Go green with parcel tape
There is growing pressure (and a desire) for businesses to become more environmentally friendly and to demonstrate this commitment to customers.
If you are looking for ways to improve your environmental credentials, there are many “quick wins” out there to help you make simple switches. One example is to use gummed paper tape to seal cartons.
Made from sustainable and naturally degradable materials, gummed paper tape is 100% recyclable and does not require removal from cartons before recycling. It’s also biodegradable, which makes it a perfect environmentally-friendly alternative to standard packing tape.
Of course, just substituting packaging products for more sustainable solutions isn’t enough to help the environment alone. Businesses also need to consider how they can use less packaging – how they can do more with less material.
Gummed paper tape is a good example of how the “more with less” principal can work in packaging.
If the tape is applied with an electronic dispenser, which can be set to cut your tape to a uniform size, you are ensuring that the correct amount of tape is used on each pack. This helps make sure your packers aren’t applying too much material, not only giving you a better yield from each roll, but also minimising wastage.
The excellent bonding properties of gummed paper tape also mean that you don’t need to apply several overlapping lengths to ensure a good seal, as can be the case with standard tape. Just one length of paper tape is enough to ensure a strong grip, again reducing the amount of material needed.
COST
Environmentally-friendly solutions can sometimes appear to be more expensive at first glance, often deterring many businesses from taking the plunge to switch to products, but always consider the cost per pack vs what you’re currently using.
For example, if the tape is 20p more expensive than your current tape, then at first glance it may look like a no-brainer to continue to use your current tape. However, how much paper tape needs to be applied to create the same strength and durability as the current tape you’re using?
If you are using less tape per pack, you are able, therefore, to seal more cartons per metre of tape – that’s where the cost saving can be found.
ASSOCIATED BENEFITS
There are other perks to switching to gummed paper tape too:
Gummed paper tape is strong – when applied to cartons, it creates a “bond” with the corrugate, making the entire parcel stronger and more secure. Better product protection means less damages, reducing the CO2 emissions (and costs) associated with replacing broken or lost products.
It speeds up packing time – application with a digital tape dispenser will not only help you minimise waste, it will also ensure you pack quicker and generate greater throughput in a shorter time. It will also reduce the risk of operator fatigue, helping to create a happier and healthier working environment.
Improves customer experience – Let’s be honest, standard adhesive tape doesn’t always look the neatest on a carton, sometimes it can look messy – depending on the experience of the operator.
Cartons sealed with gummed paper tape look neat and professional, reflecting positively on both your product and your brand whilst saying “we care about the environment”. Paper tapes can also be printed which is a great, low cost opportunity to promote your brand by adding a logo or personalised message.
For advice on gummed paper tape or other environmentally-friendly products, contact Macfarlane Packaging today.
