Prepare your packing operation for 2025
As 2024 comes to an end, there’s no better time to think about what you could do differently to improve your packing operation in the new year.
If you’ve been considering a change or found what worked in the past isn’t working for you anymore, we’ve assembled a list of 12 things you could do to make sure your packing operation runs as smoothly as possible in 2025.
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January – Book your CO2 and cost reduction review
Start the year by reviewing your CO2 emissions and efforts towards sustainability. A packaging health check can help you lower operational costs, improve sustainability and tackle challenges, like labour shortage, rising material costs and more efficient use of your transportation fleet. All this with the environment in mind.
A free, no-obligation, packaging review is a great way to gain a deeper insight into your packaging operations and pinpoint key areas for cost savings, including:
- Storage
- Transport
- Damages and returns
- Administration
- Productivity
- Customer experience
- Sustainability and Expended Producer Responsibility (EPR) fees
For more information on how we can help you reduce costs with the right packaging, check out our blog post: How to reduce business costs through packaging optimisation. It’s important to note that EPR fees for packaging introduced to the market in 2024 will start in October 2025, which could represent a significant additional expense for some businesses. Therefore, identifying ways to reduce these costs early will help mitigate the impact and prevent last-minute stress.
February – Consider packaging automation
Have you ever thought about automating your packing processes but never got around to it?
Don’t worry, you don’t have to go big. A few simple changes, like introducing electronic paper tape, automatic paper void fills or air pillows, can make all the difference in terms of cost savings and increased productivity.
If you’re looking for a more long-term solution, you can also consider fully automated and integrated auto boxing and bagging systems.
Packaging automation can help you save money, free up your employees to do other tasks, reduce material waste, improve packing consistency and reduce packing time.
If you’re still not sure if this is right for you, check out our blog post: Packaging automation: a quick guide.
March – Enhance customer experience
The right packaging will help deliver a memorable unboxing experience for your customers.
A great ecommerce pack should offer maximum product protection, be easy to open and return as well as provide the right fit for your products. It should also be lightweight, space efficient and made from sustainable materials.
All this will help reduce your packaging costs by minimising damages, reducing material waste and optimising space on your delivery vehicles. This in turn will help ensure fewer journeys and reduced CO2 emissions.
Consider personalising your packaging, add luxury touches, such as tissue or shredded paper, inside your pack or include in-box offers for enhanced engagement. To learn more about unboxing experience and why it’s important, read at our blog article: Unpacking the results from our 2024 Unboxing Survey.
April – Meet the Extended Producer Responsibility deadline
If you’re responsible for reporting your packaging usage under the new EPR legislation, make sure you submit your data by 1st April 2025.
This applies to both small businesses as well as large organisations reporting for the period of July to December 2024.
The regulation will apply to all UK organisations that handle and supply packaging to customers and businesses, including those selling pre-packaged products into the market and meet specific conditions.
For more information about EPR, why it has been introduced and whether it applies to your business, read our blog post: 3 ways your businesses should be preparing for Extended Producer Responsibility fees.
May – Switch to sustainable packaging
Whether you’re looking to reduce plastic in your packing process or thinking about products made from eco-friendly materials, there are plenty of options out there for you to choose from.
Using packaging solutions that contain recycled content, are reusable or recyclable helps reduce your material waste and lower your carbon emissions. Take a look at our blog post 6 sustainable packaging switches: a guide for eco-conscious businesses to help you limit your impact on the environment.
June – Order custom packaging in time for Christmas
It may not seem like it, but if you’re thinking about custom packaging for the holiday season, whether it’s a Christmas hamper, gift box or advent calendar, start thinking now.
Not only will this give you the opportunity to spend more time on concept and design work, but it will also help with longer turnaround times required for such projects.
There’s no one size fits all when it comes to custom packaging. You can customise any type of packaging – whether you need a specific size, design or print. Read our blog post The impact of branded packaging for more information.
July – Plan your summer holiday cover
With schools breaking up for the summer and people going away on holidays, ensuring consistent staff cover can get a bit tricky. Planning ahead will help minimise the impact of summer holidays on your business.
Online order management systems, such as Macfarlane’s Simplicit.e, put you in control of your packaging 24/7. You can view your order history, place new and repeat orders in a few clicks of a mouse. This offers convenience and helps ensure continuity of packaging supply during staff holidays.
August – Prepare for peak
Q4 can be a hectic period for many businesses. With increased demand ahead of the holiday season, your packing operation can be put under pressure, whether you need additional staff or you’re struggling with productivity issues.
Here are some tips to help your packing operation get ready for peak:
- Provide adequate training for your staff
- Review your pick and pack space
- Optimise warehouse space
- Use temporary pick bins
- Reduce pick times
- Improve warehouse efficiency during peak times
For more tips on how to get your packing operation up to speed, check out our blog: How to prepare your warehouse for peak season
September – Take steps to minimise damages and returns
As more orders are placed in advance of the holiday season, the amount of parcels being shipped out increases the risk of parcel damage.
Parcels can be lost on the way to customers or damaged because of mishandling during delivery. However, shipping damage can also be a sign that your packaging isn’t doing as well as it could be.
Using optimised packaging that is fit for purpose will help you prevent product damage, disappointed customers and costs associated with processing and issuing returns. To find out more, read our blog post: Shipping damages: common causes and how to prevent them
October – Get ready for Black Friday
With Black Friday just a few short weeks away, it’s important to ensure your packing operation is fully prepared for the busy season ahead.
Make sure your packing stations are organised, temporary packing solutions, such as pick bins, are in place and your staff are familiar with your packaging processes and know how to use relevant equipment.
If you need last minute assistance or something doesn’t work as it should, get in touch with your packaging supplier to learn how they can help you. Also, look at our blog post: 10 tips to prepare your Black Friday packaging.
November – Order packaging ahead of Christmas
Make sure you have enough packaging to last you through the festive season – ask your packaging provider about their final delivery times and place custom orders early to avoid disappointment.
December – Plan for the year ahead
It’s that time of year again to consider what changes you would like to make to your packing processes next year. Was there anything that didn’t go as planned? Do you want to try something new? Are you ready to take your packaging automation to the next level?
By planning ahead, you can make sure you’re well ahead of the game entering 2026!
How can Macfarlane Packaging help?
At Macfarlane Packaging, we are here to help you with all your packaging needs.
We can provide a wide range of stock packaging options, as well as custom packaging solutions, packaging automation, and sustainable products to suit different budgets and requirements.
We can help you save on packaging costs and uncover hidden costs within your packing process. Contact us today to discuss your packaging requirements.