EPA defines containers and packaging as products that are assumed to be discarded the same year the products they contain are purchased. The new national standard states that the moisture content of the paper should not be above 14%, which means that the paperboard has an . In fact, when boxes are stacked on a pallet with as little as inch hanging-over, as much as 30% of their strength is lost! Containers and packaging products in MSW are made of several materials: paper and paperboard, glass, steel, aluminum, plastics, wood, and small amounts of other materials. 0k2d% u:EN0xIueRf/#:{TM,IVV Uf=x(O'*X* %il _3DF=QF w(&TzSy%*ty{v9b Odt~lcgAUV\? It reduces the chance of moisture damage as well as cracks and creases due to dryness. Wandering around hoping to find treasuresor in this case, problemsisnt a strategy when so much money is on the line. Learn about the "gold standard" in quality. Container and packaging products, especially corrugated boxes, are among frequently recycled products. One solution to this problem is to stabilize the load by using stretch wrap. Seas the day with our quick guide to corrugated seafood shippers! Pallets made with green wood can have a moisture content (MC) ranging from 50-100% and can easily contain more than ten pounds of water. Packaging engineers work to meet the performance requirements of a box while controlling total costs throughout the system.. The purpose is to ensure that from the purchase of raw material through the delivery of the finished product to the customers' premises, all parameters of quality, hygiene and traceability are monitored. Yet other factors outside the transportation and handling of these products contribute to damages. When it is impossible to avoid extremes or fluctuations, bring the boxes to the packing line or another area for a period of time to condition them to a more normal atmosphere before using them. Forty% of the strength of corrugate is lost within the first 30 days of storage. Corrugated should be stored on pallets, ideally, which avoids direct contact with the floor and retains the means for mechanical handling (caution: forklifts, if operated carelessly, can damage corrugated). This was 11.8percent of MSW landfilled in 2018. Because products must be brought securely to market, some form of packaging will always be needed. He can be reached at[emailprotected]. After recycling, the combustion of corrugated boxes was 230,000 tons, and landfills received 940,000 tons in 2018. it can guarantee consistent hygienic conditions within a controlled production process. To put it another way, dont treat damage research like an Easter egg hunt. How can we arrive at the optimal packaging solutions that strike the right balance between cost, environmental impact, and safety, while allocating costs appropriately? Corrugated cardboard boxes are no exception. The boxes provide the intended protection against damage, leakage or other loss. On average, the figure is around 2%. Beginning in 2009, the Glass Packaging Institute provided production data. %PDF-1.5 Continue your learning with a deeper dive into our standards, chapter by-chapter, individually or as a team. Corrugated packaging Custom solutions made from renewable resources that protect and promote your goods. FEFCO members can download the document here OR please contact FEFCO at Houriet.lefebvre@fefco.org We remember those who have lost their liv From their unique branding depicting the legend of the '@BlastedChurch' to their award-winning wines & strong commu On the one hand, the story of Okanagan Falls, BC, winery Blasted Church Vineyards is similar to many others in the region. Reflects new or updated requirements: Changes represent new or revised requirements. JavaScript appears to be disabled on this computer. With the space between deckboards on a wooden pallet averaging 1-4 inches, it is common that the bottom of the box is not being entirely supported. Train your staff with a tool to quickly and efficiently assess standards compliance with our Hospital Compliance Assessment Workbook. Recycling data for other aluminum packaging categories were not available for 2018. Fax: 317-872-7872. Acceptance Conditions and Procedure for Certifying Bodies, World standards - Comparison testing methods FEFCO / EN / ISO / TAPPI, FEFCO Technical Specifications for Converting Equipment_V1.2, The updated document is now available here, this plant can guarantee that the product delivered to the customer fulfils all. corrugated boxes. A dash in the table means that data is not available. Ensure that pallets are free of nails, large splinters, and other sharp objects that can damage corrugated boxes. Certifications from The Joint Commission represent the most stringent, comprehensive and evidence-based proof of the success of your program available. And the resulting higher cost is passed on to the consumer. x=Fr?n[A]8)J$e;C`Dr6+W].yz}uw\|n=o+1WLyVY)Ww|n{_|zhz Additionally, the combustion of containers and packaging was 7.4 million tons (21.5 percent of total combustion with energy recovery) and landfills received 30 . An official website of the United States government. Is there a viable solution? The data below are from 1960 to 2018, relating to the total number of tons of wood packaging generated, recycled, composted, combusted with