How to reduce the size of your packaging (and your shipping costs) in 5 steps

When users receive an order, they will find three things inside the package: the products they ordered, the fillers that protect them during transport… and a large amount of empty space. This last element is the result of an accumulation of inefficiencies in the packaging process that are costing companies, in global terms, a total of $46 billion a year, according to a study by Forbes Insights for DS Smiths.

Research reveals that “at least a quarter of what manufacturers send across the oceans in containers is empty space”. And it turns out that, as we recently explained in the Rajapack Blog, parcel companies calculate the rate of each package they ship based not only on its actual weight, but also on the weight of the package itself volumetric weightin this way, every cubic centimetre of wasted box counts: they are making you pay a premium for simply sending air

In short, the logistics cost of using oversized packaging is a real sieve. It is urgent to take action to tackle the volumetric weight of your company’s or online shop’s shipments. The good news is that you can do this by taking these five steps to reduce the size of your packaging and , consequently, the associated transport costs. Get to work!

1.audit your orders: how much empty space is left in them?

The first thing to do is to carry out an audit of your shipments and the packaging used to pack them. Your order management tool or ERP system will help you with this. There are two aspects to consider:

a) Characteristics of the goods

• Nature (liquid, solid, fragile…)
• Weight
• Size

b) Packaging used

• Size and typology of boxes, envelopes, tubes, etc.
• Addition of filler materials

This study will allow you to identify the cases in which the empty space is really noticeable and to establish priorities for intervention to reduce the size of your packaging.

2.adapt the packaging to the characteristics of your products

Now that you know where to start, it’s time to optimise your packaging. Evaluate in which situations you should opt for:

• Smaller boxes, of different types or of adaptable height.
• Padded or rigid envelopes for smaller items; or bags instead of boxes.

In addition, with the audit of your orders you will have been able to identify a common defining pattern, or at least typical, in its size or type. This will allow you to adjust the measurements of your new packaging. At Rajapack we help you to find the right size packaging. Try it:

• Our custom-made boxes search engine, with more than 900 references at your disposal.
• Our bag finder, with which you will find your bags among a total of 800 formats in stock.

We would like to highlight the joint work with Rajapack in the search for types of packaging: film, sealing and storage material. Rajapack has advised us at all times and has also allowed us to group all our warehouse material purchases in a single supplier

Víctor Layunta (Logistics Manager of Pecomark)

3.involves the whole company in reducing the size of the packaging

The packaging optimisation process must be participatory and involve different departments of the company, or it won’t work. Remember that it is no use ending up with empty space in your packages if this hinders internal tasks, or if it impoverishes the customer’s shopping experience, especially at the moment of unboxing. To avoid this, you have to get the opinion of these three areas:

Production

You will prioritise packaging that is easy to handle, safe and allows you to pack the faster, the better.

Marketing and Customer Service

You will weigh up brand image, customer interaction and the impact of packagingon the customer’s perception of the company and their intention to buy.

Logistics and Transport

You will focus on minimal packaging, less weight and volume.

4.test and Learn’: test on a small scale

Once you have decided on the changes you want to apply to reduce the size of your packaging, and before extending them to the entire production chain, we suggest you apply the Test and Learn methodology, i.e. carry out some small-scale tests with a small number of shipments and customers.

In this test, you should evaluate two key variables:

• Packaging strength: now that it is smaller in size, does it still protect the products it holds properly during transit, and does it get them to their destination in good condition?
• User experience of unpacking: ask them directly or, if necessary, use online tools that measure the Net Promoter Score, i.e. a customer’s loyalty index to a brand.

5.stick with a flexible and efficient packaging supplier

Not all packaging suppliers are able to adapt to the needs of their customers efficiently and quickly, so in this new phase where you want to reduce the size of your packaging without compromising the quality that distinguishes your level of service, it is crucial that you find a partnerwho is up to the task.

One of the most important things for me, as I am always on the go, is speed. I need fast suppliers when it comes to answering e-mails or calls and sending the order. With Rajapack it is all very easy and fast: high quality, excellent customer service and short delivery times

Marta Carriedo (influencer, founder of the online shop
martacarriedocollection.com)

At Rajapack we are leaders in the sector, with up to 4 000 references always in stock, personalised attention for large accounts and deliveries in a maximum of 24/48 hours. Contact us and we will advise you on how to properly optimise your packaging. Take the 5 steps to reduce the size of your packages (and save costs) with us!