How to Pack Store and Dispose of Your Packaging

 How to Pack, Store, and Dispose of Packaging Materials Effectively and Sustainably? Properly packing, storing, and disposing of packaging materials is essential for ensuring efficiency and sustainability in your operations. This guide by CustPrints provides practical advice for managing your packaging at every stage, enabling you to optimize processes while reducing your environmental impact.

Your custom boxes have arrived and look just like you envisioned. You store them neatly in a cardboard box against the wall, out of sight, and forget about them until it’s time to get packing. When orders come in and you need to pack up, you realize, to your dismay, that some of your boxes are damaged.

While designing your packaging, packing your products, and shipping them on time are all crucial, it’s equally important to store your packaging materials properly. A significant portion of your company’s budget has gone into creating appealing and functional boxes, and it’s essential to take good care of them even before they’re used for packing your products. Our simple guide will provide insights into storing, packing, and discarding your boxes properly to ensure they remain in perfect condition.

 

How do I properly store packaging boxes?

When your boxes arrive and before you store them, it’s important to perform a quality test. Regardless of the size of your business, you want your customers to have the best unboxing experience. A quick check on the quality and consistency of the boxes ensures that every customer receives a product that meets your brand standards. This simple step can help prevent issues down the line.

Additionally, it’s a good idea to label the larger carton containing your materials (if it isn’t already labeled) to make it easier to identify and access when needed. Proper labeling helps you keep track of your inventory and avoid any confusion when it’s time to use the packaging.

How to pack the products into the box?

It can be overwhelming to pack your products into boxes when you have several orders to handle at the same time. To make the packing process smoother, have all your materials ready and within reach. Keep your packaging tape close to the boxes. If you’re including a customized thank-you note, make sure you have a template prepared so you don’t waste time figuring out what to write. Here’s a simple template to help you get started.

An assembly line can significantly speed up your packing process. Assign specific stations and roles to everyone assisting in packing the products. Before you start, ensure to give your boxes a final quality check and dust them off. Dusty boxes can prevent tape from sticking properly.

Avoid overstuffing your boxes. Use filler materials such as tissue paper, bubble wrap, and pellets in moderation—just enough to keep your products protected. Once your boxes are sealed and ready, they’re typically placed inside a larger box or poly mailer for shipping. This extra layer helps keep your custom boxes safe and scratch-free during transit.

It's also wise to put yourself in your customers' shoes. Think about their unboxing experience—are the products safe and well packaged? Is there too much waste material to dispose of? Consider these factors to enhance your customer experience.

How should I deal with sustainable packaging?

There’s no doubt you’ll be left with some packaging to discard. Instead of simply throwing it away, why not find a sustainable way to dispose of it? This not only reflects well on your brand but also encourages your customers to do the same. Here are a few simple disposal tips:

1. Recycle cardboard boxes. Paper and cardboard are easily recyclable and can be converted into new boxes. Alternatively, they can be repurposed to store other items.

2. Tissue paper and other paper packaging can be composted. Set up a home composting site and share this with your customers, so they can do the same.

3. Unfortunately, foam pellets aren’t recyclable. You can, however, reuse them for packaging other items or reach out to shipping stores that accept donations.

With these tips, storing, packing, and discarding your boxes sustainably no longer has to be a hassle. You can confidently place your packaging order now that you have all the information.

Get started on ordering your custom boxes today! And you can also contact our sales staff.