energy recovery and landfilled. In 2018, landfills received 17.2million tons of MSW paper and paperboard. Another area to examine is the force-to-load measurement, or the amount (in lbs.) EPA also estimated the recycling of plastic products based on data published annually by the American Chemistry Council, as well as additional industry data. Learn about the priorities that drive us and how we are helping propel health care forward. Develop a thorough understanding of how each part of the process affects the other: Is loading being done properly at the distribution center? Packaging Digest is part of the Informa Markets Division of Informa PLC. In establishing practices meant to assure that corrugated is fit for its intended purposes, the guidelines are, Keep out of reach of hazardous conditions, and, Handle with care., _____________________________________________________________________________________________, Sterling Anthony is a consultant, specializing in the strategic use of marketing, logistics, and packaging. Relative humidity regularly varies between 30 to 90 percent depending on location . Packaging products are comprised of different plastic resins. You may also want to look at reconfiguring the box dimensions to fit the pallet. Please click here to see any active alerts. The FEFCO GMP standard was launched at the end of 2003, renewed in 2006, to ensure that corrugated boxes meet all the requirements of quality, safety and hygiene. Cardboard too much water, will affect its normal use. Corrugated box design is the process of matching design factors for corrugated fiberboard boxes with the functional physical, processing and end-use requirements. Follow first in, first out practices in using inventory. Types of changes and an explanation of change type: Remember, without the lowly corrugated box, the product cannot be shipped! The recycling rate for corrugated boxes was 96.5 percent. For example, at 50% relative humidity (RH) a corrugated box is at 80% of its potential stacking strength. At the single-facer, it is heated, moistened, and formed into a fluted pattern on geared wheels. Measurement devices could be obtained from the suppliers: 19-0 . One way to avoid this is to use air-ride suspension trailers, which are uniquely adapted with air hoses that span from the truck to the trailer. While having a certain amount of moisture in the air (around 6% 7%) will ensure proper creasing, avoid cracks, maintain good bending and impact resistance, as well as cushioning and shock absorption, higher humidity levels can actually have a negative impact on those characteristics of corrugated board that we value most. In addition to any aforementioned approaches that can be modified for low humidity, inventory control can be effective, utilizing FIFO (first-in-first-out). Additionally, about 14.3 percent of the wood containers and packaging waste generated was combusted with energy recovery, while the remainder (58.8 percent) was landfilled. Improper and fluctuations in relative humidity can be seen in: These can result in the box structure breaking down, leading to a reduction in strength and, eventually, failure. Copyright 2022 FlexPAC Web Design by Roundpeg, To get all the tips on corrugated boxes, read our blog on, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window). Secure .gov websites use HTTPS Incredibly, it has been found that improper palletization can result in boxes losing up to 50% of their compression strength! This web page provides an overview of data on containers and packaging in municipal solid waste (MSW). The more in-depth information you uncover and the more precisely you can identify the sources of the issues, the better youll be able to develop and execute a corrective action plan. }]'YfN U zQnh)=nozo3gip&I|-5S|G~x?SAYY?\YX5~Z0oE8f6:34cw& XvZ-r) 4xB*vtlZsvq{ s8eSp|GcS*=hX f+*Pga!,#`~PT(9Ux]Ep|%P?>/+|xI 2$J[sASSt!X%PE$tC]a =J@5.F2` q p-"Aw;q^0rDNQNdS0Z"'Szt#c7Fz{DTm+p?iKB0)i:,3bJA41) Mitigating packaging damage in the supply chain, Loop Industries, Garnier Recycle PET into rPET Bottles via Repolymerization, Street Art Designs Energize Jolly Rancher Gummies Packaging, Regulatory Agencies Medical Packaging Pros Should Know, Breaking News in Flexible Packaging April 2023, Looking Through the Recycling Lens for Sustainable Packaging, Packaging Operations Can Make Practical Use of Industry 4.0. Excessive moisture or water can soften or dissolve the corrugating adhesive, causing delamination; a box that literally falls apart won't offer much protection. But theres a way to maximize its space. Reactions . Storage and transportation can expose corrugated boxes to fluctuations in temperature and humidity. The boxes are usable, and dont end up ready for recycling before they can fulfill their purpose; The boxes will run smoothly on automatic setup, filling and closing equipment, avoiding costly jam-ups, repacking and lost time; The boxes will stack squarely, avoiding costly accidents during palletization, storage and shipment; and. We know, boxes are not rocket science. The most common culprit of compression-loss is boxes hanging over the edge of the pallet. The aim of this study was to develop a model to predict spatio-temporal moisture content distribution in corrugated fibreboard cartons under standard RFC shipping