable, or compostable.

32. Important Sustainability Considerations
Quantifying and Communicating Environmental Benefits
Use widely accepted, third party verified standards and certifications (eg. ISO 14040)
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)
Consider waste, energy, GHG emissions.
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is an objective process to evaluate the environmental burdens associated with a product, process, or activity by identifying energy and materials used and wastes released to the environment, and to evaluate and implement opportunities to affect environmental improvements.” (SETAC, 1990)

33. Supply chain optimization & collaboration

34. Supply Chain Links
“Brand owners and retailers may have direct control over as little as 5 percent of the environmental impacts of packaging and only indirect control over the other 95 percent.” – SPC, Packaging Digest 3/1/10

35. Collaboration for Packaging Value
Benefits of Collaboration
Collaboration Considerations
Best Practices Sharing
Solve Challenges outside of vacuum
Solutions can be expanded & transferred to other businesses or industries
Interaction with other companies help businesses develop their technology
Performance requirements
Regulatory compliance requirements
Technical/operational factors
Aesthetic considerations
Material availability
Cost
Collaboration for Packaging Source: Sustainable Packaging Coalition’s 2010 report, Guidelines for Increasing Post Consumer Recycled Content in Plastic Packaging