Reuse of paperboard packaging: a case study on distribution of supplies

Abstract

This article describes a case study on the reuse of cardboard packages received from suppliers and reused for the packaging of products to be distributed and delivered to customers in a supply distribution company. The research question is: How does the reuse of cardboard packaging impact the operation of a corporate supply and distribution company with national reach? Initially, the article presents a theoretical review on packaging, environmental impact, and storage. After that, the case is described according to the information collected by researchers at the studied company. The facts and their causes are described and investigated. A comparison, which includes the introduction of the reuse of packaging, is made between the current and former processes. There have been economic and environmental gains: reduction of 86% on the purchase of new cardboard packaging, and reduction of 87.3% on carbon footprint generated by the operation.

Keywords:
Distribution; Logistics; Environmental management; Supply chain management; Waste management