When it comes to packaging, you cannot deny the significance of corrugated boxes–thanks to their durability, strength, and versatility. However, their quality can get compromised if you do not follow the right care practices. Appropriate storage and handling can go a long way in maintaining the durability and quality of corrugated boxes–whether 3-ply or 5-ply. It can also enhance their lifespan, helping you get the most out of them. Here’s a comprehensive guide about how to properly store and handle corrugated packing boxes to maintain their quality.
Benefits of Handling and Storing the Corrugated Boxes Appropriately
Before proceeding with the tips on handling and storage of corrugated packaging boxes, understand why their apt maintenance is significant:
● Maintaining Structural Integrity
Appropriate handling and storage of the corrugated packaging boxes ensures their strength and structural integrity are maintained. It helps keep their load-bearing capacity intact. Also, it prevents deformation or collapse, which could compromise their contents’ safety.
● Reducing Operational Inefficiencies
When corrugated packing boxes are not cared for properly, it deteriorates their quality which increases wastage. It leads to an increase in replacements and repacking, causing unnecessary delays in supply chain operations and inflating operational costs.
● Extends Protection to Products
Handling and storing corrugated packing boxes appropriately leads to the maintenance of their original strength. Thus, it prevents the contents inside from getting damaged during the transit.
● Enhanced Sustainability
Following the correct storage and handling practices for corrugated boxes ensures the preservation of their original form. As the structural integrity of the boxes is maintained, it becomes easy for businesses to repurpose or recycle them, aligning with their sustainability goals.
4 Key Tips to Handle Corrugated Boxes Efficiently
Improper handling of corrugated packaging boxes can lead to their distortion, leading to product damage and additional costs. That’s why it is essential to follow the tips below:
● Apt Lifting Techniques
When you are lifting the corrugated packing boxes, lift them with proper care to prevent them from tipping and getting damaged. Always use the right lifting techniques, like forklift or pallet jack. In case you are lifting the boxes manually, use both your hands and lift the boxes from the bottom while keeping them close to your body.
● Opening the Boxes with the Right Tools
Often, a corrugated box features a lot of packaging and taping to keep the contents inside safe. Thus, when opening it, you must use the right tools, like utility knives or box cutters, to cut through the excessive seals and tape on the box seams. Using a sharp object can affect the sturdiness of the box, eventually leading to its damage.
● Do not Drag or Slide the Corrugated Packing Boxes
When transferring the corrugated packaging boxes from one place to another, avoid sliding or dragging them. It can weaken their outer surface, adversely affecting their strength and durability. Hence, it is always advisable to lift the boxes while shifting them.
● Avoid Overpacking
When you overpack a corrugated box, the contents can cut through its walls, causing tear and damage. Also, going beyond the weight-bearing capacity of the box can lead to its collapse during transit, causing damage to the contents inside. That’s why avoid overpacking the boxes beyond their load-bearing capacity.
4 Essential Tips for Proper Storage of Corrugated Boxes
Inappropriate storage can lead to the weakening or damage of the corrugated packaging boxes. To avoid this, follow the apt storage guidelines below:
● Regular Inspection While in Storage
When corrugated boxes are in storage for a long period, inspect them at regular intervals. Watch out for signs of wear and tear, pest or rodent infestation, or moisture damage. It will ensure that you catch potential problems in time and always have top-quality boxes on hand.
● Leave Apt Breathing Space
Corrugated packaging boxes stay their best when there’s apt breathing space. It prevents the attraction of mildew growth or mold. Thus, when storing them, stack them in a way that promotes appropriate airflow. Also, avoid sealing the boxes tightly unless they are ready for shipment.
● Avoid Continuous Exposure to Direct Sunlight
Continuous exposure to direct sunlight can erode the material of a corrugated box. It can make it brittle and weaken its structural integrity. Thus, it is better to store the boxes in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated area, away from direct sunlight.
● Rotate Your Stock
When buying corrugated boxes in large quantities, use the FIFO principle, i.e. first in and first out. It means using the old boxes first. Thus, you can easily prevent the boxes from staying in storage for too long, which can degrade their quality.
Conclusion
Corrugated boxes play an important role in the packaging of various goods and keeping them safe during transportation. No doubt, all e-commerce companies use these. Thus, it is important to maintain their quality while in use and storage by following the tips discussed above. Whether you have 3-ply or 5-ply boxes, it is equally important to handle and store them with care, promoting sustainability and maximum usability.