Sustainability as a Business Plan

Sustainability: of, relating to, or being a method
of harvesting or using a resource so that the resource
is not depleted or permanently damaged.

The word sustainability has become one of the most potent business buzz words of the 2000s.

As customers become more educated about (and concerned for) the environment, companies large and small are jumping on the sustainability bandwagon.

Large companies, like Nestle SA, have been implementing sustainability plans that not only reduce the use of virgin packaging materials, but also reduce energy consumption and promote recycling.

Nestle has been working on its plan for about 20 years and has managed to cut between 80 and 100 million pounds of packaging material from its production in that time, according to an recent article published by Packaging World.

In addition to their reduction of materials, Nestle also cuts energy consumption by creating energy efficient products. The company's popular Nespresso coffee machines are designed to automatically switch off after nine minutes of inactivity.

In the United Kingdom, Nestle trucks use liquefied natural gas or biomethane for transporting certain products, while full-electric trucks deliver ice cream and frozen food in Switzerland.

Smaller companies, like Evive Station, have built their company solely around the idea of waste reduction. (Currently found only on the West Virginia University campus, with new locations coming soon.)

According to an article published by RFID Journal, Evive Station provides customers with a low cost re-fillable water bottle that contains a small radio frequency identification device. Customers then take the Evive bottles to any Evive water kiosk and have the bottle automatically cleaned and refilled with filtered water, for free.

Evive Station water kiosk.

Evive Station earns revenue not by selling water, but instead by selling customized ads that are played on a screen embedded in the kiosk machine while it re-fills a customer's bottle.

So how do these companies turn ecologically friendly business practices into profit? 

The answer is simple, through education and exposure.

Even though Evive and Nestle are very different companies, in scale and product, they share a common practice. Both companies use their strides in sustainability as a direct sales pitch to potential customers.

Nestle touts the recyclability and material reduction of their product packaging right on the package for potential customers to see. Meanwhile, Evive has adopted the mantra “less is more,” meaning their system sends less waste to landfills while saving their customers more money (compared to purchasing bottled water).

Find out how you can raise your company's sustainability while reducing your costs by talking with a United Packaging Supply product specialist.  

Send United Packaging Your Pictures

Send us a picture of you or another employee using any United Packaging product and we'll publish your picture in a upcoming edition of our new monthly newsletter.

Send the picture, along with the employee's name, the product the employee is using and your company contact information. We'll publish the picture in our newsletter and include a link to your company's website.

Send pictures and information to:
Janine.Lynn@UnitedPkg.com

Technology is Changing the Warehousing Game

Motorola's ET1 Enterprise Tablet, designed for durability.

Traditionally speaking, mobile technologies - such as tablets and smartphones - haven't been major players in the world of warehouse management.

In the past, IT managers have resisted the idea of wireless and mobile devices in the warehouse because of their inherent security issues, while warehouse managers have deemed the devices too fragile for the perilous life of warehouse equipment.

However, it seems that both IT and warehouse managers are changing their tune when it comes to mobile and wireless devices, and the potential that these devices have to increase warehouse efficiency.

Automation World magazine recently (Nov. 6, 2012) published an article that outlined how smartphones and tablets are making an impact in industrial environments, from real-time inventory adjustments to automated equipment control.

In a Nov. 11, 2012 article, Packaging World magazine's VP and Editor, Pat Reynolds, touched on the same topic.

While covering the 2012 Pack Expo, Reynolds, was introduced to the new tablet controlled CombiScale Primo. He reported that the Microsoft Windows tablet run scale garnered so much attention at the Expo that CombiScale ran out of marketing and sales sheet handouts.

Other companies are also jumping on the technology bandwagon. Sealed Air, the company behind the Bubble Wrap brand, recently issued a press release announcing a new web based parts catalog for their Shanklin shrink packaging equipment.

The online catalog will allow service vendors to look up part pricing and availability from any Internet connected computer, laptop, tablet and most smartphones. Onsite technicians will be able to provide lead time and pricing information to their customers, gain approval and order the necessary parts, all in a matter of minutes – instead of days.

In addition, service vendors using this new online catalog will be able to see a picture of the part they are ordering, which could lead to increased accuracy and, therefore, even less downtime.

Other major companies, like Motorola, are getting on board with warehouse technology needs by making their equipment tougher. By revamping their equipment, while keeping costs down, technology companies hope to infiltrate the rugged environment of the industrial warehouse.

Demands to “go paperless,” be more efficient and increase accuracy have forced company strategists to consider the issue of warehouse technology.

With the capabilities of wireless devices continuing to increase while their costs decrease, it's no surprise that the industrial warehouse is starting to embrace the idea of mobile technologies. After all, warehouse managers are constantly seeking ways to meet and exceed demands.

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The Automation World article discusses key areas that technology managers need to address in order to keep sensitive company information secure, even when employees are using personal wireless equipment at work. To read more about the security of wireless devices, click here to read the original article.  

Packaging School Grows in Popularity

Rochester Institute of Technology in one several schools across
the county to offer a degree program in packaging.

