The Hidden Costs of Poor Packaging
Poor Packaging Meaning?
When packaging isn’t up to standard, the consequences go far beyond a damaged box. From increased returns to productivity losses, poor packaging can quietly drain resources, impact customer satisfaction, and eat into your bottom line. Let’s break down the hidden costs you might not have considered.
Damages & Returns
Inadequate packaging can result in significant damage to products during transit, leading to costly returns, increased waste, and dissatisfied customers. Every damaged item requires additional handling, replacement costs, and logistical expenses, not to mention the negative environmental impact of unnecessary waste. Even if you replace the item free of charge, the long-term effect on your brand reputation can be severe, potentially leading to lost customer trust and reduced repeat business.
Ensuring the safety and security of your goods throughout the shipping process is crucial for maintaining customer satisfaction and minimising avoidable costs. At Hub Packaging, we provide a comprehensive range of protective packaging solutions specifically designed to safeguard products from potential damage during transit and storage. Whether you need durable wrapping, cushioning materials, or reinforced packaging options, we have the right solution to help keep your items secure.
Here are some of our key offerings to help you optimise your packaging and prevent unnecessary losses:
Foam Rolls
Our foam rolls provide versatile, lightweight cushioning, ideal for protecting delicate items during shipping, packing, or storage. They are durable and easy to use, ensuring your fragile items stay safe from damage.
Bubble Wrap
Bubble wrap is a lightweight, reliable packaging material that protects products during shipping, storage, or transit. It offers excellent protection for fragile items, ensuring they arrive at their destination intact.
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Bubblewrap – Small – 1500mm x 100m (5 x 300mm)
£38.75 exc. VAT EachAdd to basket -
Bubblewrap – Small – 1500mm x 100m (3 x 500mm)
£38.10 exc. VAT EachAdd to basket -
Bubblewrap – Small – 1500mm x 100m
£37.05 exc. VAT EachAdd to basket -
Bubblewrap – Large – 1500mm x 50m (2 x 750mm)
£37.70 exc. VAT EachAdd to basket
Cardboard Protection
Our cardboard protection solutions offer a sturdy, eco-friendly option for safeguarding fragile items during shipping. They ensure products arrive intact and undamaged, providing peace of mind during transit.
Corner Protection
Corner protection prevents damage to goods during transit by cushioning impacts, ensuring safe delivery and preserving product integrity. It’s an essential component for protecting the vulnerable edges of your products.
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L Profile Foam – 50mm x 50mm x 2m – Green
£217.45 exc. VAT EachAdd to basket -
U Profile Foam – 45mm x 60mm – Green
£111.57 exc. VAT Add to basket -
Edge Board 100mm x 100mm 5mm x 1000mm
£2,608.60 exc. VAT 1000Add to basket -
Edge Protectors Plastic X-Large 57mm x 48mm – Black
£77.80 exc. VAT 1000Add to basket -
Corner Protectors Plastic Expandable Large 35 – 70mm – Black
£39.80 exc. VAT 250Add to basket
Cardboard Pallet Sheets
Cardboard pallet sheets provide cost-effective protection and stability for palletized goods, reducing damage during storage and shipping for businesses. They are an excellent solution for maintaining the integrity of your shipments.
By incorporating these protective packaging materials into your shipping processes, you can significantly reduce the risk of damage to your goods during transit. Explore our full range of products to find the perfect solutions for your packaging needs.
2. Wasted Materials
Using excessive or ineffective packaging materials not only increases costs but also negatively impacts sustainability efforts. Overpackaging leads to wasted materials, unnecessary bulk, and higher shipping expenses due to increased weight and volume. On the other hand, under-packaging leaves products vulnerable to damage, resulting in costly returns, replacements, and potential customer dissatisfaction. Striking the right balance between protection and efficiency is essential for businesses looking to optimise their packaging strategy.
By choosing high-quality, appropriately sized packaging solutions, companies can reduce material waste, cut down on shipping costs, and enhance the overall customer experience. Investing in the right packaging materials ensures that products remain secure during transit while minimising excess waste. Additionally, sustainable alternatives, such as recyclable or biodegradable packaging, can help businesses meet environmental goals and reduce their carbon footprint.
At Hub Packaging, we offer a wide range of packaging solutions designed to help businesses achieve efficiency without compromising protection. From lightweight void fill materials to durable, eco-friendly alternatives, we provide solutions that ensure optimal protection while reducing costs and waste. By making smart packaging choices, companies can improve their operational efficiency, lower expenses, and enhance their brand’s sustainability efforts.
Cardboard Shredder
A cardboard shredder helps reduce wasted materials by repurposing old cardboard into eco-friendly packaging, eliminating the need for additional void fill. It minimises disposal costs and landfill waste, turning scrap into a cost-effective protective material. By reusing existing packaging, businesses can enhance sustainability while cutting down on excess packaging waste.
Pallet Wrap Machines
Pallet wrapping machines optimise film usage by applying the perfect amount of stretch wrap, reducing excess material waste. They improve load stability while minimising packaging costs and environmental impact.
