In 2019, Smithers-Oasis U.K. Ltd. was receiving product components and manufacturing materials shipped in cardboard and other disposable packaging. With the goal of reducing waste and environmental impact, they sought to build circular economy systems with their suppliers.
Together they created collapsible, reusable plastic pallets to replace the cardboard and disposable packaging. Employees partially collapse the crate sides while unloading, making it easy to access the products and prevent injury. After removing components, employees fully collapse the crate so it takes up minimal space in the facility.
Due to the reduction is disposable packaging, there was room for Smithers-Oasis U.K. to store rejected, damaged, or corrugated packaging until their box suppliers arrived with a delivery. Box suppliers retrieved the stored packaging and converted it into recycled material to use as kraft liner in virgin boxes.
The Smithers-Oasis U.K. designed stackable, collapsible, returnable boxes, removed 100% of single-use cardboard from the supply chain, and reduced annual cardboard waste by twenty-three tons.