The entire production process is designed to ensure the most value is produced at the lowest cost possible. Part of this plan is ensuring that goods reach their distribution destination safely from the warehouses, which emphasizes the importance of proper packaging. Proper shipping begins with the right choice of the packaging container. This decision is guided by various considerations such as the transportation costs, nature of the products, and the shipping conditions. The durability of the packaging material, the cost, convenience and environmental conditions are also important considerations (Khademi & Pazirandeh, 2012, p. 10). With this information, shipping companies can make a choice between shipping containers that paper-based, plastic-based and wood-based. Each of these materials has both advantages and disadvantages, the companies only have to make a comparison and choose the materials that are of most benefit to the company.
Wood-based containers, in the form of plywood boxes and wooden crates, are most popular of the packaging materials in the shipping industry. They are considered the best storage means because of the level of protection they give to objects, effectively preventing breakage and damage ( Low, Elms & Organizacion Mundial del Turismo 2013 , p. 6 ) . Shipping companies particularly prefer wooden boxes for heavy-duty packaging such as when large size packaging is needed, when the load is difficult and heavy, when strength and rigidity of the stacking are critical, and where there is a need for long-term warehousing.
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If a company prioritizes the lifespan of the packaging material, plastic crates are a preferred choice because their ability to last long pushes down the costs of operation. The crates are made of polypropylene or polyethene that has a low rate of degradation, high impact strength and a better scratch resistance compared to other forms of plastic (Khademi & Pazirandeh, 2012, p. 12). Although a hard surface has less cushioning effect to the contents, the smooth plastic surface is easy to clean and offers good protection to the contents of the crates.
Paper-based packaging has been gaining popularity recently especially among transport companies shipping fruits and other perishables. The boxes are easy to use and occupy minimal space compared to other packaging material. The products being transported occupy greater space, which improves the efficiency of the travel company (Khademi & Pazirandeh 2012, p. 14). Consequently, the cost of shipping becomes low. The paper-based material is also cheaper because it does not require chemical treatment as the wooden crates. Therefore, paper-based containers are not only safe for commodities they also save on costs.
Comparing and contrasting the advantages of the three measures of transportation brings out apparent differences that companies can consider in their decision-making. First, shipping containers made from wood and plastic have a long life and save on shipping costs in the long-term ( Low, Elms & Organizacion Mundial del Turismo 2013 , p. 9 ) . This is because the hardwood used to make shipping containers is strong and durable and could last for many years. Wood is not corrosive and is the best for transporting corrosive cargo. Consequently, the commodities in this container remain protected and fresh. The material does not also bend under the weight of the contents. However, plastic containers are also superior for their water resistance, unlike plastic and paper containers, making them the appropriate shipping containers to be used in a humid environment. Paper-based containers also save on transportation costs because they are not reusable (Bartholdi & Hackman, 2014, p. 16). Companies do not have to hire cleaners or return empty bulky containers, and unlike wooden containers, they do not require chemical treatment.
As the world embraces environmental conservation in production, wood-based and paper-based packaging material outshines plastic packaging. Wood and paper are biodegradable while plastic-based containers are made out of toxic material that does not decompose. Plastic is made out of polymer material to which additives like anti-oxidants are added to make the material stronger (Bartholdi & Hackman, 2014, p. 19). Although this means that plastics can be reused, they eventually break and have to be released into the environment. The making and the disposal of plastics are harmful to the environment and an environmentally conscious company would choose paper or wood-based packaging material on this ground (Bartholdi & Hackman, 2014, p. 20). One might argue that paper and wood also require the cutting of trees for production. However, this is inevitable and often, these trees are replaced with new seedlings. Therefore, wood and paper are environmentally conscious choices.
Each of the three packaging materials has disadvantages also. Wood-based containers are bulky and take up a lot of space, which means that for wooden containers to be used for transportation a significant proportion of the much-needed room for cargo will be taken up by the containers adding to the fact that the cargo becomes bulky ( Low, Elms & Organizacion Mundial del Turismo 2013 , p. 11 ) . It increases the number of trips made, pushing the cost of transportation upwards, and this cost is passed on to the customer which makes commodities unnecessarily expensive. In addition, when subjected to moisture, wood warps and leaks causing damage to the items on transportation. If untreated, it wood can also develop fungi and harbor bacteria that contaminate the items on transit. The chemicals used for treatment are also risky and could contaminate the products too. Lastly, since wood containers encourage deforestation, if this is done by the entire industry, cutting down of trees could become the biggest climate change and global warming trigger.
Plastic containers also have disadvantages. The containers have hard surfaces that damage the items in transit ( Twede et al. 2014, p. 22). Companies, therefore, use liners that cushion the commodities, but this raises expenses. Plastic containers also have to be reused increases shipping costs because empty crates have to be transported back, adding to the cost of shipping. Just like wood containers, they too are bulky, occupying extra space that could be occupied by the cargo. Unlike wood containers, plastic containers cannot be modified to suit cargo needs, which mean that companies have to invest in different sizes to fit different kinds of cargo.
Paper-based containers, besides possibly leading to environmental degradation from the cutting of trees are an expensive method. Since the paper boxes are not reused, procuring them for each trip can be expensive. In addition, the paper boxes do not resist moisture, subjecting the cargo to damage by water. This fact alone increases insurance costs for companies using paper-packaging boxes, further adding to the cost of transportation.
The success of a distribution process heavily relies on the dependability of the shipping containers. Companies can choose from among paper-based, wood-base and plastic-based shipping containers depending on the transportation budget, prevailing weather conditions, nature of the items to be moved and the company’s environmental conservation awareness and dedication. The nature of each material determines its appropriateness for each condition, with both advantages and disadvantages.
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Bartholdi, J. J., & Hackman, S. T. (2014). W arehouse & Distribution Science: Release 0.8 Supply Chain and Logistics Institute. Bottom of Form
Khademi Kord, H., & Pazirandeh, A. (2012). Comparison of Different Packaging Materials and Solutions on a Cost Basis for Volvo Logistic Corporation . Master's thesis, Magisteruppsats.
Low, P., Elms, D. K., & Organizacion Mundial del Turismo. (2013). Global value chains in a changing world . Geneva: World Trade Organization.
Twede, D., Selke, S. E. M., Kamdem, D.-P., & Shires, D. B. (2014). Cartons, crates and corrugated board: Handbook of paper and wood packaging technology .