Product containment is a multi-billion dollar industry, so it's no surprise that Universities across the country are introducing comprehensive Bachelor and Masters of Science degrees in packaging.

Packaging sciences programs do vary slightly from school to school, but one thing is the same across the board – this is a sci-tech and core-class heavy degree.

Universities urge potential students to take as many advanced math, chemistry, writing, speech and computer courses as possible at the high school level in order to prepare for the demands of the packaging degree program.

Rather than focusing mainly on scientific studies or mainly on communication/marketing studies, a packaging science degree demands students become masters of both fields of study.

The University of Wisconsin – Stout says “Industry's packaging problems are not only technical. They are also social and economical.”

Students wishing to earn their BS in Packaging are required take courses in data analysis, public speaking, physics, micro- and macro- economics, marketing, microbiology and many more. Not to mention the eight or more packaging specific courses that are required.

Students must also complete internships or co-ops in order to develop real world skills and professional contacts.

The course work is intense, and certainly not for everyone, but the rewards can be impressive. The University of Wisconsin – Stout touts a 100 percent placement rate for the 2010-2011 class, with a median starting salary of $53,000 per year.

Obviously, hiring companies are paying close attention to the trends and challenges in the packaging industry – and they are looking for well educated and qualified individuals to help them navigate the future.

Below is a list of just some of the schools offering a Bachelor or Masters of Science in Packaging:

University of Wisconsin – Stout
Michigan State
Clemson University
Rochester Institute of Technology
University of Florida
Indiana State
Rutgers University

Ecologically Friendly and Economically Sound

Switch to recycled or biodegradable packing peanuts.

Customers today expect more than ever from the companies that they do business with.

With the rise of the Internet, consumers have the power of the global economy at their finger tips.

Online ordering and overnight shipping has put bakers in New Jersey in competition with bakers as far away as California, while local corner stores must compete with foreign candy distributors.

In order to stand out and stay ahead, business owners in every industry have to monitor the newest trends in consumer purchasing and adjust their business practices accordingly.

Currently, the trend in consumer purchasing revolves around “going green.”

Joining The Green Movement

Going green is easier for some companies than it is for others. Fortunately, even small changes count for big points with customers.

Making the switch to recycled and/or biodegradable packaging materials can make a big impression on end customers. After all, your packaging is the face of your company inside your customer's home.

Green Packaging Products

There are several good options in green packaging, any of which will help your company stand out in the crowd.

• Recycled cardboard boxes and cartons. Use boxes and cartons that are already recycled and include a small note to your customers to encourage them to reuse or recycle the box or carton again.

• Cornstarch packing peanuts. These packing peanuts dissolve in water, are chemical free and naturally anti-static. Cornstarch peanuts are completely biodegradable and can be easily mixed in to a customer's yard or garden.

Ranpak kraft paper packaging.

• Recycled polystyrene packing peanuts. These peanuts are made from recycled polystyrene plastic and can be recycled again. Be sure to include a note to your customer letting them know to recycle the peanuts.

• Cellulose wadding. Instead of using packing peanuts, why not switch to wadding. Cellulose wadding is made from recycled cellulose fiber and is completely biodegradable.

• Kraft paper. Like the cellulose wadding, kraft paper is made from recycled materials and is completely biodegradable.

• Pallets. If you have larger shipping needs, why not switch to pallets made from recycled plastic. As an added bonus, the pallets are resistant to water and insect damage.

World Protective Packaging Report

Protective packaging, such as polystyrene
packing peanuts are projected to rise in
price over the next three years.

Modern Materials Handling reports that Cleveland-based market research firm The Freedonia Group, Inc. has released a report citing an expected 6.3 percent growth in the global demand for protective packaging through 2016.

The report, entitled "World Protective Packaging," outlines the excepted growth in demand for protective packaging (including polystyrene) in six different global regions, North America, Western Europe, Asia/Pacific, Central and South America, Eastern Europe and Africa/Mideast.

Global demand for protective packaging is expected to top $24 billion by 2016 with North American demand reaching $6.9 billion.

What this means to the end user

Well, as Alfred Marshall explained in his 1890 publication of "Principles of Economics," when demand for a product or service goes up - so does the price.

The increase in urbanization and Internet commerce in the coming years will, according to the study, drive the demand for both traditional polystyrene packaging and newer eco-friendly packaging products.

Preparing for cost increases

The old adage, "knowledge is power," still holds true. By understanding the market and planning ahead, business owners can help take the sting out of future cost increases.

Plan ahead for future costs by closely monitoring your packaging needs today and comparing them to your past needs. Take a look at the last three years. How did your needs change?

There is a good chance that you will have similar changes over the next three years. Armed with this knowledge, you can create a plan of action.

How to keep costs down

• Don't wait until you are low on or out of your packaging materials before you order more. If you wait until the last minute, you don't have any time to negotiate for a better deal.

• Buy in bulk. When you find a great deal on a product that you use a lot of, don't be afraid to buy double or triple your normal order. The upfront costs will be higher, but the long term savings will be worth it.

• Talk to your packaging supply salesperson. Since your salesperson is directly involved in the packaging business, he or she can help you look at your needs and develop a solid plan for the future.