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Things to Consider When Buying Packaging
Things to Consider When Buying Packaging
Choosing packaging isn’t just about price. Discover five key factors to consider, from product protection and delivery times to recyclability and stockholding.
Choosing the right packaging is about much more than finding the lowest price. The packaging you buy can affect product protection, warehouse efficiency, customer satisfaction and even your compliance with Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) legislation.
While it can be tempting to focus solely on the cost of a cardboard box, pallet wrap or packing tape, the cheapest option isn’t always the most cost-effective. Factors such as availability, sustainability and long-term supply should all play a part in your decision.
Whether you’re reviewing your current supplier or sourcing packaging for a new product, these are five important considerations that can help you make a more informed choice.
The best packaging solution balances protection, availability, sustainability and cost. Looking beyond the purchase price can help businesses reduce waste, improve efficiency and avoid unexpected costs.
Will It Protect Your Products?
The primary job of any packaging is to protect the product inside.
A thin cardboard box, lighter stretch film or lower-grade packing tape may reduce your purchasing costs, but if it leads to damaged goods, customer complaints or costly returns, it could end up costing far more in the long run.
When reviewing packaging, consider how well it protects your products throughout storage, handling and transport. The right solution should minimise movement, reduce the risk of damage and arrive with your customer in the same condition it left your warehouse.
A packaging review can often identify opportunities to reduce material usage without compromising product protection, helping businesses save money while maintaining performance.
How Quickly Can Your Supplier Deliver?
Reliable supply is just as important as the packaging itself.
Many businesses choose highly specialised packaging without considering lead times. If your supplier needs several weeks to manufacture or source replacement stock, running low could quickly become a serious operational problem.
Choosing a supplier with strong stock availability and reliable next day delivery can help reduce this risk.
Springpack offers next working day delivery as standard on stocked products, helping businesses replenish essential packaging quickly when demand changes.
Behind the scenes, we utilise inventory optimisation software from Slimstock to forecast demand and manage stock levels effectively. This helps ensure popular packaging products remain available when customers need them, reducing the likelihood of stock shortages.
Could Stockholding Save You Time and Money?
Many businesses assume bespoke packaging always requires them to hold large amounts of stock themselves.
In reality, supplier stockholding can provide the benefits of bulk purchasing without taking up valuable warehouse space.
Springpack offers stockholding and call-off agreements for bespoke packaging. Customers can order larger production quantities to benefit from price breaks, while Springpack stores the stock and delivers it in smaller call-offs as required.
As stock levels reduce, Springpack monitors availability and provides advance notice when it’s time to reorder, helping you avoid unexpected stock outages while maintaining continuity of supply.
This approach allows our customers to benefit from improved pricing without committing additional warehouse space or tying up unnecessary resources.
Can Your Supplier Help with Packaging Waste Reporting?
Since the introduction of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), many UK businesses have additional responsibilities for collecting and reporting packaging data.
Choosing a supplier that understands packaging EPR, packaging waste regulations and environmental compliance can make reporting significantly easier.
Accurate packaging information can support compliance reporting, help businesses understand the materials they are placing on the market and contribute towards wider sustainability objectives.
When selecting a packaging supplier, it’s worth asking what information they can provide to support your reporting requirements.
How Recyclable Is Your Packaging?
The purchase price is only one part of the overall cost of packaging. If packaging is difficult to recycle, contains unnecessary materials or doesn’t support your sustainability goals, there may be hidden costs that aren’t immediately obvious.
Increasingly, businesses are reviewing their packaging through the lens of recyclability, resource efficiency and the wider packaging lifecycle.
A recyclability assessment can help identify whether packaging can be simplified, redesigned or replaced with materials that are easier to recycle while maintaining product protection.
Springpack’s Packaging Review considers sustainability alongside cost and performance, helping businesses identify packaging solutions that support operational efficiency, reduce waste and meet environmental objectives without compromising quality.
Buying packaging isn't simply about comparing prices.
A good packaging supplier should help you improve efficiency, maintain product protection and prepare for future legislation while ensuring essential products remain available when you need them.
Whether that's reliable next working day delivery, supplier stockholding, assistance with EPR compliance, or expert advice through a Packaging Review, Springpack can add value far beyond the products we supply.
The packaging you choose has a direct impact on your business, your customers and your bottom line.
By considering product protection, supplier reliability, stockholding options, waste reporting and recyclability before making a purchase, businesses can reduce hidden costs and build a more resilient packaging strategy.
If you’re reviewing your current packaging, a Springpack Packaging Review can help identify opportunities to improve efficiency, reduce waste and ensure you’re using the most suitable packaging solution for your products.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I consider when buying packaging?
Consider product protection, delivery lead times, stock availability, sustainability, recyclability and whether your supplier can support your reporting and compliance requirements.
Why isn't the cheapest packaging always the best option?
Lower-cost packaging may increase product damage, returns and packing inefficiencies, leading to higher overall costs.
What is a stockholding agreement?
A stockholding agreement allows your supplier to hold agreed quantities of packaging and deliver stock as required, helping improve availability while reducing the amount of storage space you need.
Why is recyclability important when choosing packaging?
Choosing packaging that is easier to recycle can help reduce waste, support sustainability goals and contribute towards compliance with Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) requirements.
What is a Packaging Review?
A Packaging Review assesses your current packaging to identify opportunities to improve protection, reduce costs, increase efficiency and support sustainability objectives.
If you are interested in Packaging, Springpack are experts in the field. Our team of Packaging Experts have all of the answers to your packaging questions. Why not get in touch with us today?