Comments on: Poll: Styrofoam or cardboard for your wine shipping? http://www.drvino.com/2008/04/22/poll-styrofoam-or-cardboard-for-your-wine-shipping/ wine talk that goes down easy Sun, 08 Nov 2009 04:33:43 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc hourly 1 By: Curtis http://www.drvino.com/2008/04/22/poll-styrofoam-or-cardboard-for-your-wine-shipping/#comment-268776 Curtis Wed, 19 Aug 2009 18:00:49 +0000 http://www.drvino.com/?p=1667#comment-268776 The molded pulp has been tested and certified by UPS , FedEx and ISTA.Corrugated inserts are suspect if the board strength is downgraded.Also the outer box must be of sufficient strength to protect the total weight of the package.The problem with the 12 pack molded pulp is too light weight an outer box.It should be at least 275# double wall.Buy only tested and certified packaging.It is possible that an inexpensive insulated bag can be invented so you can ship your wine in extreme temperature environments.I will keep you posted.The molded pulp is so much cheaper than EPS and it is completely biodegradable and is made almost wholly from recycled materials. Why anyone would not use it is a mystery to me.Cheers from San Diego county! The molded pulp has been tested and certified by UPS , FedEx and ISTA.Corrugated inserts are suspect if the board strength is downgraded.Also the outer box must be of sufficient strength to protect the total weight of the package.The problem with the 12 pack molded pulp is too light weight an outer box.It should be at least 275# double wall.Buy only tested and certified packaging.It is possible that an inexpensive insulated bag can be invented so you can ship your wine in extreme temperature environments.I will keep you posted.The molded pulp is so much cheaper than EPS and it is completely biodegradable and is made almost wholly from recycled materials. Why anyone would not use it is a mystery to me.Cheers from San Diego county!

]]> By: Jeremy Brown http://www.drvino.com/2008/04/22/poll-styrofoam-or-cardboard-for-your-wine-shipping/#comment-255490 Jeremy Brown Thu, 25 Jun 2009 21:06:08 +0000 http://www.drvino.com/?p=1667#comment-255490 I came across this by Googling but felt the need to "chime in." While we don't ship wine, we do a lot of electronics shipping. Even the "anti-static" styrofoam peanuts are still a bit clingy. We switched to "mostly" cardboard in the past few months. We "shred" it in-house using the incoming shipments and picking up unused cardboard boxes from local stores. What we get is not truly shredded but rather a net-looking mat that is max 15" wide and varying lengths. It's great to wrap around products, layer within boxes, roll up as space filling padding or you can also "pull and twist" which makes it "fluffier" making it great for filling spaces with minimal material for light packages. It's been so well noticed that some of our customers have requested to receive only shipments with the cardboard packing and two local moving supply companies are now buying the material off of us and reselling. It stores flat, ships flat, and is highly reusable and doesn't blow all over the warehouse when the door is opened! We had seen the stuff and when we couldn't really find a place to purchase it, we ponied up several thousands of dollars for he machine. If you're interested in getting some from us email me at jbrown@chimneytower.com I came across this by Googling but felt the need to “chime in.” While we don’t ship wine, we do a lot of electronics shipping. Even the “anti-static” styrofoam peanuts are still a bit clingy.

We switched to “mostly” cardboard in the past few months. We “shred” it in-house using the incoming shipments and picking up unused cardboard boxes from local stores.

What we get is not truly shredded but rather a net-looking mat that is max 15″ wide and varying lengths. It’s great to wrap around products, layer within boxes, roll up as space filling padding or you can also “pull and twist” which makes it “fluffier” making it great for filling spaces with minimal material for light packages.

It’s been so well noticed that some of our customers have requested to receive only shipments with the cardboard packing and two local moving supply companies are now buying the material off of us and reselling.

It stores flat, ships flat, and is highly reusable and doesn’t blow all over the warehouse when the door is opened!

