Planning and preparation are an important part of running a business. You need to make sure you have all the tools at your disposal to strike while the iron is hot.
That might mean placing an order for boxes that won’t be used immediately. So, how can you help extend their shelf life?
While we don’t recommend keeping them forever, we do have 10 tips for corrugated box storage conditions that make them last.
Do cardboard boxes expire?
First question, do cardboard boxes have expiration dates? Well, there is no specific timeline before cardboard becomes unsafe to use. Which means it doesn’t expire per se.
However, you could say that cardboard has a best before date – after which time it’s no longer in the best condition.
If stored correctly, most corrugated boxes can last for up to 12 months. Correct storage is key – you can’t leave boxes in a dusty corner and expect them to perform.
Many business owners don’t realise this when they are tempted by the cheaper bulk order rates. It often means down the line they end up with a bunch of unused boxes and wasted budgets.
We think it’s better to stock up when you need it – which is why we offer small runs at Echo Cartons. It’s just one way we help Australian SMEs to manage their packaging needs without blowing their budgets.
10 Tips for Storing Cardboard Boxes
There’s a difference between keeping stock low and stocking up at the last minute. We understand it’s a good idea to keep a few boxes in the back to avoid any packaging delays. Here’s what you should do with your extra boxes.
1. Find a cool, dry placeÂ
The most important tip is to keep cardboard in a cool and dry place.
Paper is a porous material, which means it loves absorbing moisture. Too much moisture can lead to cardboard breakage or mould, which means bye bye to your boxes.
Excess heat is another easy mistake to make. For example, placing a stack of boxes near your office heater. Most of the time, cardboard prefers to stay between 5° to 30° Celsius.
2. Avoid direct sunlight
Have you ever left something near your window and found that the colour faded over time? You can thank sunlight for that effect.
The same thing will happen if your boxes are exposed to direct sunlight. The printed inks will fade and your fresh, new boxes will be wasted.
3. Store them lying down
When space is limited, it’s tempting to find a tight corner and stand your boxes up – nice and out of the way. But, storing them vertically is likely to cause bends or breaks.
In particular, it can ruin the edges which means they don’t run through automated machines effectively or have trouble closing.
The best option is to store them lying down flat, which is the same way you received them.
4. Choose a smooth, clean surfaceÂ
Your floor may be flat, but it’s not the best place for your boxes either. You should find a smooth, clean surface such as a shelving unit or pallet.
5. Keep them in a room you use often
Out of sight, out of mind is a saying for a reason. Once you pack your boxes away, you can’t keep an eye on their condition.
If possible, store them in a room you use often – such as your office or the dispatch centre.
This way, if you notice any issues, you can intervene quickly and save a whole batch of packaging from going to waste.Â
6. Follow first in, first outÂ
There’s a reason that the first product on grocery shelves is usually expiring soon – they follow first in, first out.
This simple method is used to ensure adequate stock rotation and reduce waste. The basic premise is to keep your oldest stock on top, so that it is used first.
There are lots of ways to do this. You could write down when each packaging order was received and use the dates as priority.
If you only have a small stack, you could place new orders beneath older ones to ensure the top of the pile is always oldest.
7. Do a quality check before packing
If you know that your packaging has been sitting around for a while, it’s a good idea to perform some quality checks before you commit to using it. For example:
- Test its strength by placing a product inside and simulating delivery with a light drop, shake or bump
- Give each box a good once over for any moisture or mould
- Check that the printing is legible and hasn’t faded
8. No heavy items on top
Heavy weight on top of your box stack can crush the flute, which means your boxes will be weaker when you go to use them. To prevent this, avoid sitting or standing on your boxes, and don’t place heavy items on top.
9. Replace after 1 year
Dusty cardboard and faded inks are hardly a premium experience for your customer. If you’ve had boxes stored for more than 12 months, we recommend replacing them.
Recycling them is a good option, so they can be remade into more materials. You could also use old packaging for general storage purposes such as your business files and stationery.
10. Talk to your manufacturer
Like we said earlier, we don’t really believe in storing packaging for a long time. It puts the quality of your boxes at risk which could be disastrous for the products that are packed inside.
If you are planning to keep your boxes in storage, it can help to chat with your manufacturer about this plan. Not only can they help you design a box suited for storage, they can also advise on other options like creating a budget-friendly restock schedule.
Supporting SMEs with cost-effective packaging
With more than two decades of experience in corrugated box manufacturing, Echo Cartons are industry experts. You can find all kinds of great packaging advice on the blog. If you have another question, simply contact our team. Or if you’re ready to kickstart a packaging order – you can request a quote.