Transport packaging cuts CO2 emissions

Offered as an alternative to traditional bulk paperboard containers as well as molded-foam and injection-molded plastic containers, DS Smith Plastics’ AkyPak reusable sleeve packs provide a number of sustainability benefits for companies seeking to reduce their carbon footprint, says John C. McCurdy, vice president of commercial development.

“The sleeve panels are extruded from polypropylene plastic, making them far more durable than paperboard as they can withstand wet conditions if left outdoors,” McCurdy adds. DS Smith partners with other manufacturers to pair the sleeve pack sidewalls with a reusable plastic pallet and top cap made of thermoformed high-density polyethylene. The sleeves can be easily modified with different-sized access doors, or two can be used in a nesting C-shape to allow workers to remove one side to reach the contents. All three components are reusable for at least seven years, cutting down on expenses associated with replacing containers.

“I’ve seen some systems last as long as 20 years,” McCurdy adds, adding that all three components can be recycled at the end of their useful life. “They’re heavy duty, but at the same time significantly lighter than alternative bulk containers, with a total container weight of 20 pounds compared to 100 pounds or more for other units, That weight reduction cuts transportation costs as well as carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, further enhancing a company’s sustainability.”

The sleeve packs also collapse to a more compact height than bulk containers with foldable sidewalls, McCurdy adds. “When empty, the sidewalls can be removed, folded flat and stored between the lid and the pallet. This creates a higher return ratio—meaning more of them can be placed into a trailer—when compared to bulk containers.

That reduces the number of truck trips needed between supplier and manufacturer, again cutting emissions, he says. “We recently supplied the AkyPak 4You reusable sleeve pack customized for an automotive supplier, who determined that the system eliminated more than 300 truck trips and approximately 690,000 pounds of carbon dioxide annually,” McCurdy says.