The task for this application example: to design reusable shipping packaging for laboratory bottles for safe and sustainable shipping. The challenge was to find a shipping solution for laboratory bottles that not only protects the sensitive products, but is also environmentally friendly and sustainable.
Our solution: The returnable bottle shipping model
Our specially developed reusable shipping packaging for laboratory bottles proved to be the perfect solution. Robust, safe and environmentally friendly, it offers the ideal combination for the safe shipping of laboratory bottles with multiple uses. The reusable packaging was tested under real conditions and proved to be extremely robust. The laboratory bottles arrived safely and undamaged at their destination. The use of reusable packaging significantly reduced packaging waste. The environmental impact was minimized without compromising on safety.
For a sample analysis, an empty laboratory bottle is sent to the sample site in the reusable shipping packaging. Once there, the bottle is filled with the liquid to be analyzed and placed back into the reusable packaging. The packaging is sealed and prepared for shipment. There is a label carrier on the packaging, which makes it possible to remove shipping labels from the packaging without leaving any residue.
Seal stickers to protect against tampering
Seal stickers can be used for each shipping route to ensure that the laboratory bottle has not been used for other purposes or that the sample has not been contaminated. Half of the seal sticker is stuck over the closure flap and half over the base. As soon as the seal sticker is removed, the words "VOID OPEN" appear. The seal is broken and it becomes clear that the packaging has been opened.
Cheaper than disposable solutions
While the initial purchase is more expensive than the same number of disposable packaging units, savings are made in the short term. As can be seen in the example calculation, the acquisition costs are spread over the number of usage cycles. The more uses the packaging achieves, the cheaper the packaging becomes per cycle and quickly catches up with disposable packaging. In addition, working time is saved as folding is no longer necessary for subsequent uses of the reusable shipping packaging. This effect is not yet taken into account in the illustration.
Reusable shipping packaging to increase sustainability
Some of our reusable packaging is made from recycled polypropylene and is designed for 20 cycles. Depending on the exact process and the shipping service provider, there may be deviations upwards and downwards. However, it is clear that our reusable packaging has a comparable weight to equivalent disposable cardboard packaging. Taking into account the CO2 equivalents of the different materials, our packaging is generally more climate-friendly than disposable packaging from the third use onwards. In this way, we also reduce the amount of waste by 95% over 20 cycles.
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