We had seen the stuff and when we couldn’t really find a place to purchase it, we ponied up several thousands of dollars for he machine.

If you’re interested in getting some from us email me at jbrown@chimneytower.com

]]> By: smiledoc http://www.drvino.com/2008/04/22/poll-styrofoam-or-cardboard-for-your-wine-shipping/#comment-239857 smiledoc Sat, 25 Apr 2009 20:36:49 +0000 http://www.drvino.com/?p=1667#comment-239857 This is a good discussion to have as the shipping of valuable perishable wine in styrofoam is a reality, thank you! The solution that would most simply answer the problem would be to ask the recipient of the styrofoam container to simply return the styrofoam box to the store or winery for re-use.:) It would be so easy just to have fed-ex or ups put that empty box back on their truck. The winery or store coould even offer you a return label at the time of purchase. The carbons are already being burned by ups and fed-ex, so why not re-use these non-biodegradable styrofoam containers? How about the large volume shippers buying up these boxes or offering return labels?? KLwines.com Wine.com, Winebid.com????? This is a good discussion to have as the shipping of valuable perishable wine in styrofoam is a reality, thank you! The solution that would most simply answer the problem would be to ask the recipient of the styrofoam container to simply return the styrofoam box to the store or winery for re-use.:) It would be so easy just to have fed-ex or ups put that empty box back on their truck. The winery or store coould even offer you a return label at the time of purchase. The carbons are already being burned by ups and fed-ex, so why not re-use these non-biodegradable styrofoam containers? How about the large volume shippers buying up these boxes or offering return labels?? KLwines.com Wine.com, Winebid.com?????

]]> By: Lisa http://www.drvino.com/2008/04/22/poll-styrofoam-or-cardboard-for-your-wine-shipping/#comment-238260 Lisa Sat, 18 Apr 2009 17:03:20 +0000 http://www.drvino.com/?p=1667#comment-238260 I agree with Mike above. But I found a website that carries 100% recycled foam. It will protect the temperature of your wine AND is environmentally friendly. A great idea and I am a big fan. www.boxvendor.com I agree with Mike above. But I found a website that carries 100% recycled foam. It will protect the temperature of your wine AND is environmentally friendly. A great idea and I am a big fan. http://www.boxvendor.com

]]> By: Michael http://www.drvino.com/2008/04/22/poll-styrofoam-or-cardboard-for-your-wine-shipping/#comment-228393 Michael Tue, 31 Mar 2009 16:32:37 +0000 http://www.drvino.com/?p=1667#comment-228393 I think that Dr. Vino should stay off the Al Gore band wagon. If you are going to send me wine from somewhere in the country it had better be in EPS styrofoam. In the winter it won't freeze the wine and in the summer it won't toast and pop the cork. This is a no brainer for the true wine expert. Dr. Vino should consult Robert Parker or anyone who understands that wine is a living thing and corrugated( not cardboard- you stand corrected Dr.) is not what should be used to protect it. Would you recieve a live lobster from Maine in just a box. It would die. You are killing the wine in anything but styrofoam. Mike I think that Dr. Vino should stay off the Al Gore band wagon. If you are going to send me wine from somewhere in the country it had better be in EPS styrofoam. In the winter it won’t freeze the wine and in the summer it won’t toast and pop the cork. This is a no brainer for the true wine expert.
Dr. Vino should consult Robert Parker or anyone who understands that wine is a living thing and corrugated( not cardboard- you stand corrected Dr.) is not what should be used to protect it.
Would you recieve a live lobster from Maine in just a box. It would die. You are killing the wine in anything but styrofoam. Mike

