The Business Case for Used Boxes
Used boxes offer significant cost savings for applications where appearance is secondary to function. Many Fortune 500 companies use used boxes for internal operations.
- •40-70% cost savings vs new boxes
- •Same protection and functionality
- •Environmentally responsible choice
- •Immediate availability, no lead time
Calculating Your Potential Savings
Calculate your potential annual savings by comparing your current spending to used box pricing.
- •Gaylords: Save $5-12 per box (new $15-20, used $5-10)
- •Shipping boxes: Save $0.30-1.00 per box
- •Moving boxes: Save $1-3 per box
- •Example: 1,000 gaylords/year = $5,000-12,000 savings
Best Applications for Used Boxes
Used boxes excel in applications where functionality matters more than appearance.
- •Internal warehouse operations
- •Work-in-process (WIP) containers
- •Returns processing
- •Residential and office moves
- •Storage and organization
- •Non-customer-facing shipping
Quality Assurance for Used Boxes
Proper grading and inspection ensure used boxes meet your quality requirements.
- •Visual inspection for damage and contamination
- •Strength testing for critical applications
- •Grading system (A/B/C) for quality transparency
- •Satisfaction guarantee on all purchases
Implementing a Used Box Program
Successful implementation requires identifying suitable applications and training staff on proper use.
- •Audit current box usage by application
- •Identify non-customer-facing uses for conversion
- •Train staff on quality acceptance criteria
- •Track savings and adjust program as needed
Combining New and Used
Most businesses benefit from a mixed approach, using new boxes for customer-facing needs and used boxes for internal operations.
- •New boxes for retail and branded shipping
- •Used boxes for internal and B2B applications
- •Used boxes for testing and prototyping
- •New boxes for regulated industries