Worried about the rising cost of stretch wrap or shrink wrap or the Workers Comp claims that can result from all those awkward wrapping postures and the use of cutting knives? Reusable pallet wrappers can reduce or eliminate the need for plastic film, say suppliers of this reusable packaging category.
Envirowrapper in a produce distribution application.
Avoiding plastic wrap is a good way to cut cost while improving ergonomics and reducing environmental footprint, they stress. Wrapping the average pallet consumes about 135 linear feet or about a pound of plastic, which is either recycled or sent to the landfill.
Frank Gallucci of Amici Enterprises, manufacturer of the Envirowrapper, says that his reusable wrapper helps customers better maximize pallet height, while eliminating damage due to loads toppling over. In addition, pallets do not cling together as they do with stretch wrap. Using reusable wrap also translates into a reduction in stretch wrap disposal. Frank reports recent new customer wins in Canada, Ireland, and in Venezuela. We previously reported on the use of reusable wrappers at Premier Organics. Amici, which has been selling the Envirowrapper since 1991, reports many happy repeat customers.
“Pallet Wrapz™ offer a solution to the high cost of stretch film and a reduction in damage to product on the pallets,” offers Matt Jacobs of Pallet Wrapz™, a manufacturer of reusable pallet wrappers.
Matt is quick to point out additional benefits in terms of waste reduction, as well as with respect to mesh in the wrap which improves air flow through the product. “There is very little if any condensation buildup during the summer months with high humidity that can cause the food product on pallets to spoil,” he says. Both vendors report that their reusable wrappers are quicker and more ergonomically friendly to apply than manual stretch wrapping, while unwrapping does not prevent risk of knife cuts or strains associated with pulling off plastic film.
Reusable wrappers incorporate a plastic wrapper in conjunction with belts and Velcro or buckle systems to tighten them around the pallet. They can be customized to fit a range of palletized products from fresh produce to postal/printing, beverage, and frozen foods. Additionally, Amici offers an insulated wrapper for temperature-control products. Display pockets or other features can provide messaging on wrapped unit loads.
Pallet Wrapz in action. Reusable pallet wraps can be configured for various applications.
There are enormous opportunities for reusable wrappers, especially within facilities where products are palletized after production or container unloading, wrapped and stored, before being unwrapped in the same facility for further processing or distribution. In supply chain applications, attention to reusable wrapper control is important to ensuring the success of the program. Whether for use within a facility or for shipment to trading partners, a few simple steps can help ensure success:
- Determine where wrappers will be stored, to ensure ready access to staff who will be using them.
- Establish best practices for removing and rolling up wrappers, as well as storage and return procedures. It is important for employees at the receiving destination to know not to cut them off as they would with plastic film.
- Attention to minimizing dwell time and facilitating prompt return will help minimize the amount of wrappers required, as well as help eliminate the possibility of loss.
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- Premier Organics Reduces Stretch Wrap Usage Through a Reusable Pallet Wrap Program
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- Improve Your Stretch Wrap Recycling Recovery