]]> By: Gabriella Opaz http://www.drvino.com/2008/04/22/poll-styrofoam-or-cardboard-for-your-wine-shipping/#comment-91672 Gabriella Opaz Fri, 25 Apr 2008 12:04:36 +0000 http://www.drvino.com/?p=1667#comment-91672 While I look out over a sea of styrofoam containers sitting in my livingroom, unable to be recycled by my town in Spain, I'm sad. I would much prefer to receive my bottles in a mound of edible popcorn, rice cakes or even popped wheat than styrofoam! Obviously, I realize that protecting the wine is key, but I have to imagine in 2008, we can be more creative than this. While I look out over a sea of styrofoam containers sitting in my livingroom, unable to be recycled by my town in Spain, I’m sad. I would much prefer to receive my bottles in a mound of edible popcorn, rice cakes or even popped wheat than styrofoam! Obviously, I realize that protecting the wine is key, but I have to imagine in 2008, we can be more creative than this.

]]> By: Arthur http://www.drvino.com/2008/04/22/poll-styrofoam-or-cardboard-for-your-wine-shipping/#comment-91302 Arthur Thu, 24 Apr 2008 17:36:59 +0000 http://www.drvino.com/?p=1667#comment-91302 Tyler, How does creating a fleet of climate controlled wine delivery vans impact the environment? Tyler,

How does creating a fleet of climate controlled wine delivery vans impact the environment?

]]> By: Rich http://www.drvino.com/2008/04/22/poll-styrofoam-or-cardboard-for-your-wine-shipping/#comment-91299 Rich Thu, 24 Apr 2008 17:16:25 +0000 http://www.drvino.com/?p=1667#comment-91299 I've received a lot of cardboard packing and never received a broken or damaged bottle. I guess using soil as the packing material would be too heavy. Maybe popcorn (particularly the caramel corn variety) would work well. Might be an insulator, too. I’ve received a lot of cardboard packing and never received a broken or damaged bottle. I guess using soil as the packing material would be too heavy. Maybe popcorn (particularly the caramel corn variety) would work well. Might be an insulator, too.

]]> By: Dr. Vino http://www.drvino.com/2008/04/22/poll-styrofoam-or-cardboard-for-your-wine-shipping/#comment-91214 Dr. Vino Thu, 24 Apr 2008 13:05:37 +0000 http://www.drvino.com/?p=1667#comment-91214 It's too bad that some of the comments here complain of breakage with cardboard/pulp. I guess I'm lucky to never have had that problem. Re: insulation, do you really find that it helps? I suppose the flipside is also true: if it gets too hot in a truck all day when being picked up then it could *stay* hot in the warehouse that night. It's really amazing that there isn't a better option--one that is insulating, cushioning, and biodegradable. It’s too bad that some of the comments here complain of breakage with cardboard/pulp. I guess I’m lucky to never have had that problem.

Re: insulation, do you really find that it helps? I suppose the flipside is also true: if it gets too hot in a truck all day when being picked up then it could *stay* hot in the warehouse that night.

It’s really amazing that there isn’t a better option–one that is insulating, cushioning, and biodegradable.

]]> By: Patrick http://www.drvino.com/2008/04/22/poll-styrofoam-or-cardboard-for-your-wine-shipping/#comment-91032 Patrick Wed, 23 Apr 2008 22:32:31 +0000 http://www.drvino.com/?p=1667#comment-91032 I buy most of my wine in Chicago and fly home with it. I only see styrofoam inserts in the stores when I ask for or buy a shipping carton. It always protects the wine well, but my basement is now filled with empty foam cartons. The recycling is a problem. I buy most of my wine in Chicago and fly home with it. I only see styrofoam inserts in the stores when I ask for or buy a shipping carton. It always protects the wine well, but my basement is now filled with empty foam cartons. The recycling is a problem.

