Packaging Material Comparison, Research Paper Example

Introduction

There are many ways to ship things and wood and plastic containers are two good options. In reality there are some items that will ship better in wood and some that will ship better in plastic. What one is shipping is going to determine the packaging needed\ or that is preferable for any particular shipment. Paper shipping is also an alternative that holds promise but also has disadvantages. Comparing the three options has to do with the content , however; some general qualities that apply to both shipping methods prove to be true This study will look at all three types of shipping and determine whether one is better than the other and arrive at a conclusion on this issue.

Wood versus Plastic Containers for Shipping Food Products

Paper packaging is useful for a wide range of business shipping needs. It is eco-friendly and works for basic shipping of most goods. It can be custom created to hold a business logo and is professional looking. Paper packaging cannot ship good that need to retain cold, such as foods, however; it can be used with plastic or wood to help ship something that needs to stay cold. So while it has limitations in terms of holding temperature it can assist in doing so in shipping.

While plastic is often not a preferred way to ship as it is not considered eco-friendly, plastic makers and those who ship with the material are finding answers to this; “ Green sustainable packaging solutions are as simple as reusing containers. Reusable Container & Pallet Association (RCPA) members are leading suppliers of the reusable/returnable industrial plastic containers, pallets, and packaging. They supply solutions worldwide and in virtually every major manufacturing and distribution sector,”(Container Exchanger, 2012) Plastic containers can hold temperature for shipping and are reusable. They are lightweight and they mail easily. They can be used for almost any product. “Warehouse space also is at a premium and returnable containers help to greatly increase the storage capacity of any warehouse. Returnable containers can be stacked on top of each other and entire stacks can be moved about the warehouse to reshuffle and organize the products.” (Container Exchanger, 2012)

Wooden products for shipping are also useful. They do not allow for as much space in warehouses, however; they can be broken down and then put back together even though this takes more labor. They hold temperature well when needed, however; not always as well as plastic can. Often plastic lining is needed to maintain temperature. There are two types of wooden pallets that are primarily used for shipping, “Stringer pallets are more common in the United States. With solid wood, block pallets cost more to manufacture than the equivalent strength stringer pallets,” (Clarke, 2012). While pallets are and plastic cost about the same to ship and plastic is reusable, pallets are more eco-friendly over the course of time. Wooden pallets are most often used to ship food but there are issues with cleanliness and this can pose problems for those who choose wooden containers for shipping food products.

Conclusions

Paper for shipping is a great alternative as long as the object being shipped is not perishable.Any perishable item for shipping will not do well with paper and plastic or wood are the better choices. Paper is the packaging of choice for any other non=perishable items as it is eco-friendly and can be made to fit almost any other business need.

If it is only wood or plastic that are alternatives it then becomes a matter of what one is shipping to decide if the packaging is one or the other. If one is shipping a food product then wooden containers are a great option if the specifications for cleanliness are met. If they are not plastic would be the best solution.Wood is a second choice to paper if a product can be safely and cleanly shipped as it is eco-friendly, however; it is heavy and the cost of shipping is high at times with wood. For this reason most people will look at plastic for shipping as an alternative.

Of the three products plastic appears to have the most uses and is coming up with solutions to its problems as far as sustainability and the environment are concerned. Ultimately, the best packaging option is dependent on what one is shipping; however; plastic shipping containers provide the most options and may be the best shipping option for items that paper cannot ship. It is economically a good choice for most companies and the plastic industry is working hard to find ways to reuse the substance to deal with the problems plastic presents to the environment. While plastic has its problems it is most often the packaging of choice for most corporations and many individuals and particularly where temperature sensitive items are concerned. Plastic is comparably the most utilitarian option of the three analyzed in this study.

References

Clarke, J. (2012) Pallets 101: Industry overview and wood, plastic, paper & metal options. Virginia Technical Institute. http://www.ista.org/forms/Pallets_101-Clarke_2004.pdf

Container Exchanger. (2012) Advantages of plastic:Pros and Cons.http://www.shuert.com/about-shuert-technologies/the-shuert-advantage/

Jack, C. (2009) Four Advantages to Paper Packaging. http://www.articlesbase.com/business-articles/4-advantages-to-paper-packaging-1226255.html