Packing and Unpacking Made Easy

Moving into your new home is an exciting time, but most of us dread the idea of packing and unpacking all of our belongings. It can be a daunting task, and no one looks forward to the work involved with a big move. Valuable items get lost or broken, and our sense of organization all but disappears during a move. These packing tips can make the transition on moving day go smoothly and almost stress-free.

1. Start early!

You might want to hold a yard sale to help clear out unwanted or unneeded items. Thrift stores and consignment shops will gladly accept your unwanted clothes. The fewer items you have to move, the easier your move will be. In addition, you may raise some money while getting rid of things! Prepare for packing by getting the necessary supplies:

Strong, corrugated cardboard boxes

Box labels or stickers

Foam peanuts or "popcorn" and bubble wrap

Tissue paper or newsprint for wrapping delicate items

Packing tape to seal boxes

Markers

Scissors and/or Exacto knife

When packing boxes, keep their weight between 25-35 pounds. Pack heavier items in smaller boxes and lighter items in larger boxes. Pack items from the same room together. Seal the box with packing tape, and clearly label it, indicating the general category of contents and which room the box's items come from. (Color coordinating box labels will make unloading easier, too!) First, pack possessions you rarely use, like items from the garage or storage areas. Once you clear out the garage, you will have space to store the boxes until moving day. You can also save time and space by ordering a "pod" or "pack rat," a portable storage container. Pack a few cartons each day, so your workload doesn't seem overwhelming.

2. Pack dishes and other fragile items

When packing fragile items, it is important to keep them safe and secure from breakage. Select a medium-sized box and line the bottom with crumpled packing paper. Carefully wrap each item individually, and place in the carton. When packing glasses and stemware, fill them with crumpled packing paper. Place items in an upright position. Separate layers of items with packing paper or bubble wrap, and be sure to fill in any empty space to prevent shifting of items. Mark the box "FRAGILE," and always stack at the top.

3. Pack small appliances and electronics

When possible, you should pack small appliances and electronics in their original packaging. These items fit efficiently in their original boxes, and are often awkward to fit into other types of cartons. If you do not have the original packaging, choose an appropriate-sized box, and place protective padding on the bottom of the carton. Wrap an old blanket or protective pad around the item, and place it in its carton. Wrap cords separately, label to identify usage, and place in a plastic bag away from delicate surfaces. Non-detachable cords should also be wrapped. Place cords between the padded item and the box.

4. Pack Mirrors, Paintings and Pictures

Wrap small mirrors, pictures, paintings, and frames, and place on edge in cartons. For added safety, place tape diagonally across mirror to protect better against damage. Do not place newspaper directly against paintings, because ink will transfer from the newsprint to your artwork.

5. Pack clothes

Use wardrobe boxes to pack clothes on hangers. You can keep clothes smelling fresh by placing a scented dryer sheet in the box with the clothes. Keep folded clothes in dresser drawers, and take the drawers out before you move the dresser into the moving truck or pod. Once the dresser is loaded, replace the drawers during the actual move. Be sure the drawers are not overloaded, as this can cause damage to the dresser during the move. When you unload into your new Arizona home, remove the drawers first.

6. Disassemble beds

Near the date of your move, disassemble beds to prepare for transport. Take the mattresses off the frame and disassemble, being sure to keep all nuts, bolts, and other hardware in a sealed plastic bag. Label the bag and place in a box labeled appropriately. Secure bed rails with tape or twine.

7. Pack food items

When packing canned goods, place upright with no more than 24-30 cans per box. Wrap glass containers and boxed foods individually and pack in small cartons. Try to consume all perishable and frozen food items before your move, as these items are difficult to move to a new Arizona home safely. If packing medicines, seal caps with masking tape. Wrap and pack upright in small cartons. If needed during travel, carry medicines with you.

8. Pack a survival kit

During your move, you may be unable to find some important everyday items that you will need the first few days in your new home. Pack a "survival" kit to carry in your car or have first off the truck. Some important, often overlooked items to place in the survival kit include the following:

Basic Tools -- Hammer, screwdriver, knife, tape, etc.

Bathroom products -- Soap, shampoo, toilet paper, towels, etc.

Kitchen items -- Disposable utensils, cups, plates and snacks, drinks, paper towels, etc.

