Why Reusable Display Bins Are the Smart Choice Over Cardboard Under New EU PPWR Regulations

With the new EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulations (PPWR) and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) laws emphasising reuse, businesses must rethink their packaging and display strategies. This is vital for compliance with new regulations, but it’s also an important way for retail businesses to drive sustainability and efficiency across their supply chain.   

In this blog, we’ll explore the key advantages of reusable plastic display bins over single-use cardboard packaging bins for retailers, including increased sustainability, improved operational efficiency, and lower costs.  

Why Single-Use Display Bins Fall Short of PPWR Compliance 

Display bins are vital for retailers, boosting sales and making products accessible and appealing. While single-use options like cardboard bins may seem convenient at first, they come with several hidden costs and inefficiencies that make them a poor choice for retailers, especially in light of the new EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulations (PPWR). 

These issues include: 

• Lack of Standardisation and Compatibility: Cardboard bins come in various sizes and shapes from different suppliers, leading to inefficiencies in restocking and disposal. This not only complicates logistics but also drives up costs for retailers. 

• Increased In-Store Handling: Single-use cardboard display bins often require extra set-up and merchandising time, resulting in additional handling by employees. This increases labour costs and reduces overall store efficiency. 

• Replacement Costs: The disposable nature of cardboard bins means they require frequent repurchasing and replacement. This leads to higher ongoing costs and generates significant waste, directly conflicting with PPWR’s goal to reduce packaging waste. 

• Product Damage: Cardboard display bins are not robust, leading to higher instances of product damage. This not only increases food waste and associated costs but also reflects poorly on a retailer’s commitment to sustainability. 

These drawbacks show that single-use cardboard bins are both inefficient and misaligned with PPWR goals. By failing to reduce packaging and waste, they pose compliance risks and can lead to higher costs and operational challenges. For retailers aiming to meet PPWR standards and boost sustainability, moving away from single-use cardboard bins is essential. 

The Advantages of Reusable Plastic Display Bins 

Here are the benefits: 

• Retail-Ready Design: Tosca’s bins are designed for quick and easy replenishment, reducing merchandising time. Their flexible design adapts easily to available in-store space, saving time and labour costs for retailers. 

• Superior Product Protection: Made from high-strength plastic, these bins offer far better protection for products compared to cardboard alternatives. This durability reduces product damage and waste, directly supporting PPWR’s goals of reducing packaging waste and improving sustainability. 

• Lower Transport and Storage Costs: Unlike single-use cardboard or rigid bins, Tosca’s reusable plastic display bins are foldable and nestable, optimising reverse logistics. This allows more empty bins to fit into a standard truck, significantly cutting down on storage and transport costs, which aligning with PPWR. 

• Reusability: Tosca’s reusable plastic bins align with the PPWR’s focus on reusability within the waste hierarchy, as they are designed to be used multiple times.  

• Pooling options: Pooling with Tosca aligns perfectly with the PPWR, as it supports a circular economy by maximising shared resource efficiency and reducing waste within the supply chain, enhancing sustainability and regulatory compliance. 

By choosing Tosca’s reusable plastic bins, retailers not only enhance their operational efficiency and product presentation but also ensure full compliance with the PPWR regulations. 

Long-Term Cost Savings and ROI with Reusable Bins 

Of course, regulatory compliance is essential for retailers, but it’s equally important to focus on the bottom line. Beyond meeting the requirements of the PPWR, reusable plastic display bins offer significant long-term cost savings that can positively impact a retailer’s financial health. While the initial investment in reusable bins might be higher than single-use cardboard options, the return on investment (ROI) is significant.  

Here’s how: 

Reduced Replacement Costs: Unlike disposable cardboard bins that require frequent repurchasing, durable reusable plastic bins significantly lower ongoing costs and minimise supply chain interruptions. 

Lower Waste Disposal Costs: Single-use cardboard bins lead to regular waste disposal expenses. Reusable bins, however, generate far less waste, reducing waste management costs throughout the supply chain. 

Improved Inventory Management: The durability of reusable display bins decrease product damage and loss, resulting in better product quality, less waste and improved stock availability, ultimately saving costs and boosting customer satisfaction. 

Enhanced Brand Image: Using reusable bins shows a commitment to sustainability, enhancing brand reputation and customer loyalty. In an eco-conscious market, this can drive higher sales and long-term growth. 

By choosing Tosca’s reusable plastic bins in a pooling model, retailers can achieve substantial cost savings while reducing environmental impact, making it the smarter choice.  

Conclusion 

The new EU PPWR regulations highlight the importance of reuse in packaging, making it more relevant than ever for suppliers and retailers to consider switching to reusable display bins. Tosca’s reusable, foldable plastic bins offer a more efficient, cost-effective, and sustainable solution compared to traditional single-use packaging such as cardboard or display bin options. 

To find out more about how reusable plastic packaging, and reusable display bins can help your business comply with the PPWR laws, download our free whitepaper, Navigating the Future: A Guide to EU Packaging Related Regulations.