Excess is the enemy

The recent COP26 summit has focused new attention on the contribution that supply and distribution chains, especially in eCommerce, make to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and other environmental ills. Many leading companies have publicly committed to change but, as consultants McKinsey note, ‘in many instances net-zero commitments are running ahead of companies’ own plans to meet them’.

As a material, cardboard packaging may be far more environmentally acceptable than its petro-chemical based alternatives, but it is still a valuable resource that should be used as thoughtfully and sparingly as possible.

The eCommerce sector has an opportunity to use available technology to make right-sized packaging for each individual eCommerce order. Sparck Technologies (formerly Quadient) offers CVP Automated Packaging Solutions that create ‘right-size’ boxes in seconds by scanning and measuring the goods – single or multi-item orders – cutting and erecting the box, sealing, weighing, and labelling. Interestingly, multiple corrugate feeders are becoming more popular with eCommerce businesses as different widths of cardboard can be selected automatically by the machine to minimise off-cuts – and branded board is also an option.

By minimising corrugate use, cardboard consumption reduces by 30% on average and void fill is virtually eliminated, significantly reducing packaging material costs. 

Furthermore, using smaller boxes means a greater density of product per truck or van load. A reduction in volume for a given quantity of goods of up to 50% potentially reduces the number of trucks required on trunk routes, as well as empty running.

CVP packaging solutions also conserve other scarce resources. Labour shortages are driving up staffing costs in the logistics industry, but right-size packaging can help reduce the requirement for drivers and staff within the warehouse – a CVP machine can typically replace between 8 and 20 manual packing stations. They can also save on another resource that is becoming increasingly expensive – warehouse space.

Many net-zero strategies are widely believed to reduce consumer choice, or impair productivity and profit, or require large upfront investment for slow and uncertain gain, or require wholesale change to products, processes and business models throughout the supply chain. However, CVP Automated Packaging Solutions offer a compelling economic case by improving productivity while reducing transport, labour and material costs, along with an immediate and verifiable improvement in the supply chain’s carbon footprint.

Jo Bradley, business development manager, Sparck Technologies

For more information, visit https://sparcktechnologies.com