The Complete Guide To Stretch Film For Shipping Protection
Stretch film is a versatile and indispensable material used in shipping and logistics to secure and protect loads during transit. This guide will delve into the various aspects of stretch film, including expert insights, best practices, and some key considerations for using stretch film effectively.
What is Stretch Film?
Stretch film, also known as stretch wrap, is a highly stretchable plastic film commonly made from Linear Low-Density Polyethylene (LLDPE). It is used to wrap around items to keep them tightly bound and secure. The elasticity of the film ensures that the items remain bound even during movements and vibrations.
Types of Stretch Film
There are several types of stretch films, each designed for specific applications:
Hand Stretch Film
As the name suggests, this type of film is applied manually. It is typically used for smaller loads or where flexibility is required.
Machine Stretch Film
Used with stretch wrap machines, this film is suitable for high-volume applications. It provides consistent and efficient wrapping.
Blown Stretch Film
Known for its strength and resistance to punctures, blown stretch film is ideal for loads with sharp edges or irregular shapes.
Cast Stretch Film
This type of film is known for its clarity, making it easier to see the content of the wrapped pallet. It also offers a quieter unwind compared to blown film.
Expert Opinions on Stretch Film
Several industry experts share their views on the effectiveness and best practices for using stretch film:
John Doe, Logistics Manager at XYZ Corp
"In my experience, choosing the right type of stretch film based on the load characteristics and storage conditions significantly reduces the risk of damage during transit."
Jane Smith, Packaging Specialist at ABC Ltd
"Proper storage of stretch film is crucial. If you are storing your films in a warehouse or area exposed to extreme heat, you will want to move your films to a cooler place that will not produce tacky films. High temperatures may cause your film to melt or become tacky, causing your films to be problematic or unusable. Suppose you are storing your stretch film in a facility that is subject to high temperatures during summer (or other times based on your location). In that case, you need to be aware of your storage protocols."
Seasonal Considerations
Winter
If you are storing your stretch films during the winter or in a place where the temperature is always cold, you will need to think about how you store your films and make some adjustments to the process. Extreme cold can cause your stretch films to become brittle or crack. This may result in stretch films becoming unusable or even producing a safety hazard in relation to unstable loads. If you are storing you films in a warehouse or area exposed to extreme cold, you will want to move your films to a warmer area that will not produce brittle films. Suppose you do not have a warm enough space to prevent the adverse effects of cold temperatures on your films. In that case, you will want to consider implementing climate controls such as heating systems to control the temperature of your stretch film storage area.
Can You Get Paid To Recycle Stretch Film?
Today, countless consumers demand that companies producing their favorite products "go green." Many companies are trying to source sustainable packaging to meet customer needs. Additionally, many businesses are trying to source recyclable packaging materials in an attempt to meet consumer's sustainability demands. One question we often get from customers is, "can you recycle stretch film?" And the short answer is yes! However, while stretch film is recyclable, you cannot just throw the used film into a single-stream recycling bin. Most single-stream and municipal recycling centers do not have the proper infrastructure to recycle stretch films. But, specialized third-party stretch film recycling companies have the required infrastructure to recycle these materials. And, some of these stretch film recycling companies will actually pay you for larger volumes of properly baled and sorted LLDPE used and waste film. If you want to learn more about recycling stretch film and getting paid to do it, please reach out to one of our packaging specialists. They will be able to help you find out if you can recycle your used stretch film and if you qualify to make a profit from doing so.
Should You Automate Your Stretch Wrapping?
Many companies choose to wrap their pallets manually with hand stretch film. And this is a totally acceptable way to wrap pallets. But, with an ongoing labor shortage, finding good laborers to work in your warehouse is not always easy. And even if you find the labor you need, you could be saving a lot of money by switching to automated stretch wrapping. With an automated stretch wrapper, you can partially or fully automate your stretch wrapping. With automated stretch wrapping, you can reduce the number of laborers in your warehouse, increase production speeds, improve safety, reduce film waste and save some serious coin. But is automated stretch wrapping right for your business? Depending on the number of laborers you can replace in conjunction with the volume of products you are wrapping, automated stretch wrapping may be able to save you a ton of money. But how do you know if automated stretch wrapping is proper for you? If you want to know if an automated stretch wrapper makes sense for your product palletizing and securing requirements, you will want to speak with a packaging expert. They will help you understand how much a stretch wrapper costs, whether buying or leasing is the right choice, and how much cost savings you can reap from automating your stretch wrapping.
Stretch Wrapper Safety
It should go without saying that when you choose to automate your stretch wrapping, that safety comes first. Stretch wrappers are a form of industrial equipment that, if operated wrong, can lead to safety hazards. As such, it is imperative to educate yourself about stretch wrapper safety before purchasing, installing, and using an automated stretch wrapper. Safety concerns that should be studied before implementation include the following items:
- Preventing trip hazards
- Avoiding pinch points
- Avoiding poor load containment
- Reducing the probability of injury
In an effort to provide you with the proper safety advice for automated stretch wrapping, we have compiled this guide to stretch wrapper safety that covers each of the bullet points above.
Problems With Stretch Film
While stretch film is an excellent packaging material for palletizing and securing your loads, it may or may not be the suitable material for your needs. Depending on what you are attempting to palletize, other materials may be better suited to your requirements (such as strapping). If you are looking for more details, kindly visit Eopac Machinery. If you are storing your films in a warehouse or area exposed to extreme heat, you will want to move your films to a cooler place that will not produce tacky films. High temperatures may cause your film to melt or become tacky, causing your films to be problematic or unusable. Suppose you are storing your stretch film in a facility that is subject to high temperatures during summer (or other times based on your location). In that case, you need to be aware of your storage protocols. Additionally, you can also check out a reel stretch wrapper for roll packaging solutions.