Understanding Shipping Containers and the Right Packaging for your Produce

You are preparing to ship your products to market or directly to your customers. What type of container should you use to make sure your product makes it safely to the destination?

Choosing the right packaging or box for shipping is an important decision that every brand must make. Naturally, you want your product to arrive unharmed and in a condition that your buyers will appreciate. The key is to choose the right container for your product and for the type of shipping that you need. 

Let's take a tour of six of the leading shipping packaging options to get your products where they are going.

1. Corrugated Cardboard Boxes

Corrugated cardboard is the most common type of shipping box. The corrugation means the cardboard is layered in a way that makes each side both stronger and features a built-in protective cushion against impacts during the shipping process.

Corrugated cardboard boxes and crates can be used to ship one item or multiple items in a single order while providing protection and padding along the way. These cardboard boxes are also highly recyclable and often made of recycled paper.

Of course, these boxes are only suitable for dry goods and products that are not heavy enough to punch through the cardboard.

When shipping produce, corrugated cardboard boxes may not be your best option and may pose several challenges.

Cardboard boxes can absorb moisture, leading to mold and bacterial growth, while offering limited protection against physical damage. Additionally, they lack insulation for temperature control and ventilation, crucial for preserving freshness during transportation.

Cardboard boxes may not withstand rough handling or stacking, increasing the risk of damage during transit. Overall, while commonly used, corrugated cardboard boxes may not always be the optimal choice for shipping produce.

2. Wax Corrugated Boxes

For products that might be moist or exposed to wet conditions, wax corrugated boxes have been the packaging of choice. Wax corrugated boxes are corrugated cardboard that have been coated in wax to protect from moisture and damp.

This type of box is the traditional choice for shipping produce and refrigerated items where moisture is inherent to the product or shipping conditions. In 1900, when the wax coated box was introduced, it was the best we could do with technology at the time. But times change.

Wax corrugated boxes are no longer the best material for shipping produce and other goods where moisture is a concern. They get soggy over time and can be subject to mold growth.

Lastly, the wax coating makes the box non-recyclable and non-compostable, contributing to environmental concerns. The wax coaching may also contain chemicals that can leach into the produce, posing potential risks to consumers.

Altogether, consumer trends continuously change. Consumers care about the environment, so you should be using a shipping box that is recyclable and/or reusable. 

3. Corrugated Plastic Boxes

Corrugated plastic boxes take the design of wax corrugated boxes to the next logical stage of design. The reinforced plastic is sturdy, lightweight, and impervious to moisture.

Corrugated plastic boxes offer an efficient and moisture-proof (not just moisture-resistant) packaging option that is ideal for produce and frozen goods. They cannot get soggy and are highly resistant to mold, providing a secure way to not only transport your produce, but also reduce food waste in the process.

Your produce can be kept fresh and protected from impacts and moist conditions during shipping. Not only are the boxes durable enough to re-use, but the corrugated plastic can also fold flat and be recycled into new plastic products boosting your shipping sustainability. Plus, you can stack them to create more space.

With that said, when you are thinking and deciding on what to ship your produce in or your wax-corrugated boxes just aren't doing the trick anymore. You may want to consider transitioning to corrugated plastic boxes.

Introducing FriendlyBox by Industry Plastic

If you are looking for the optimal shipping container to transport your products to market or directly to customers, FriendlyBox can provide the structure, protection, and sustainability that your produce and brand needs.

Produce brands who are tired of the hassle and waste associated with wax corrugated boxes have a new solution.

Corrugated plastic boxes are evolutionary, improving everything both good and bad about wax corrugated boxes for produce transport. With modern plastics, there is no longer any need for wax-coated cardboard. The corrugated plastic is also better at preserving the quality of your produce and is recyclable, reducing both food waste and landfill waste at the same time.

Every FriendlyBox by Industry Plastic is custom-tailored to client needs and brand while providing all the benefits of corrugated plastic shipping containers for your produce.

Contact Industry Plastic to explore your options and source custom-made corrugated plastic boxes for your shipping needs.