conditions. Its fair to say that billions of productsall types, all sizes, all purposesmake the trip from the manufacturing plant to a distribution center to a retail store. NEW: Auditors need to renew certification documents every 5 years. Those variables aside, if high humidity is harmful, water is ruinous; therefore, under no circumstances should corrugated be stored outdoors, no matter the overhead protection. Additionally, about five percent of the steel containers and packaging waste generated was combusted with energy recovery, while the remainder (21.2 percent) was landfilled. And just where do you start? Excessive moisture or water can soften or even dissolve the corrugating adhesive, causing delamination; a box that literally falls apart wont offer much protection. Contact us to get started on your next project. Some of these include polyethylene terephthalate (PET) soft drink and water bottles, high-density polyethylene (HDPE) milk and water jugs, film products (including bags and sacks) made of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and other containers and packaging (including clamshells, trays, caps, lids, egg cartons, loose fill, produce baskets, coatings and closures) made up of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polystyrene (PS), polypropylene (PP) and other resins. The Joint Commission, (April 2019) Clarifying Infection Control Policy Requirements, This page was last updated on November 30, 2021. Incidentally, superimposed weight should be like-on-like, meaning, weights other than corrugated should not be superimposed on unit loads of corrugated. Easy Way to Analyze Moisture Content of Corrugated Boxes During production of corrugated boards, manufacturers often face a unique problem caused by inaccurate control of moisture; if the moisture content of the corrugated box is higher, it may leads to collapsing of the box. Once a box is formed, both before and after it is filled with product, maintaining its moisture content is critical to maintaining the boxs compression strength. Sources: USDA Forest Service Southern Research Station and Virginia Polytechnic Institute. FEFCO Technical Specifications for Converting Equipment_V1.2is meant to support all those in the industry who are involved in selecting converting machines, defining the specifications of the machines, commissioning the machines and using them after installation. The tear-resistant qualities of corrugated cardboard are hard to beat and they have the added advantage of guarding against moisture, so food items are kept fresh. 3 0 obj Get a Free Quote. Get a deep dive into our standards, chapter-by-chapter, individually or as a team. A very small percentagetypically less than 1%of the products within the cartons are damaged. Moisture and temperature are important considerations when discussing the strength and longevity of corrugated boxes. Ideally, store your boxes in a cool place. The amount of moisture in a board has a significant effect in the material's properties such as printability, shrinkage, dimensional stability, and physical strength. stream The data below are from 1960 to 2018, relating to the total number of tons of containers and packaging generated, recycled, composted, combusted with energy recovery and landfilled. The estimated amount of glass containers recycled in 2018 was 3.1 million tons, or 31.3 percent of generation. A lock (LockA locked padlock) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. The Reel Identification and Finishing Guidelines published in December 2017 has been developed by FEFCO together with Cepi ContainerBoard (CCB) and contains the principles for reels labelling as well as core requirements. MoistTech is very experienced with the requirements in the corrugated board moisture control process. Moisture produces unsightly staining. Water is used in the corrugated board production and aids in creating the liner board, forming the flute structure, and as part of the starch adhesive that combines them. High-humidity conditions can weaken the adhesive that bonds the fluted medium to the liners, enough, in fact, that the corrugated can delaminate. Our team has worked with countless companies whose boxes have faced just about every environmental condition imaginable. Thats bad under all circumstances but worse when the corrugated serves as a retail unit, sold from shelves or from pallets. | EPA estimated the generation of aluminum packaging at 1.9 million tons in 2018, or 0.7 percent of MSW generation. Check out our Frequent Questions page. Using an interlocked pattern, which rotates each layer on the load, can destroy up to 50% of the compression strength. In this free ebook, learn how to leverage the strengths of each generation in your packaging department. Ideally, there should be no gaps between cases that are stacked on top of each other. Were all familiar with how easily paper can soak up liquids. The data below are from 1960 to 2018, relating to the total number of tons of paper and paperboard generated, recycled, composted, combusted with energy recovery and landfilled. Virtually eliminates load crushing by distributing the force of the film over the entire load, without the use of corner boards, Can take a shock or vibration and still maintain the load in its original unitized