Waste Minimization Guidance Documents

G1: Source parts, modules, and other products using returnable packaging.

G2: Build sustainable packaging requirements into part and product sourcing documents.

G4: Reusing LDPE plastic bags.

G5: Material repurposing options for use within building industry.

G6: Incorporate bio based materials into product applications.

G7: Material repurposing options for use within building industry.

G10: Methods to eliminate waste stream contamination.

G11: Proactively addressing package designs that have incompatible materials for recycling

G12: Separating contaminated corrugate from clean corrugate.

G17: Bailing material to improve continued use options.

G18: Increase material value by ensuring availability of necessary bailing infrastructure.

G19: How to leverage shredding and baling processes to increase material value

G20: Changing suppliers to accomplish sustainability initiatives

G23: Reusing containers in manufacturing operations to reduce plant costs and waste.

G24: Returning portions of containers to suppliers for reuse, financial credits and other benefits

G26: Building holistic business cases

G25: Donate or sell obsolete or gently used corrugate containers to local companies or NGOs for reuse

G27: Sending corrugate loads directly to a Mill to increase value.

G36: Leveraging information security systems to increasing second use applications for items containing sensitive company information.

G41: Send contaminated material to a waste-to-energy option.

G43: Second-life uses for your corrugate material in the building industry

G46: Exploring external re-use options for your post-industrial materials.

G47: How sending corrugate directly to a corrugate mill can increase revenue for your company.

G49: Importance of verifying whether your material can be recycled according to National, State, and local requirements.

G50: Material processing options that can improve transportation efficiency and increase value.

G51: Achieving product security through several material processing options.

G53: How plastic materials can be repurposed for use in the building industry.

G54: Wildlife habitat initiatives using plastic packaging materials.

G55: How reusing shipping materials can help your company achieve sustainability goals.

G58: Repurposing plastic packaging containers for local urban farming initiatives.

G60: How sending your plastic material directly to a compounder can increase the value of your material.

G68: Finding manufacturers for material reuse as an alternative to recycling.

G73: Repurpose plastic bottles to enhance wetland and other water way ecosystems for wildlife, infrastructure protection and severe weather damage mitigation.

G74: Recycling plastic packaging shipping aids into baffles, conduits, and other functional black plastic applications

G75: Plastic packaging corrugate can be repurposed into nature-based solutions such as beehive media.

G76: Substituting nylon component material with PET resin

G77: Reutilizing obsolete expanded polypropylene (EPP) foam containers

G78: Repurposing polyurethane convoluted (egg carton) style and other flexible foam packaging

G81: Combining two or more waste streams to create a product of value

G84: Reprocessing Vehicle Seating Protective Film into New Seating Film

G93: Reusing Scrap Polyurethane Foam in the Manufacture of New Foam Products

G96: Avoiding User of Glued Foams to Increase Recycling, Reuse and Repurposing Opportunities

G98: Sourcing Paper Bags for Increased Reuse, Compost and Recycling Opportunities

G99: Using Corrugate or Cardboard Sheet Separators to Reduce Waste

G101: Design bulk container dunnage to allow for multiple uses and dunnage pooling

G103: Using Vacuum Thermoformed HDPE Dunnage Spacers inside Returnable Totes for Parts that Might

G104: Repurposing Wood for Use in the Building Industry through Local Construction Companies

G110: treated Pallets Instead of Pallets Treated with Methyl Bromide when Repurposing Pallets.

G111: Repurposing Smooth Wood to Enable Ease of Use

G112: Using Pallet Recyclers to Rebuild Pallets for Reuse or Total Waste Reduction

G114: Replacing Wood Packages or Portions of Wood Packages with Corrugated Parts

G115: Using Corrugate in Place of Wood Alternatives

G118: Donate Wood Packaging and Other Scrap Wood to High Schools and Skill Centers for Student Education

G121: Using Pallet Manufacturers Pallet Banking Program

G122: Enlisting Suppliers to Reduce or Eliminate the Use of Difficult to Use Materials

G130: Repurposing/Reusing Small Packaging Wood Pieces for Construction Applications (Trim, Shims, Spacers, Etc.)

G131: Reusing Cradles and/or Designing Cradles with Different Materials (Wood, Corrugate and Plastic)

G132: Working with Suppliers to Have Packaging Easy to Breakdown for Efficient Material Management

G135: Exploring Options with Local Schools to Receive the Wood for Carpentry Education

G136: Working with local NGOs to receive your materials for second

G137: Utilizing your employees to receive sheeting for personal projects

G138: Working with local carpenters to receive your materials for second-life use after sheeting separation

G140: Repurposing Materials in Mini Home Building Applications to Address Homelessness in the Veteran

G147: Using Biobased Packing Peanuts that can be Composted or Dissolved in Water to Eliminate Plastic

G156: Recycling single use manufacturing scrap plastic into pallets and containers

G157: In plant material processing options that can improve transportation efficiency and increase value

G158: Returning non-conforming parts to suppliers

*Guidance Documents not to be reused or redistributed.

This content has been curated by ERA Scientists and is only to be used as an academic resource.

To access any of the above documents:

Click on your desired Guidance Document
Fill out your name and email on the Form page that appears
Check your email to view and download your copy of the Guidance Document