Packaging surpluses – how to use or sell them effectively? Practical ways to minimize losses

Packaging surpluses – what they are and where they come from?

Packaging surpluses are simply containers and boxes left unused during a given season. They often remain in storage, occupying valuable space and generating additional costs. In practice, they may slow down operations and hinder business growth.

The reasons for surpluses vary. Most often they result from inaccurate demand forecasts, but they can also stem from supply chain disruptions or inefficient inventory management.

Selling packaging surpluses independently – is it profitable?

One way to limit losses and deal with packaging surpluses is to sell them independently. This approach, however, is time-consuming and requires a thorough inventory to determine the exact number, condition, and value of the items. Generating profit this way is challenging, and it rarely results in fast warehouse clearance.

Selling surplus packaging to a buy-back company – an alternative to independent sales

If you prefer not to handle surplus sales on your own, you can delegate this process to a company specializing in buy-back services for unused goods. Another option is to work with an industry wholesaler. Such businesses often provide professional valuation and arrange collection with their own transport.

Selling surplus packaging through a buy-back company can be beneficial both for businesses left with excess containers and for packaging producers with ongoing surplus stock. This approach helps minimize losses, recover part of the financial outlay, and free up warehouse space

Upcycling – a creative way to reuse surplus packaging

In some cases, surplus bottles and boxes stored in warehouses have little chance of finding buyers. To avoid keeping them for too long, it may be worth considering creative reuse. Giving unused items a second life, known as upcycling, is a concept gaining more and more popularity. What does it actually mean?

Upcycling is the process of transforming old objects into new, functional, and often visually appealing items. Unlike recycling, it not only extends the life of materials through reuse but also creates new products that can be even more attractive.

What can be done with surplus packaging? Glass bottles can easily become vases, candle holders, or even soap dispensers. Plastic boxes and containers can be repurposed for storing small items like pens and pencils. They can also be turned into coasters, brush holders, or decorative bowls.

How to prevent packaging surpluses?

There are many ways to deal with packaging left in storage, but the most effective solution is prevention. The risk of surpluses can be reduced by implementing modern IT systems, monitoring data from customers and suppliers, and streamlining procurement and inventory processes. Each company should choose solutions tailored to its business profile, taking into account both product characteristics and sales seasonality.