TOTE BOX INFORMATION GUIDE

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COST COMPARISON
For the sake of an example, let's compare the "cost per use" of two typical containers. Applying all the factors listed below to the "use" situation, we can compare the "use" cost of a paperboard container with a thermoplastic container as follows:

In this example, it is notable that the total "cost per use" of a thermoplastic tote box, that you can recycle/ is less than half of just the /'hidden cost" of a disposable paperboard box alone. This is not uncommon. Many users have replaced /'free/' boxes (shipping cartons from suppliers) with thermoplastic containers and achieved demonstrable savings.

One more word about costs: even a medium sized manufacturing operation can utilize thousands of tote boxes, once they become established as a handling module. Since uniformity is usually beneficial, most users tend to standardize on the first type of box purchased. Therefore, the first purchase is very important. Not only must you establish which box or system will be most efficient, you must also guard against making a box material decision based on price alone. An arbitrary decision could result in thousands of dollars in extra costs due to an unfavorable "use" factor.

a) $30.00 per requisition and purchase order; purchased in 1M lots
b) l000, crushed but not compacted, will occupy approximately 2/3 of refuse container which costs $30.00 per pickup, or 02/box Equal amount to get box from point of discard to container
c) Crushed to greater bulk than paperboard
d) Failure rate est 1:l000: cost per failure, in terms of damage and cleanup, est $20.00 e) 25 production cycles per year for 3 years

MATERIALS
Tote boxes are made from many different kinds of materials, each having advantages and disadvantages as follows:

Paperboard: Inexpensive, most suitable for slow turnover storage applications because of low initial cost. Wears quickly with resultant contamination problems from chaff. Does not withstand effects of acid. Deteriorates when exposed to oil or moisture.

Metal: Rigidity and strength offer extended life advantages. More expensive than paperboard, dents easily. If painted, boxes tend to chip, can rust, and create contamination problems. Sharp edges may be a hazard Weight of larger containers may restrict "hand load" capacity

Glass Fiber: Offers good strength and rigidity. Easily cleaned, little maintenance required in normal use. Abuse may cause chipping and cracking which can contaminate contents. May cause rash and skin irritation to workers.

Wood: Major advantages: easy to fabricate "in house" for specialized uses. Strong and rigid. Expensive to fabricate, highly absorbent without protective finish. Splinters present hazard to workers, can contaminate parts.

Pressed and impregnated fiber: Good for many light to moderate-duty storage and handling functions due to low initial cost and maintenance. Moisture and oil resistance, while much better than paperboard, is rarely sufficient for extended exposure. Generally low impact strength, subject to particulation and failure in rough use. Usually unsuitable for in-process parts handling due to rough and/or sharp surfaces.

Thermoplastics: As in other categories, quality can vary widely depending on what type of material is used. Thermoplastics range in cost from pennies to several dollars a pound. They are light-weight, moisture resistant, non-particulating, and require no maintenance. By type, styrene, polyethylene, polypropylene, and ABS are most commonly used.