Cleaning products -- Cleansers, broom, dustpan, sponges, etc.

First aid supplies -- Bandages, disinfectants, pain relievers, etc.

9. Stay organized

When loading moving cartons into your pod or moving truck, it is important to stay organized and load efficiently. This will ease the unloading process and keep your items more secure from damage. Keep boxes from the same room together to help the unloading process. Stack heavier boxes near the bottom, and lighter boxes near the top. Always stack fragile items at the top.

10. Ask friends for help

Your friends can be a helpful and inexpensive resource to utilize during your move. Ask for their assistance, and let them know your move date well in advance. Offer to reward them during and after the move, as this will encourage their enthusiasm to assist with the move.

11. Unloading

Once you arrive in your new Arizona home, the unloading process begins. When removing boxes from the moving truck or pod, take them to the proper rooms where they belong. Stack boxes neatly and allow ample space for moving furniture into the room.

12. Unpacking

If possible, take off an extra day or two from work. Having a couple of days to unpack will make the job less overwhelming, and you will return to work a little more refreshed than if you were rushed to unpack. Unpack larger items first, and assemble items you had taken apart for the move. Focus on one room at a time, starting where you feel most comfortable.

Eco-Friendly Packaging Options For Ecommerce Retailers

The most ubiquitous packaging materials are of course bubble wrap and peanuts. The pros and cons of both are well documented, but the most important thing to know is they are typically made from plastics (as in oil) and are not bio-degradable. With the amount of bubble wrap and peanuts used around the world each day the problem is pretty self evident.

These products are made from some pretty nasty stuff Polyethylene, Polystyrene and Polyurethane (which consists of all sorts of harsh chemicals including acetone, methylene chloride and fluorocarbons).

Aside from the toxic chemicals used with most plastic based packing materials and the huge energy resources that going into creating them; the amount of landfill taken up after they are discarded is significant.

Here are some ideas for alternative packaging options to consider using when preparing your customer orders for shipment.

Soy based expandable foam products are a more eco-friendly option. Derived from soy, and therefore renewable and biodegradable, this product conforms precisely to the shape of your products. This maximizes protection by minimizing movement on the inside of the carton. The product is also very light weight, reducing the additional shipping expense of heavier materials. Realistically expandable foam is best for larger operations due to the space the specialized equipment and process will require.

Consider using old newspapers as they can also be a good option as well. Shredded or balled up newspaper has decent cushioning ability. My opinion is that shredded paper has a neat look in the box and adds some "eco-cred" to your products. Aesthetically the balled up news print leave a little to be desired, and there is no efficient way to "ball up" enough paper to keep up with a high volume fulfillment operation. Shredded paper, although requiring an extra step (to shred) does led itself to a higher volume set up.

Again, it's not as pretty, but old cardboard boxes can be cut into strips and then rolled tightly. Place the rolls vertically into the packing box around the item in the box, the rolls will then expand providing a cushion. Similar to newsprint, if some care is taken up front to cut or prepare the boxes neatly the end product could work in a way that looks good to your customers.

Reusing something like paper or cardboard for packaging is always preferable to recycling, and of course, MUCH better than throwing those items away. Cushion packaging is sold that is made from one hundred percent post consumer waste paper - give that a try if you don't like the look of used newspapers.

Biodegradable packing peanuts are available, made from grain sorghum and corn starch. For environmentally friendly soft foam in rolls, starch-based products such as Cell have the added bonus of being anti-static which is great for cushioning computer parts and Biodegradable packing peanuts are available, made from grain sorghum and corn starch For environmentally friendly soft foam in rolls, starch-based products such as Green Cell have the added bonus of being anti-static which is great for cushioning computer parts and electronic equipment.

For wrapping and packaging inside the box, use or reuse something. And the same goes for the cartons you are using - go for boxes made from recycled cardboard. The options these days for recycled corrugated boxes are very diverse and any place selling boxes will likely provide these product options as well.

www.made-from-india.com maintains a database for manufacturers, exporters, wholesalers, retailers and suppliers of Packaging & Paper Products including hologram, label & tag, packaging materials, paper & pulp, & other HDPE sacks etc.

'Green' Packaging Gaining Ground

While the use of eco-friendly options is rising, adoption is limited to upscale releases due to high costs. Most makers recycle and employ fewer materials instead.

