Choose 2 Rent: IT Rental Company offering reusable shipping containers

By administrator

Aug 17, 2022

In 2020, consumers in the United States spent $861.12 billion on digital purchases. This represents three times more than the 2019 report.

That's great news for the e-commerce sector, but when you consider that it comes hand-in-hand with a huge increase in plastic use and the resulting carbon footprint left by the packaging industry, it doesn't sound like such good news.

Two signs demonstrate the increased threat:

1 - More plastic production means increased carbon emissions.

2 - Printing, packaging and shipping costs are also rising for companies as e-commerce grows.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reported that U.S. citizens use 380 billion plastic bags annually.

According to experts, it takes approximately 12 million barrels of oil to produce that amount.

Also, most of the packaging used in the neighboring countries are single-use plastic bags. The problem with this material is that not only is it dangerous for marine life, but it also pollutes at unsuspected levels.

Suppose companies are capable of eliminating the use of single-use plastic. In that case, they should get to work and design strategies to make more and better environmentally friendly packaging.

Reusable shipping boxes and containers are a great option to decrease the environmental impact of shipping operations, plus they come with many benefits!

What are reusable shipping containers?

The industrial returnable containers with adapted interiors are reusable products used to securely ship goods by any means of transportation. High resistance and hardness make them a long-life returnable container that can be reused for a very long time, and by doing so, cutting waste and packaging expenses.

Characteristics of reusable boxes

An environmentally friendly packaging must meet certain characteristics to be considered as such. Below, we detail the properties that reusable plastic shipping boxes must have:

Recyclable

The vast majority of eco-friendly boxes are made of cardboard, which is a recyclable material that can be given another life after use. Normally its composition is 70% or more recycled material. This is obviously a very positive contribution to the environment.

Sustainable

Because they are recyclable and recycled, their production does not involve wasting raw materials. In addition, fewer energy resources are consumed than in the manufacture of other packaging and containers.

Eco-friendly

It is important to note that the manufacturer of this packaging also avoids any type of product that pollutes the environment. This involves factors such as the use of natural inks for engravings. But in this way, we ensure that the boxes are safe for any type of product.

And there are also other types of packaging that are environmentally friendly, such as ecological cloth bags, containers created with natural plastics, etc. But, undoubtedly, for the transport of goods, boxes are the best ally.

Choose 2 Rent Sustainable Shipping Totes

Choose 2 Rent prides itself in being a green and sustainable company! In an effort to reduce the overall company's Carbon Footprint, Choose 2 Rent is rolling out its sustainable shipping totes worldwide. 

"Some of the benefits of our new shipping totes are, that they are reusable, sturdy, secure, stackable, and ensure a safer transit into the hands of our customers all while helping us achieve another level of sustainability," said Denis Vigo, CEO, and Founder of Choose 2 Rent. 

Contact us to learn more about our sustainable packing and shipping options for rental equipment.

Packaging for a better future

"Rethinking Packaging" is a trend report by DHL that details the trends that make it increasingly necessary to rethink packaging, how markets and their packaging needs are evolving, and elaborates on how packaging innovations will generate greener and more efficient logistics operations across all sectors.

The demand for more sustainable shipping is driving new initiatives to minimize waste, promote environmentally friendly materials and implement convenient recovery systems. Leading retailers are reacting to these expectations by providing recyclable and hassle-free materials, thereby seizing the new opportunity to satisfy customers with aesthetically pleasing and affordable packaging features.  

"The Trends Report and our customer survey show how important robust, recyclable and simple packaging is to generate an experience that is positive in all aspects for the customer. However, rapid changes in business needs, customers, and the environment, in general, are increasing costs and reducing efficiency. We believe that the adoption of new packaging optimization tools, materials, and handling technologies will significantly increase efficiency and productivity. And this, in turn, will drive changes in the operation of supply chains and logistics processes," explains Matthias Heutger, Senior Global Head of Innovation & Commercial Development, DHL.

Across all sectors, there are increasing demands for packaging, in the technology and automotive sectors to accommodate increasing volumes of sensitive and high-value components.

As e-commerce replaces traditional retail outlets, door-to-door packaging is now an essential touch point between customers and brands.

Sustainable materials

In DHL’s employee survey, most respondents indicated that implementing sustainable packaging materials is their top packaging priority in the near future. Research into eco-friendly alternatives to plastic shrink wrap and single-use plastic envelopes is on the rise, as is sustainable grocery packaging. At the same time, striking a balance between cost and convenience for customers becomes a challenge for retailers. 

Reusable packaging and reverse logistics

Recently, the adoption of reusable materials and closed-loop recycling programs to eliminate waste has increased, but some challenges remain. Industries considering building an economically viable reusable packaging system must consider the required size of the packaging material pool, the design of systems to clean, examine and maintain containers, and the cost, speed, and ease of use of reverse logistics processes. 

Intelligent packaging

Smart packaging technologies, such as smart labels and product protection measures to the final destination, strengthen the connection between the customer, the supply chain, and the package through real-time updates on its status and location.

The Trends Report demonstrates that the purpose of packaging has changed. Moving to the next level of packaging performance will require close collaboration between supply chain experts, packaging specialists, and customers.