3. Higher Shipping Costs
Packaging that isn’t optimised can lead to a variety of logistical challenges, including increased storage and transportation costs. When packaging is bulky, inefficient, or poorly designed, it takes up more space in shipping containers or storage areas, reducing the overall capacity available for goods. As a result, more shipments may be required to transport the same amount of products, leading to higher freight costs and inefficient use of resources. In addition, packaging that is unnecessarily heavy adds to the overall weight of the shipment, further driving up transportation costs, particularly when shipping large volumes over long distances.
On the other hand, smart packaging solutions are designed with efficiency in mind, focusing on reducing excess weight and optimising space utilisation. This means that businesses can fit more products into the same space, reducing the number of shipments required and making better use of available storage space. Smart packaging can also lower freight costs by reducing the weight of individual packages, making it a more cost-effective choice in the long run.
4. Productivity Losses
If your packaging process is slow or inefficient, your team is spending valuable time on reworks, repacking, or dealing with returns. Streamlining your packaging setup can enhance workflow efficiency and reduce labour costs.
AirWave Air Pillow Machines
Air Wave machines produce air pillows on demand, reducing the need for bulky traditional packaging materials. These lightweight, recyclable cushions minimise waste while providing efficient product protection.
Case Taper
Case tapers ensure consistent, secure sealing of boxes, reducing tape waste and improving packaging efficiency. By using the precise amount of tape needed, they help cut costs and minimise excess material usage.
Strapping Machines
Strapping machines are essential for securing pallets, boxes, and bulky goods with minimal material waste. By applying just the right amount of strapping, they help reduce excess usage while maintaining strong and stable packaging. This not only improves efficiency and cost-effectiveness but also supports sustainability by cutting down on unnecessary plastic or polyester waste.
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EXS-303C Semi-Automatic Strapping Machine
£899.00 exc. VAT Add to basket -
Optimax® AFS900-12L Automatic Strapping Machine
£0.00 exc. VAT Add to basket -
Optimax AFS900-9 Automatic Strapping Machine
£0.00 exc. VAT Add to basket -
Optimax® TMS300 Semi-Automatic Strapping Machine
£0.00 exc. VAT Add to basket
5. Sustainability & Compliance Risks
Customers and regulators are increasingly prioritising sustainability, with more focus on how businesses manage their environmental footprint. As consumers become more environmentally conscious, they are actively seeking brands that demonstrate a commitment to sustainability. If your packaging is not eco-friendly or fails to meet industry standards, it could not only result in lost business opportunities but also harm your brand reputation. Customers may choose to take their business elsewhere if they perceive your packaging practices as wasteful or environmentally harmful.
In addition to customer preferences, regulators around the world are imposing stricter packaging regulations aimed at reducing waste and promoting sustainability.
To avoid such pitfalls and strengthen your position in the market, it’s essential to invest in sustainable packaging solutions. By choosing materials that are recyclable, biodegradable, or made from renewable resources, you can not only comply with regulatory requirements but also demonstrate your commitment to environmental stewardship. At Hub Packaging, we provide a range of eco-friendly packaging options that help businesses meet sustainability goals while enhancing their reputation and maintaining compliance with industry standards.
How to Fix It
Cardboard Boxes
Recycled cardboard boxes are a sustainable packaging solution that helps reduce waste by reusing materials and lowering the demand for virgin paper. Many are FSC-certified, ensuring they come from responsibly managed forests that support environmental conservation. By choosing recycled boxes, businesses can cut down on landfill waste and carbon emissions while maintaining packaging durability. This eco-friendly approach promotes a circular economy and helps protect natural resources for future generations.
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Single Wall Cardboard Box – 8 x 6 x 6.5
£13.50 – £864.00 exc. VAT Bundle of 25, Pallet of 1800Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
C4 Large Letter Postal Box (Royal Mail Approved)
£21.50 exc. VAT 50Add to basket -
A4 Double Wall Cardboard Box 12 x 9 x 12
£13.20 – £327.60 exc. VAT Bundle of 15, Pallet of 420Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
Hexcel Wrap
Hexcel wrap is an eco-friendly alternative to plastic bubble wrap, providing excellent cushioning while being fully recyclable and biodegradable. Its unique honeycomb structure expands to protect items, reducing the need for excess packaging materials. Made from sustainably sourced paper, Hexcel wrap helps minimise plastic waste and supports a greener supply chain. By using this innovative solution, businesses can improve packaging efficiency while reducing their environmental impact.
Tenzalopes
Tenzalopes are durable, self-adhesive document wallets that securely hold invoices and shipping labels, reducing the need for excess tape or plastic sleeves. Made from recyclable materials, they offer an eco-friendly alternative to traditional packaging solutions. Their strong adhesive ensures documents stay attached, preventing loss or damage and minimising reprints. By using Tenzalopes, businesses can streamline packaging while cutting down on wasted materials.
Water Activated Gummed Paper Tape
Water-Activated Gummed Paper Tape creates a strong, tamper-evident seal that bonds securely to cartons, reducing the need for multiple strips of tape. Made from recyclable, biodegradable materials, it provides an eco-friendly alternative to plastic tapes. Its superior adhesion reduces tape waste and ensures packages remain securely sealed in transit. By switching to gummed paper tape, businesses can cut down on excess packaging while improving sustainability.
Investing in the right packaging materials, automation, and optimisation strategies can prevent these hidden costs. A professional Hub Packaging audit can help identify inefficiencies and deliver long-term savings.
Want to avoid these pitfalls? Get in touch to see how we can help you optimise your packaging.
