5 tips for better organizing company shipments

Paper is increasingly at the center of the Food and Beverage sector due to its intrinsic characteristics. This material, in fact, can define a natural, biodegradable and recyclable product. All these features are perfect for cellulose-based packaging to be used in contact with food. In the next paragraphs we will evaluate the consequences related to the use of packaging with respect to food waste, especially given the increase in sales from e-commerce and food delivery. Food waste in a pandemic: the numbers Food waste is still one of the most common problems related to the welfare society. An estimated 3,624,973 tons of food were wasted in 2020. However, despite the boom in e-commerce and food delivery, there is a decrease of 11% nationally, given by Waste Watchers 2021 on the occasion of the eighth day against food waste. The greater awareness has led the consumer to implement strategies that also involve packaging, which today becomes a faithful ally in the fight against waste. Paper and cardboard in the consideration of consumers Paper and cardboard play a fundamental role in the preferences of Italians because they combine safety and sustainability. The Waste Watchers report we cited earlier demonstrated how our fellow citizens have implemented strategies that have helped limit food waste. The situation of uncertainty and the restrictions imposed on circulation have changed spending habits with more prudent and conscious choices, including that of favoring efficient and sustainable packaging. Packaging of paper and cardboard: how innovation allows the transport and storage of food The paper industry sector has always worked to develop innovative products, so that increasingly high-performance solutions can be obtained that offer safety and sustainability performance. This concept led to a study conducted by Comieco, the National Consortium for the Recovery and Recycling of Cellulose-Based Packaging, and by the Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna of Pisa. The study showed that innovative materials such as nanocellulose offer perfect preservation guarantees and a high degree of recyclability. These features allow for great application possibilities. The food packaging scenario, based on the goals achieved, is destined to change and transform itself in an increasingly sustainable and circular perspective. In particular, at the heart of the development of new solutions is the series of products for food delivery. This segment has experienced a boom in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic. This impulse has accelerated already evolving processes and encouraged the realization of new projects. From doggy bags to pizza cartons, passing through food bags, paper and cardboard are confirmed in first place in consumer preferences. According to a study by Two Sides, Packaging in the eyes of the European consumer, 2020, paper and cardboard are confirmed the top choice of European consumers: the latter have declared that they absolutely prefer this material for its sustainability and ease of recycling. CART-ONE, thanks to the experience and know-how consolidated over time, is your trusted partner for the production of customized packaging for the Food sector. Discover our innovative proposals for sustainable cardboard packaging.

