product . Finally , end of life recyclability needs to be considered , as paper is the most commonly recycled item .

Why Choose Vendors that Choose Right-Size Packaging Right-size packaging is more environmentally friendly than traditional packaging processes and it makes smart business sense . “ Right-size packaging is a tangible action that companies can take to reduce their carbon footprint , reduce waste , and progress toward their sustainability goals ,” Leitner says . Companies like Medline are starting to implement rightsize packaging technology as a potential means to reduce its carbon footprint . The U . S . Environmental Protection Agency describes Scope 3 emissions , also known as the Corporate Value Chain Accounting and Reporting Standard , as , “ the result of activities from assets not owned or controlled by the reporting organization , but that the organization indirectly affects in its value chain .” 5

Facilities that have historically focused on measuring emissions from internal operations and consumption are beginning to view Scope 3 emissions data as an opportunity to broaden their sustainability success .

Typical box is

too large for its contents

“ A lot of hospitals are looking to reduce their supply chain emissions ,” notes Medline Director of Sustainability Jim Burgess . “ Right-size packaging is one of the ways that they can achieve that in a material way .”

Fewer Trucks on the Road On top of its 20-plus years of supply chain automation , Medline has begun to implement rightsize packaging technologies with the intention of helping its customers reach their Scope 3 emissions goals by packing products in more sustainable ways .

Considering how much larger

Right-size packaging has been launched in several ways at Medline ’ s largest distribution facility in Grayslake , Illinois . Machines by eco-friendly packaging company RanPak use cartonization logic to prompt Medline employees to select the smallest tray and lid , minimizing the amount of cardboard and void material . Medline is measuring cardboard reduction and improved trailer utilization , as well as plastic usage reduction , “ because this specific technology takes all of the void or all of the air out of the package , and it shrinks it down to the size of the order ,” says Travis Marks , director of engineering , Medline .

a typical box is than it needs to be , it ’ s easy to see how right-size packages create more space in a truck for more product and therefore less stress on transportation needs . One study estimates that better use of truck space would result in 24 million fewer truckloads per year , 2 reducing greenhouse gas emissions due to transportation ,

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