configuration, Material cost per pallet is less than shrink wrapping or strapping, Equipment is less expensive than shrink wrapping, bagging or automatic strapping equipment, Provides lower operating and maintenance costs, Provides a large energy saving over shrink wrapping, May be produced tinted or opaque for product identification or pilferage prevention, Provides less resistance to moisture than shrink wrap, Cannot be used to (vertically) compress a pallet load because its primary holding force is in the horizontal direction. A dash in the table means that data is not available. endobj endobj When relative humidity increases, the corrugated board will pull moisture from the air until it reaches the same moisture content level. Find out about the current National Patient Safety Goals (NPSGs) for specific programs. Use good materials handling procedures; dont drop or throw bundles or pallet. By unitization, we simply mean the process of bundling and securing several individual packages together, often on a pallet. The pallet is designated as damaged on delivery from the plant, and the carrier takes it back. Paperboards were subjected to WVTR test for 7 days at 22C temperature, 55% humidity and 42C temperature, 85%humidity values using Thwing-Al-bert EZ-Cup Vapometer Permeability Cups. What about column or interlocking stacking? Higher humidity levels can drastically affect corrugate strength. Containers and packaging make up a major portion ofmunicipal solid waste (MSW), amounting to 82.2 million tons of generation in 2018 (28.1 percent of total generation). All rights reserved. The data below are from 1960 to 2018, relating to the total number of tons of glass containers generated, recycled, composted, combusted with energy recovery and landfilled. boxes with higher basis weight, using wet strength resin additives or adhesives or application of surface barrier coatings. <> This Standards FAQ was first published on this date. A lock (LockA locked padlock) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. Implementing this GMP means having a total control system in place in each manufacturing plant. Both cases can lead to failure. Check out our self-paced learning resources and tools including books, accreditation manuals and newsletters. What are some specific problems caused by moisture? The boxes they need for shipping represent, on average, less than 1% of the value of their contents. Are incidence rates being observed, captured and tracked? The corrugated industry produces the N1 transport packaging in the world. The amount of wood pallet recycling (usually by chipping for uses such as mulch or bedding material, but excluding wood combusted as fuel) in 2018 was 3.1 million tons. Regardless of the percent of recycled content, the resulting corrugated is not as strong as its counterpart comprised of virgin material. Cardboard in storage quantities (recommend consultation with your Fire Marshal) should be placed in hazardous areas protected per LS.02.01.30 and cannot obstruct the means of egress in accordance with standard LS.02.01.20. And if there has to be an investment in storage racks, a favorable tradeoff is that the specified heights of unit loads can be increased, leading to increased storage densities, and later, increased handling efficiencies. Its not easy loading a 53-ft.-trailer. Gaposis that originates at the palletizer dramatically increases the potential for damage. This situation can be much like a double-edged sword. the moisture content of box board paper is (12 4)% moisture content is the moisture content in the paperboard, expressed in percentage, and the calculation formula is: moisture content = (original weight of sample - weight of sample after drying) 100% /original weight of sample )3$q:z]==V/_WwOw~cogf8{<>E5ep8\3^G}`*Y Boxes and containers may have been exposed to unknown and potentially high microbial contamination. Therefore, any discussion about improving the sustainability of production and consumption must always address packaging as an essential part of the supply chain. The result is known as moisture resistant adhesive (MRA). An official website of the United States government. Given the economic and environmental costs vs. benefits of different materials, designs, applications and logistical operations, whats the best way to effectively manage these variables to make the most appropriate packaging decisions? Corrugate is 71% weaker at 95% humidity vs. 50% humidity. endobj This was 12.2 percent of all MSW combusted that year. Additionally, about 13 percent of the aluminum containers and packaging waste generated was combusted with energy recovery, while the remainder (52.1 percent) was landfilled. However, once the . Damage to. A solution for avoiding direct contact with the floor and for avoiding superimposed weights is storage racks, especially if the facility already is so equipped. 