Plastic crates & totes

What it is

Reusable crates and totes are rigid plastic containers designed to carry goods many times. They come in standard footprints that fit neatly on pallets, shelves, and conveyors, and many nest inside each other when empty to save space on the return trip.

How it works

• Goods are packed into standard-size crates at the point of origin.
• Crates are stacked on pallets or roll cages and shipped to the destination.
• After unloading, empty crates are nested or stacked and sent back.
• Crates are cleaned if needed and reused for the next shipment.

Operational benefits

• No time spent building, taping, or breaking down cardboard boxes.
• Uniform sizes make stacking, picking, and counting faster.
• Rigid walls better protect products from crushing.
• Work well with conveyors and automated warehouse systems.
• Reduce packaging waste that needs to be disposed of.

Who needs it?

• Retailers moving stock between distribution centres and stores.
• Food and fresh produce distributors.
• Manufacturers moving parts between plants and suppliers.
• E-commerce warehouses with automated picking.

When to use it

• You ship similar products along the same routes regularly.
• You can collect or return empty containers economically.
• Cardboard handling is slowing down receiving or picking.

Important considerations

• Higher upfront cost per unit than cardboard.
• You need a plan for returning and cleaning empties.