2025 is shaping up to be a crucial year for companies seeking to improve operational efficiency and control costs, particularly in a context of financial uncertainty and increasing competitive pressure. Packaging cost optimization is becoming a strategic lever, capable of positively influencing not only business performance but also customer satisfaction and environmental impact. Packaging Cost Optimization 2025: Strategies for Efficiency, Sustainability, and Cost Savings. With Cart-One, packaging becomes a true business asset, combining technology, sustainability, and innovation to deliver tangible results. Read also: “Packaging, Sustainability, and the Role of the Responsible Consumer: A Global Challenge” Why Packaging Cost Optimization Is Essential In today’s landscape, characterized by constantly evolving markets and increasingly stringent regulations, companies must review their packaging processes to avoid costly waste and inefficiencies. Poorly designed packaging can result in: Product damage during transportation, leading to returns and additional costs. Higher storage expenses caused by excessive packaging materials. A negative environmental impact that increases disposal costs and regulatory taxes. Investing in efficient packaging processes not only helps reduce operating costs but also improves customer perception of the product while contributing to a more sustainable future. Key Strategies for Packaging Optimization in 2025 1. Material Reduction and Efficient Resource Use A key factor in controlling costs is the careful selection of packaging materials. Choosing the right materials and dimensions helps reduce waste and enables companies to: Reduce the amount of material required, lowering procurement costs. Cut storage expenses through leaner and more efficient inventory management. Limit disposal costs, as using less material generally results in lower fees under industry regulations. With Cart-One, businesses can adopt optimized material solutions designed to provide maximum product protection while minimizing resource consumption. 2. End-of-Line Optimization and Process Automation The final stage of packaging, known as the “end-of-line” process, is one of the most critical operational areas. An efficient packaging system that incorporates automation offers numerous benefits: Speed and productivity: automated systems reduce processing times and increase production capacity. Error reduction: automating manual operations minimizes mistakes and ensures greater packaging accuracy. Load optimization: well-designed packaging maximizes space utilization, reducing transportation costs and improving volumetric efficiency. Cart-One supports end-of-line optimization through customized solutions that integrate manual, semi-automatic, and fully automated systems, helping companies handle production peaks without relying on temporary staff. 3. Product Protection and Reduced Transport Damage Effective packaging must provide maximum product protection, especially for fragile items or products sensitive to temperature fluctuations. Inadequate packaging can lead to costly damage and lower perceived product quality. To address these challenges, companies can implement: Temperature and impact indicators: tools capable of monitoring transportation conditions in real time and reporting anomalies, allowing prompt corrective action. Protection-oriented packaging design: the use of materials and structures that absorb shocks and reduce the risk of damage during handling and transportation. Cart-One’s solutions ensure that every package provides optimal protection, guaranteeing that products arrive at their destination in perfect condition. 4. Optimized Order and Material Management Effective packaging material order management is essential for avoiding waste and unnecessary costs. Bulk purchasing strategies often generate excess inventory, tying up company liquidity and occupying valuable warehouse space. To optimize this aspect, companies should: Plan orders according to actual production requirements. Partner with reliable suppliers offering just-in-time solutions, ensuring a continuous and properly calibrated supply. Constantly monitor inventory levels to minimize the risk of unnecessary stock accumulation. Cart-One provides comprehensive support in order management, helping businesses align supplies with production needs and reduce warehousing costs. Sustainable Packaging: A Benefit for Both Business and the Environment Beyond economic benefits, packaging optimization has a positive impact on environmental sustainability. By reducing material usage and improving packaging design, companies can achieve: Lower CO₂ emissions: more compact and efficient packaging reduces transportation space requirements, lowering both costs and environmental impact. Improved recyclability: the use of recycled or 100% recyclable materials facilitates disposal and supports a circular economy model. Operational efficiency: reduced packaging times and automated processes lead to better resource management and a lower environmental footprint. At a time when consumers are increasingly attentive to environmental issues, sustainable packaging has become an important differentiator, strengthening brand reputation. 2025 represents a year of both challenges and opportunities for companies looking to optimize packaging costs. Improving packaging processes, reducing material usage, automating end-of-line operations, and ensuring adequate product protection are essential steps for controlling operating expenses, increasing efficiency, and promoting environmental sustainability. Cart-One is the ideal partner to support you on this journey, offering customized, eco-friendly, and innovative packaging solutions. Investing in a packaging cost optimization strategy not only improves business performance but also contributes to a more responsible and sustainable future for everyone. Contact us today to discover how our solutions can make a difference for your business. You may also be interested in: “Towards Decarbonization: The Italian Paper Industry and the Challenges of the Green Transition”

Packaging is increasingly at the center of consumer choices, even in the food sector. The concern, in fact, is to have containers and packaging that not only effectively protect food, but that are also sustainable. The luck of a product on the shelves, therefore, is even more linked to the packaging, intended as a mix of materials and design from an Eco-design perspective, which allows to obtain the minimization of the packaging for a maximum yield in terms of conservation and freshness of the food. For an industry in the Food sector, not taking into account the new consumer orientations means leaving the market. What is changing in the habits of Italians and how consumer attitudes affect packaging? Italians are increasingly attentive to sustainability, including in the food sector. Consumption is in fact oriented to the deepening of the supply chain and therefore also of the packaging. According to the statistics that emerged from the 2021 edition of the Packaging Observatory of Largo Consumo created by Nomisma in collaboration with SpinLife of the University of Padua, it turned out that 33% of the Italians interviewed showed a greater propensity to assign a primary role to the environment in everyday choices. According to the findings, 65% of respondents prefer products with little packaging. 59% have purchasing habits that direct them towards products with sustainable packaging. 57% of respondents admit they are reducing the purchase of products with non-recycled plastic packaging. What will be the future of packaging in Italy? Sustainable packaging is also becoming an opportunity for consumers to assess the environmental impact of a brand. We know, in fact, that the packaging can be evocative and identifying the product, to the point of transmitting its values ​​only and exclusively through the sight of the package. In this sense, many brands are making efforts through targeted investments to research technologies that reduce the environmental impact of their business and work, at the same time, on the sustainability of packaging. On the other hand, such investments and improvements can cause increases compared to the price of a product. There is therefore still work to be done to give sustainable packaging the right importance in the perception of the consumer, especially as regards communicating the benefits that such actions can have on the environment and on improving the quality of life. CART-ONE, a company specializing in corrugated cardboard packaging, has always been at the forefront to help its partners in the creation of sustainable and recyclable packaging, with an enhancement in the supply chain of recycled raw materials and with a zero waste approach through the recovery of production waste.