2 0 obj Additionally, the combustion of containers and packaging was 7.4 million tons (21.5 percent of total combustion with energy recovery) and landfills received 30.5 million tons (20.9 percent of total landfilling) in 2018. Entire unit loads rejected at distribution centers can cost well over a thousand dollars each and create significant delays. Shock and vibration can affect stiff trailers with no cushion load. Logically, the more packaging there is, the more protection there should be. Phone: 317-872-0097 The construction of a box can become even more complicated for dangerous goods. Keep learning with our Hospital Breakfast Briefings Webinar Series. The solution here is to make sure you are using the proper pallet size or the proper palletizing pattern to avoid overhang. Consider that while shifting to more eco-friendly materials meets consumers increasing demand for more-sustainable packaging, the likelihood for damage rises. This may be avoided by choosing pallets with deckboards that are strategically positioned so all of the vertical edges of the box (corners) are being supported. The moisture content of the box is determined by environmental relative humidity. Even stretching the limits of extreme accountability, its virtually impossible for an inanimate objectsay, a case of twenty-four 18oz cans of cornto heed a common warning: Travel at your own risk., Or even the caution Items may shift during loading.. Although it would be difficult to calculate the reduction of strength under fluctuating conditions over time, the chart below (Protective Packaging for Distribution, 2010) is used to determine the compression strength loss over time under various environmental conditions. Its important to monitor whether the recommended pre-stretchage is being adhered to in the process. JavaScript appears to be disabled on this computer. Gene Bodenheimer, senior vice president, retail logistics damage research at Genco,leads the companys team responsible for investigating solutions for unsaleable products as well assupply chain solutions within Genco's retail vertical. In very humid environments, such as a warehouse with an uncontrolled climate in the summertime, stacking strength is greatly reduced. And unfortunately, humidity is one factor that cannot always be controlled. EPA included estimates for some other miscellaneous packaging, such as bags made of textiles and small amounts of leather. In other words, this cannot be a needle in a haystack approach. Corrugated boxes can protect even the most fragile items, including glass and chemical liquids. One effective strategy is pinwheeling, in which the direction of every other pallet is altered. Stack boxes only on smooth, clean surfaces. it means that all the well known requirements of other standards are met (e.g. Optical/ Laser measuring device: Bahmller 1 0 obj At FlexPAC, we take a customer-first approach through creative insights and data collection to create turnkey solutions in the areas of packaging products, package design, facility equipment & products, safety equipment, and training. <>/Font<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageB/ImageC/ImageI] >>/MediaBox[ 0 0 595.32 841.92] /Contents 4 0 R/Group<>/Tabs/S/StructParents 0>> From travel distance to changes in road conditions and elevation, transportation can have wide-ranging effects on the level of product damage. 4 0 obj Sources: American Chemistry Council and National Association for PET Container Resources (NAPCOR). This site is operated by a business or businesses owned by Informa PLC and all copyright resides with them. Glass containers include beer and soft drink bottles, wine and liquor bottles, as well as bottles and jars for food and juices, cosmetics, and other products. First, its important to ensure compatibility between the film used and the stretch-wrap machinery. Moisture Content Takes a Leading Role. In addition to accreditation, certification, and verification, we provide tools and resources for health care professionals that can help make a difference in the delivery of care. Workers should never toss, drop, or drag shipping boxes. Aluminum containers and packaging include beer and soft drink cans (including all carbonated and non-carbonated soft drinks, tea, tonic, waters and juice beverages), other cans, and foil and closures (including semi-rigid foil containers, caps, closures and flexible packaging). Extreme cold also affects moisture content, making the boxes more fragile. So, how extensive is the problem? A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Paper containers and packaging, excluding corrugated boxes, had a recycling rate of 20.8 percent, while corrugated boxes had a recycling rate of 96.5 percent in 2018. According to industry numbers, corrugated is utilized for 95% of packaged goods, with boxes (i.e. Official websites use .gov As much as 11% of unit loads arriving at a distribution center have some level of case damage. Other unitization techniques commonly used include shrink wrapping, bagging and strapping. When building pallet loads of flat boxes, use deck boards to distribute weight evenly. Moisture Resistant Adhesives (MRA) of 0.5%-1.0% liquid resin (assuming 50% solids content) shall be used in the converting process for boxes manufactured in Europe, North America, and Australia. The corrugated board is considered as the second most used packaging material and the world's environmentally acceptable solution for packaging, with wide range of applications. Indianapolis, IN 46278 Faced with the manufacturing-industry standard of a two-hour unload window or risk hefty detention charges, retailers frequently reject entire unit loads at the dockeven if only one or two cartons are damaged.