[NL] How to choose the right stacking bin for your business?

The term stacking bin covers a lot of storage bins that save space because, as the name suggests, they are stackable. You can put just about anything in them, from tools to small parts. In addition, you can count on a smooth transport of goods and efficient order picking. Well begun is half won, of course, so it is a good idea to look for the perfect selection of stacking bins for your logistics activities. How to do that? We tell you in this blog article.

1. What types of stacking bins are there?

Stacking bins come in all shapes and colours. This is of course useful if you are looking for something very specific, but the abundance of choice can sometimes be overwhelming. That is why we list the different types of stacking bins for you below.

► Selection guide for stacking bins

Which stacking bin you need depends on a lot of factors: products, available space, transport requirements, etc. Below is an easy overview of different stacking bins, as well as their properties and applications. Check out the advantages of each type of stacking bin, compare them and make the optimal choice for your logistics.

Type	Properties	Applications
Euronorm stacking bin	Standardised formats. Palletisable. Open or closed handles.	Fits seamlessly on europallets (1200 x 800 mm), industrial pallets (1200 x 1000 mm) and roll cages (800 x 600 mm).
Nestable stacking bin	Nestable: win space. Reinforced base. Version with pallet base available.	Save up to 70-75% space by nesting empty bins together for storage or transport.
Stacking bin with open front	Easy picking. Quick identification.	The open front guarantees faster order picking.
Storage box	Quick identification. Easily closed. Ergonomic handle.	Protects products from external factors such as dust, moisture and light. Easily movable and transparent.
Coloured stacking bin	Quick identification. Palletisable. Ideal for sorting items.	Use a colour system to store products quickly, conveniently and sorted.
Transparent stacking bin	Quick identification. Palletisable. Protective.	Instantly visible content. Convenient to find products immediately.
Perforated stacking bin	Excellent ventilation. Palletisable. Open or closed handles.	Do you store fresh produce or items that need to dry quickly? Perforations guarantee better preservation of product quality.
Cardboard stacking bin	Sustainable: 70% recycled cardboard. Palletisable. Quickly set up. Quality: 450 g/m².	A sustainable alternative to plastic stacking bins.

Choose from our full range of stacking bins here
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► Combine your stacking bin with useful accessories

A well-considered selection of stacking bins is a good start. There are also all kinds of accessories to help you work even more efficiently. Upgrade your storage with these handy extras:

Lid seals	Seal stackable bin lids with a lid seal for extra security. A nestable stackable bin with a sealed lid provides optimal protection for your goods and reduces the risk of theft or loss. Combine the seals on the left with this nestable stackable bin.
Adjustable cross dividers	Add convenient compartments inside the stackable bin to store small items separately. The notches make it easy to cut them to size to create a bin tailored to your items. Suitable for all Euronorm stacking bins
Undercarriage for bins	Undercarriages facilitate moving one or more stacking bins. Choose an under trolley to combine with your euronorm bins or a simple rolling tray for other formats.
Label holders	Easily label all the contents of your stacking bins with a self-adhesive label holder. This way, you won’t waste a single second looking for the materials you need. When the contents change, simply replace the label.

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2. Four tips for storage with stacking bins

Now that you know more about what stacking bins exist and what the main differences are, all that remains is to make the best use of your new purchase. To get you started, we’ve gathered a few handy tips for how to organise your storage functionally with stacking bins.

► Choose a stacking bin with the ideal material

The type of content and the conditions of your storage will determine which material is best to choose:

Plastic: polyethylene (PE) or polypropylene (PP) stacking packs are lightweight, easy to clean and cost-effective. They come in many different colours and sizes.
Cardboard: also lightweight and recyclable. In addition, cardboard is also sound-absorbent, which makes the material very suitable for conveyor belts.
Metal and stainless steel: these bins are very sturdy and hard-wearing, making them suitable for storing heavy loads.

► Organise, label and sort using bins

By classifying your materials smartly, you increase your efficiency and consequently your bottom line. To find all your materials quickly, you can sort them according to different criteria:

Content: group similar items together.
Frequency: place frequently used items in easily accessible locations.
Transportability: take into account the weight and size of items when determining their location.

After you have sorted your materials, it is also important to make sure everyone can find them easily. So implement a structured system using coloured bins and clear labels for quick and precise identification. With dividers, you can conveniently keep your grouped contents separate.

► Think storage as well as transport for a stacking bin

A stacking bin is not only for storage in one place, you can also transport materials in it. So your bins either stay in one place or are moved regularly. Here, it is very important to take into account the loading force, which varies according to this application:

Static loading force is the maximum weight a stacking bin can carry when not in motion. It applies when the bin is stationary, for example in a warehouse rack. Static loading force is usually higher than dynamic loading force.

Dynamic loading force refers to the maximum weight a stacking bin can carry during transport or movement. The dynamic loading force is usually lower than the static loading force, often about 30% to 50% of it, due to the higher probability of peak load during movement.

► Optimise the available area

When you have limited space to store your tools or products, it is best to arrange your storage vertically. For this, stacking bins are the tool of choice. This way, you store more material in less space, which also makes your warehouse easy to maintain. Moreover, you can also make them mobile by using an undercarriage to remain flexible. There are also a number of order picking methods to make your processes as efficient as possible.