China's export manufacturers are increasingly adopting earth-friendly alternatives to traditional packaging choices. PLA is replacing petroleum-based polymers to create degradable plastic containers and gift bags. More innovative solutions include microwave-, oven- and refrigerator-safe food canisters made from natural wheat straw pulp.

Such options, however, are used only for high-end releases targeting the US and the EU. At present, conventional materials still hold sway because they are cost-effective, functional and practical. In most cases, incorporating environment-friendly packaging raises manufacturing outlay 30 percent.

Wheat straw pulp containers, for instance, are roughly 50 percent more expensive than plastic foam. A ton of the natural raw material currently stands at 5,000 to 6,000 yuan ($731 to $877). Gift and packaging bags made of paper processed with pulp culled from sustainable forests cost 2 to 5 percent more as well.

To heed the growing call for ecologically safe practices, however, suppliers have taken to recycling instead. Paper waste is reduced to a pulp and reprocessed into new sheets. Others are simplifying designs to ensure minimal use of materials.

Standardized packaging is actually the norm at many large home appliance companies so that wastage can be reduced. Buyers' logos and patterns differentiate the cartons, but even then, prints are limited to three colors. Modifications, however, are accepted for a fee.

Still there are others that work with clients to balance minimum wastage and functionality. Electric kettle manufacturer Guangdong Longde Group Co. Ltd collaborates with buyers to ensure its recycled paper packaging can still provide optimum protection.

Reusable, degradable alternatives

Paper is increasingly being used to replace wood and EPS foam as packaging material for home appliances. The inner padding or cushioning for the cartons now comes in corrugated or honeycomb paper board. Compared with EPS foam and wood, paper can be reused in multiple ways and is cost-effective. Replacing EPS foam with honeycomb paper board for the cushioning is estimated to cut outlay by about 20 percent.

Cardboard is also being adopted in lieu of film packaging for small home appliances because it is less expensive and easier to recycle. The plastic is used to laminate paper gift boxes as well. This type of surface treatment, however, results in paper that is harder to recycle. As such, several companies are now incorporating the more earth-friendly UV oil finish, which costs the same as film laminates.

Shandong Teanhe Green Pak Science and Technology Co. Ltd, meanwhile, uses the same papermaking process to produce ecologically safe food and medical packaging products derived from natural wheat straw pulp. The food-grade items are nontoxic, 100 to 120 C oil- and water-resistant, and microwave-, oven- and refrigerator-safe. Not only can the containers be recycled, they can also degrade into fertilizer after being buried in soil for 100 days.

Concerns over cost, practicality

In general, it is the large and foreign-invested businesses that first delved into implementing measures toward achieving sustainable production, including developing environment-friendly packaging. But this has not spread widely enough to the smaller and locally owned operations. As such, green manufacturing has yet to achieve economies of scale. Consequently, costs are often higher.

Shandong Teanhe's workaround over the price issue is to target the midrange and high-end market. By doing so, the company has been able to post 30 percent annual growth since 2008. Even then, R&D is being carried out to improve processing and lower outlay for the wheat straw containers.

Apart from cost issues, eco-friendly substitutes sometimes do not perform as well as conventional materials. Most gift boxes, for instance, are still film-laminated because UV oil finish does not resist air and moisture as well as traditional plastic.

In addition, a few ecologically safe alternatives are actually more polluting because of the way they are processed. To decrease paper weight while still ensuring durability, many paper manufacturers work on improving starch paste, some of which now contain formaldehyde. Safer variants free from the toxic chemical are also available but at a higher cost.

www.made-from-india.com maintains a database for manufacturers, exporters, wholesalers, retailers and suppliers of Packaging & Paper Products including hologram, label & tag, packaging materials, paper & pulp, & other HDPE sacks etc.

New Packaging Technology, Large Shipping Boxes and Environmental Concerns

New technology has come about utilizing traditional renewable energy sources such as trees and timber. It appears that paper might be going through a process of rebirth as modern societies realize the importance of trees and vegetation for human life and recreation. Part of the gradual transition back to basics is due to the fact that the long-term effects of using petroleum-based technology for packaging prove detrimental. While the quality and strength of plastics is undoubted, their decomposition and bio-degradation time sometimes ranges in the thousands of years and this is a major concern.