]]> By: Matt http://www.drvino.com/2008/04/22/poll-styrofoam-or-cardboard-for-your-wine-shipping/#comment-91004 Matt Wed, 23 Apr 2008 16:52:20 +0000 http://www.drvino.com/?p=1667#comment-91004 I recently made the decision to switch the tasting room I run from stryo to pulp trays. Plup trays are just so much easier to store and take up little space in our already over stuffed cellar. Personally though I believe that stryofoam is a better insulator and is safer but its a risk I'm willing to take on sub-$30 bottles. I recently made the decision to switch the tasting room I run from stryo to pulp trays. Plup trays are just so much easier to store and take up little space in our already over stuffed cellar. Personally though I believe that stryofoam is a better insulator and is safer but its a risk I’m willing to take on sub-$30 bottles.

]]> By: David http://www.drvino.com/2008/04/22/poll-styrofoam-or-cardboard-for-your-wine-shipping/#comment-90996 David Wed, 23 Apr 2008 15:51:33 +0000 http://www.drvino.com/?p=1667#comment-90996 At the winery I work at, they used foam shippers completely when I started there 4 years ago. I worked hard at moving them into recycled pulp (cardboard) trays instead. There was a lot of resistance at first. What we found is that the 12 bottle pulp tray shippers just didn't hold up well during shipping with UPS. We now use foam for the 12 bottle shippers but recycled pulp trays for everything else. At the winery I work at, they used foam shippers completely when I started there 4 years ago. I worked hard at moving them into recycled pulp (cardboard) trays instead. There was a lot of resistance at first.

What we found is that the 12 bottle pulp tray shippers just didn’t hold up well during shipping with UPS.

We now use foam for the 12 bottle shippers but recycled pulp trays for everything else.

]]> By: Mike http://www.drvino.com/2008/04/22/poll-styrofoam-or-cardboard-for-your-wine-shipping/#comment-90994 Mike Wed, 23 Apr 2008 15:48:46 +0000 http://www.drvino.com/?p=1667#comment-90994 As a producer who ships thousands of cases of wine a year across the country, I really wrestle with this issue. But alas, I have to go with Styrofoam. Last year, I received two different shipments of wine off the same UPS truck at the same time. Both from local wineries. One six pack was packed in cardboard, the other in Styrofoam. The bottles in cardboard were quite warm and displayed no headspace, i.e., the wine got so warm it had expanded and was pushing on the cork. The bottles in Styrofoam still had ample headspace and were somewhat cool still. Given that wine is a perishable product, that was all the evidence I needed. I've also heard of too many reports of breakage when shipping in cardboard. As a producer who ships thousands of cases of wine a year across the country, I really wrestle with this issue. But alas, I have to go with Styrofoam. Last year, I received two different shipments of wine off the same UPS truck at the same time. Both from local wineries. One six pack was packed in cardboard, the other in Styrofoam. The bottles in cardboard were quite warm and displayed no headspace, i.e., the wine got so warm it had expanded and was pushing on the cork. The bottles in Styrofoam still had ample headspace and were somewhat cool still. Given that wine is a perishable product, that was all the evidence I needed. I’ve also heard of too many reports of breakage when shipping in cardboard.

]]> By: Tish http://www.drvino.com/2008/04/22/poll-styrofoam-or-cardboard-for-your-wine-shipping/#comment-90978 Tish Wed, 23 Apr 2008 13:26:31 +0000 http://www.drvino.com/?p=1667#comment-90978 I prefer styro for its thermal properties, and assuage my guilt by bringing empties over to a wine store that is more than happy to take and reuse them. Incidentally, they tell me NOT to bring my cardboard ones... too much breakage. I prefer styro for its thermal properties, and assuage my guilt by bringing empties over to a wine store that is more than happy to take and reuse them. Incidentally, they tell me NOT to bring my cardboard ones… too much breakage.

]]> By: Arthur http://www.drvino.com/2008/04/22/poll-styrofoam-or-cardboard-for-your-wine-shipping/#comment-90942 Arthur Wed, 23 Apr 2008 05:57:11 +0000 http://www.drvino.com/?p=1667#comment-90942 Another round of applause for Operaman, everyone! ;) Another round of applause for Operaman, everyone!

;)

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