It is imperative that different organizations consider using packaging materials that will ensure that products reach to their final destination safety (Seyoum, B. 2009). Packaging materials can come as either wood-based shipping material, paper-based shipping material or plastic-based shipping material among others. While these materials have a propensity to differ in terms of durability and quality, there are several merits and demerits of using these containers.
It is important for a business to put into contemplation the complete supply chain when selecting the suitable packaging container. The supply chain comprises of distributors, suppliers, transporters, storage facilities and retailers, who are caught up in the trade, manufacture along with the delivery of merchandise to clients. Wood based shipping containers are commonly used in transportation materials. We will discuss the merits and demerits of the three shipping container materials.
Paper-based Shipping Container
Advantages
Primarily, paper-based shipping containers are low priced when compared to other shipping containers materials. It is more economical to produce paper-based containers than it is to produce wood and plastic based containers. Moreover, paper has less density and weight. This comparatively low weight is advantageous when it comes to transportation due to how it adds a lesser percentage of the consignment’s net credence.
The other advantage of paper-based containers is in the possibility of producing them in bulk (Forgang, W. & Einolf, K. 2015). The benefit of mass production is that it lowers cost and ensures the availability of the product. The other fact is that paper can be recycled which helps in lowering the cost of production. Paper can also be reused in material transportation. This is due to the reason that they are restrained in corrugate RSC. This protects them from distribution atmospheres.
Supply chains have professional individuals who look out for any issues on the effectiveness of the paper used to create shipping containers. They ensure that the containers are created with considerations, to ensure that there is no environmental pollution. The transportation factors are also considered during this process.
Disadvantages
Paper containers have low resistance R-values (low resistance values). This renders them less effective in the prevention of external temperatures, which could affect products that are thermal sensitive. Furthermore, paper-based shipping materials do not provide an insulating material when used.
Paper-based shipping containers are also very fragile due to the nature of the material. They can therefore crack or even separate in cases of an overload. When this happens, this can cause massive losses to the specific producer. It can also be expensive to mould paper into different shapes and designs.
Papers are characterized by high moisture sensitivity, which is unlike wood. This property makes them to lose their strength speedily. It is also very difficult to control temperature when using papers. This makes them unsuitable for products that are heat processed.
At the same time, the recycling process of the paper-based shipping containers renders them harmful for food products. Their recycling process makes them produce toxic substances, which are a hazard to the people living in the neighborhood where the specific recycling process is taking place. The process involves an extensive level of pollution on air, water, and soil, which majorly affect the living organisms.
Wood-based shipping container
Advantages
Wooden-based shipping containers are the most commonly used in the maritime transportation industry. The most preferred are made in the form of crates and pellets (Singh, J. 2012). Wooden-based shipping containers are stronger and hardier than plastic-based shipping containers and paper-based shipping containers. They are therefore the ideal stress packaging solution. Wooden-based shipping containers are designed effectively to handle the stress of weighty perfunctory stress that comes with the process of storing, packaging and transportation (Twede, D., Selke, S., Kamdem. & Shires, D. 2014).
These containers also withstand so much stress and this is therefore advantageous for space optimization for the mass haulage of packaged goods. Wooden-based shipping containers are also highly moisture resistant. This makes them indispensable for the transportation of merchandise that could be prone to humidity damage.
Disadvantages
The movement of wooden-based shipping containers has led to a prevalent invasion of plant pests. These plant pests infest the wood and often destroy it thus reducing the container’s durability. On the other hand, it is difficult to recycle these containers, as is the case with paper-based shipping containers.
Plastic-based shipping container
Advantages
Plastics are a material that is preferred in shipping containers due to their durability property and low cost. They are not easily damaged by the tossing and shipping process. They withstand much pressure and do not break easily. Their manufacturing costs are relatively low and this makes them less costly.
The fact that they can be produced in large masses ensures their low costing and availability. They are economical to use since unlike paper and wood, they do not incur replacement costs in the shipping process. Apart from being economical, their multiple time reuses helps to ensure a green shipping industry.
Unlike wooden-based shipping containers, plastic-based containers are pest free. This ensures that no pests are imported in the supply chain. These containers can also be fixed with tracking devices. The radio frequency identification tags help to reduce incidences of loss of consignments during the shipping process.
Furthermore, these containers guarantee quality, hygiene, and dimensions that are more consistent. Furthermore, they are safe from water absorption as well as harmful and stormy weather. Due to their design to fit together in an efficient fashion, it is easy to stack them for storage, which is advantageous when it comes to limited warehouse storage facilities (Yam, K. 2009).
Disadvantages
These containers are very costly when compared to the wooden-based shipping containers and this limits their extensive usage. Just like the paper-based shipping containers, these containers contain harmful toxic substances and are therefore harmful if used for food products. They also tend to get lost thus creating expensive complications.
They also carry with them transportation costs that are higher than expendable packaging costs. From the customer’s side the cost of return shipping can be greater than reserves from defect reduction, expendable packaging costs, as well as floor space savings. For consignments with a low volume or a short timetable, these containers may not be worth the expense. This is due to the reason that there is less chance for getting back the investment in these containers.
In conclusion, the process of shipping products needs to be done with a lot of keen. As mentioned, the three methods, which include the use of paper, wood, and plastics, have both advantages and disadvantages. It is however clear that using wood- based shipment containers is the best option as they are more durable because they are highly resistance.
Despite the other two having lesser advantages, they are also applicable as long as their cause for harm is avoided. The best thing about the three methods is that they are reusable, which makes them cost effective. This proves that shipping items is an effective method that should be considered especially when shipping goods that are bulky and non-perishable.
References
Forgang, W. & Einolf, K. (2015). Management economics: an accelerated approach. London: Taylor and Francis Ltd.
Seyoum, B. (2009). Export-import theory, practices, and procedures. New York: Routledge.
Singh, J. (2012). 18th IAPRI World Packaging Conference. Lancaster, Pa: DEStech Publications.
Twede, D., Selke, S., Kamdem. & Shires, D. (2014). Cartons, crates and corrugated board: handbook of paper and wood packaging technology. Lancaster, Pa., U.S.A: DEStech Publications.
Yam, K. (2009). The Wiley encyclopedia of packaging technology. Hoboken, N.J: John Wiley & Sons.