An example are multi-wall bags - one of the veterans of the packaging industry. Their proliferation has accompanied societies from inception of industrialization to modern times. They face challenges as related to some quality characteristics such as providing grease and moisture barriers for various products and manufacturing demands. Meeting these demands, together with the growing opposition of using trees as paper raw material naturally opened widely the door for plastics. Some of them are manufactured from waste in oil refineries etc. and they are virtually indestructible. Plastics, in turn, introduce a number of new problems which appear to be circling back to the realization that while cutting trees is bad, this could be compensated with a tree-planting strategy. What is more, statistical data shows the forests in the US have increased by almost forty percent over the passed one hundred years and by about 10 million acres in the last twenty years. Some paper is manufactured following guidelines and certification by the Sustainable Forestry Initiative - it mandates that for every tree used, two new ones are planted. Alas this data is only good for the US and is not quite representative since much of the packaging supplies and the large shipping boxes are manufactured overseas.

Certain newer packaging provides grease, moisture etc protection without the use of poly liner. This makes the new product fully recyclable which combined with the fact that it is produced from around ninety percent renewable materials makes it a viable alternative to old-school paper and plastics. Certain aspects of this manufacturing process employ proprietary, patented nano-technology via which water-based coating is applied to the walls of the paper. This coating bonds with the material and insulates it from water and gases. Furthermore, protection levels against moisture and oil can be adjusted according to product or legal requirements. Another great benefit is that this water-based coated paper recycles better since the bonded coating remains in the fiber throughout the recycling and results in stronger more durable paper. This stronger product can then be utilized as containerboard for production of durable large shipping boxes.

Increase Your Product Quality With Custom Plastic Packaging

Custom plastic packaging is ideally used for catering to the needs of the fast moving consumer goods industry. Interestingly, custom packaging is the most important ingredient for successful and smooth movement of consumer products. The plastic which is used in the packaging material, which in turn is used as consumer goods, is of high quality and it helps preserve food items by increasing their existing shelf life.

In case custom packing is not used, consumer food items would have shorter shelf life as climatic conditions would have an adverse effect on their durability. In the absence of packaging, the food items would start to decay within hours of being processed. Plastic packaging is performed in an environment wherein there is no inclusion of dust or air as that can adversely affect the quality of the food item.

Custom packaging is of various types and it can therefore be classified into various sub-categories. These sub categories are basically aimed at defining the kind of product that they are used to package.

Packaging may include thin shrink, small outline, optical duel, flat no deal, thin micro lead, and several other categories. In order to package day to day consumer goods such as milk, edible items such as chocolates and electronic equipments, the use of industrial packaging material is considered the most effective and durable.

The industry of custom packaging is growing by the day as large companies rely completely on plastic packaging to ensure that their goods are packed appropriately and at a low cost. The reason why plastic manufacturing is on the rise is because large organizations use it as a means of packaging their consumer goods.

While there are several large storing and manufacturing companies which deal with plastic packaging, Tetra pack R is supposed to be the largest of them all. Also known as PET, this organization has special manufacturing procedures that retain good gas as well as humidity while packaging edible goods. This helps in increasing the shelf life of edible consumer goods.

Custom plastic packing is mainly used for packing sport drinks, soft drinks, water, dressing bottles for salad as well as mouthwash. Pickles, jam, peanut butter as well as jelly are also preserved with the aid of this packaging. Another derivative of custom packaging is polyethylene. It is a high density packaging material and is mainly used for storing detergents, shampoos, cosmetics, laundry and trash bags. Even retail bags are made from the same material.

Considered to be a vital business function, plastic packaging is the life line for numerous consumer goods. To avoid environmental pollution, the use of recycled packaging has picked speed in recent years and has come up as the most suitable solution for increasing the existing shelf life of highly perishable consumer goods.

we made-from-india.com have come up with a common platform for all plastic and rubber manufacturers, suppliers, exporters and buyers, to trade with each other at the click of a mouse. A few years back, transactions used to take place ‘on –field’, with both parties sitting face-to-face, before closing the deal. Here, the major plus point is the transaction is taking place ‘on-line’ and you can strike a profitable deal right away. Sitting face-to-face can be done anytime.

