EPR Guide - Flipbook - Page 45
Example 4: Logistics Company Using Transit Packaging
QuickShip Logistics runs a contract logistics operation for a large furniture
retailer. They receive products from the manufacturer, store them, and deliver
to stores. To protect items, QuickShip often puts goods on pallets and wraps
them in plastic stretch 昀椀lm, adding corner protectors, etc. All this is “transit
packaging.” Under EPR, QuickShip handles signi昀椀cant packaging, but because
it’s used upstream of the retail consumer, most of it counts as non-household
packaging. The retailer (obligated as a brand/seller) has asked QuickShip to
track how much packaging they add in distribution. QuickShip tallies that in
2025 they used 50t of pallet wrap and other materials. The retailer will include
that in its EPR data submission (as it’s the one putting goods ultimately to the market and has a
single point obligation). However, imagine QuickShip also provides an ecommerce service for the
same retailer, shipping some items directly to consumers, those shipping boxes and materials are
household packaging and likely QuickShip’s responsibility to report (or the retailer’s, depending on
contract). QuickShip must be agile in either role.
Outcome
They invest in a new wrapping machine that pre-stretches pallet 昀椀lm to use 15% less plastic for
the same job, a cost-saving and a future fee saving. They also switch to a recyclable alternative for
corner protectors that were previously not recyclable, avoiding Red classi昀椀cations. This scenario
shows a logistics 昀椀rm in a supporting role, but their actions can greatly in昀氀uence a client’s
compliance success. It’s also a reminder that transit packaging is not exempt; it’s just categorised
differently when reporting, but someone must account for it.
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