Bulk bags have solidified their place as a cornerstone of modern industrial packaging thanks to their exceptional strength, adaptability, and efficiency. Above all, these bulk packaging products are eco-friendly due to their reusability and recyclability. By reducing waste and preserving resources, high-quality used bulk bags are an alluring option for companies that are dedicated to eco-friendly operations and want to minimise their packaging costs.
They are becoming more and more renowned for their cost-effectiveness, often over several cycles, which makes them a substantial contributor to a more circular economy. However, performance and safety must never be sacrificed in the name of economy or environmental friendliness. Being able to source and purchase premium used bulk bags (while maintaining their integrity through careful examinations and tests) has become an important skill for procurement managers.
Custom Bulk Bags (CBB) is a leading manufacturer and supplier of bulk bags in South Africa. We produce up to 3.5 million units every year, and our products can safely hold between 500kg and two tonnes of material per bag. We offer various customisable bulk bags and can include certain optional extras that improve the usability of your packaging. CBB can also help customers source high-quality used bulk bags for certain applications.
Why do companies look for used bulk bags?
Pre-owned bulk bags are usually sought after by businesses for both financial and ecological reasons. The primary motivator is often cost savings; recycled bags are far less expensive than new ones, enabling businesses to reduce their packaging costs without necessarily sacrificing functionality for certain uses. Reusing bulk bags minimises the carbon footprint associated with new manufacture and reduces landfill waste, making it an excellent choice for corporate sustainability programs.
The following actions are important to ensuring that your bulk bags can be used for a long time and can consistently support their intended weight without breaking:
- History of the bag – If possible, you need to find out what the bulk bag was used for initially, and how many times it was used. There may be internal wear or contamination in bags that have previously contained abrasive materials or toxic substances. Light, non-abrasive materials work well in bags that are used only once. Reputable companies can offer reliable information on how they have used their bulk bags.
- Comprehensive visual examination – Perform a thorough visual check before each reuse. Look for signs of thinning of the fabric, rips, punctures, fraying, and discolouration, particularly from UV exposure. Since the bottom and corners of bulk bags are the most stressed, pay special attention to them. Check each seam for any indications of separation, loose threads or missing stitches. Examine the lifting loops for signs of weakness, such as frays, rips, twists, or excessive wear. Never use a bag whose lifting loops are damaged.
- Reduce the Safe Working Load (SWL) – Reducing the initial SWL is an important safety precaution when reusing bulk bags. A bag’s strength may have decreased due to prior use and exposure, even if it seems to be in good shape. Depending on the material handled and the number of prior uses, it is common practice to reduce the SWL by at least 25%. Never go over this lower SWL.
- Appropriate storage and handling – How a used bulk bag is handled has a big impact on how long it lasts. Make sure forklift tines are properly inserted into loops, and refrain from dragging bags across the floor. To stop additional fabric deterioration, store empty used bags in a dry, clean, covered location away from harsh sunlight and extreme temperatures.
- Test if in doubt – Before bringing a batch of used bags into service, think about doing a quick drop test or top-lift test on a sample bag for important applications or if there is any uncertainty regarding the integrity of the bag. Remember, saving money on reused bags should never outweigh the risks associated with filling and using damaged bulk bags.
Sourcing high-quality bulk bags with CBB
It can be difficult to find your way through the secondhand bulk bag market because there is a good chance that you will only find faulty or damaged bags. At this point, working with a trustworthy bulk bag manufacturer, like CBB, provides a strategic advantage. Being a top producer of bulk bags in South Africa, we have a distinct advantage and a wide network that can help your business find excellent secondhand bulk bags at a reasonable cost.
There are well-maintained bulk bags that are available for secondary usage, and we can help you find them because of our long-standing ties with a wide variety of customers. In addition, we occasionally have access to used bulk bags that have been properly handled and judged appropriate for re-entry into the market, thanks to our own internal procedures and supply chain.
We can link you with used bulk bags that are actually in great shape by delving into our own stocks as well as our network of current clients who may have extra or lightly used bags. Importantly, our role goes well beyond simple mediation. You gain from our steadfast dedication to quality control when you purchase second-hand bulk bags from CBB.
Every bag is put through stringent quality control procedures that make use of our extensive knowledge of bulk bag performance. To find any indications of wear, tear, or material deterioration, we perform comprehensive visual inspections.
Where necessary, we use particular testing techniques to evaluate the bag’s structural soundness, including the strength of the fabric and the state of the lifting loops. This thorough screening gives you peace of mind and confidence in your sustainable packaging solution by guaranteeing that any used bulk bags we offer will fulfil strict safety and performance standards.
CBB is dedicated to quality and reliability, including the ethical and trustworthy acquisition of used bags. Our knowledgeable team is available to help, whether you’re searching for brand-new, custom-designed bulk bags made to the highest international standards or you’re looking for advice and options on where to find dependable, high-quality secondhand bulk bags for your eco-friendly projects.
We take great pride in helping our clients at every stage of the buying process, making sure you have the ideal bulk bags for your requirements while striking a balance between affordability, environmental responsibility, and, most importantly, unwavering safety. For more information about our bulk bags or to get advice on the ideal designs, please contact us today.
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Custom Bulk Bags is a leading South African manufacturer of woven polypropylene bags for various industries, such as mining, chemicals and food. We are a Level 2 B-BBEE manufacturer and supplier and fall under the ownership structure of Deneb Investments Limited. For more information on our products, contact sales@custombulkbags.co.za.