How to Select the Best Food Packaging Paper

The Food Packaging industry has undergone a rapid change and with the advent of technology, it has become rather simple and safe to pack and unpack food items and keep proper hygiene for the same. Most food products sold these days are wrapped and packaged in paper as it is the safest and most hygienic way of packing. Most manufacturers and food sellers wrap up food products and fruits in paper, which is evidently used since the 2nd century BC. Paper packaging is not new and will certainly remain for several years to come. Before one decides to select the best food wrapping paper, one needs to check for the food type that is to be packed and the best quality of paper which can withhold the same and retain its freshness.

Wax Packaging

Wax packaging has been appreciated by a lot of people because its consistency meets the standards of food packaging needs making it an optimum choice. The wax being applied on the covering materials helps to increase the overall strength of the material, there by enhancing its quality, as well. Depending upon the acceptance of wax packaging, there are various manufacturers that have introduced wax paper packet in the market which are quite durable and Eco friendly also.

While choosing the best food packaging paper, people should always make sure that paper should meet the requirement so that they can have the benefit of eating healthy food. These days, paper comes in different styles and people can choose the best one depending upon the quality and their requirement. People can easily cover every kind of food stuff ranging from bread products to other poultry products like chicken and red meat. So, make sure you keep this information in mind and choose the best food packaging paper so as to enjoy healthy food.

www.made-from-india.com maintains a database for manufacturers, exporters, wholesalers, retailers and suppliers of Packaging & Paper Products including hologram, label & tag, packaging materials, paper & pulp, & other HDPE sacks etc.

Rust Preventative Paper and Packaging

In many cases, rust can happen to metal tools and parts that are exposed to moisture and oxygen over time.Metal corrodes, or "breaks down" due to chemical reactions caused by atmosphere and surroundings. Oxidation of iron atoms weakens metals.When metal reacts with water and oxygen over a period of time, it loses electrons, and this loss results in the iron becoming weak, corroded, and rust covered. Fork Truck exhaust, heat treatments, and other by-products from the metal manufacturing process especially sulfurous gases, acid vapors, and ammonia gases can also contribute to rust. Those processes and environmental changes such as humidity, long periods of time spent in storage, and transportation accelerate the rust.

Preventing Rust Before it Starts: Why is it important to use rust frustrative VCI paper and rust preventative VCI packaging?

Rust and corrosion contribute to waste-of both metal parts and money for businesses and consumers. Rust and corrosion is both unsightly and can greatly damage and weaken the structural integrity of metal parts, causing them to become unusable.

Some metal parts manufacturing and metal forming companies use rust frustrative oils instead of rust frustrative paper to prevent metal pieces and parts from corrosion and rust. The R.P. oils act as a barrier or coating between the metal and the elements, shielding parts and pieces from salt, moisture, air, gases, and contaminants. These R.P. oils are effective in preventing rust and corrosion, but have negative side effects.

Let's compare R.P. oils to a rust preventative paper alternative.

R.P. Oils:Both time consuming and labor intensive to apply rust frustrative oils, usually by spraying, dipping, or brushing on metal parts.

Rust Preventative VCI Paper: Green VCI paper and poly bags are easy to use and require very little labor, as parts are simply wrapped in paper or placed in a Green VCI poly bag and remain corrosion-free for years.

R.P. Oils:Rust frustrative oils pollute groundwater, lakes, and streams.

Rust Preventative VCI Paper:VCI bags are clean, dry, and safe for the environment.

R.P. Oils: To effectively dispose of storage containers and R.P. oil soaked items can be very costly.

Rust Preventative VCI Paper:Rust frustrative VCI paper is completely 100% recyclable, and VCI poly bags can be reused and/or recycled.

R.I. Oils:These oils can take a toll on employee health (they're known to contain carcinogens), VOC's, and cause slip and fall accidents.

Rust Preventative Paper: VCI Bags and paper have no harmful VOCs.The packaging is effective in that rust preventive paper bags are pre-coated with rust inhibiting chemicals, which migrate off the paper onto the metal surface. These molecules cover the entire metal surface and prevent moisture and air from corroding and rusting parts.No mess, no danger to employees.

VCI paper prevent corrosion that can lead to waste, and part failure. Corrosion is responsible for damage to automobile electronic parts, computer parts, mobile phones and more. During production, storage, or shipping, corrosion protection is equally important. Learn more about the many advantages of VCI bags and rust frustrative paper and packaging.