Sustainability
Our commitment to a circular packaging economy and a healthier planet.
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Our Sustainability Programs
Every action we take is guided by our commitment to environmental responsibility. Here are the eight core programs that drive our sustainability impact.
Packaging Reuse Programs
We extend the life of industrial packaging by carefully inspecting, grading, and reselling used materials. A single gaylord box can be reused 3-5 times before it needs recycling, dramatically reducing the demand for raw materials and the energy required to manufacture new packaging. Our reuse program is the cornerstone of our environmental impact, and it is also the primary driver of savings for our customers.
Recycling & Processing
When materials reach the end of their usable life, we ensure they are properly recycled rather than sent to landfill. Our processing facility handles corrugated cardboard, HDPE and other plastics, wood pallets, woven polypropylene bulk bags, and metal components from IBC tote frames. We partner with certified recycling facilities to ensure proper handling and maximum material recovery for every material type.
Efficient Transportation
We optimize our pickup and delivery routes using logistics software to minimize fuel consumption and carbon emissions. Our fleet planning ensures maximum loads and minimum empty miles on every route. We consolidate pickups and deliveries whenever possible, and we schedule our routes to avoid unnecessary detours. These operational efficiencies translate directly into lower emissions per unit delivered.
Local Sourcing
By sourcing and selling locally within the Mesa and greater Phoenix area, we reduce the environmental impact of long-distance shipping while supporting the local economy. Shorter supply chains mean less fuel burned, fewer emissions generated, and faster turnaround for our customers. Our commitment to local sourcing is both an environmental strategy and an economic advantage.
Energy-Efficient Operations
Our warehouse facility uses energy-efficient lighting, optimized HVAC systems, and smart energy management to minimize electricity consumption. We have invested in LED lighting throughout the facility, installed programmable thermostats, and implemented motion-activated systems in low-traffic areas. These upgrades have significantly reduced our operational energy use without impacting productivity.
Water Conservation
Our IBC tote washing and cleaning operations use water-efficient systems that minimize consumption while maintaining thorough sanitation standards. We recirculate wash water through filtration systems where possible and use low-flow equipment for all cleaning processes. In the desert environment of Arizona, responsible water use is especially important to us.
Waste Stream Diversion
We maintain detailed tracking of every material that enters and leaves our facility. Nothing goes to a landfill. Materials that can be reused are refurbished and resold. Materials that cannot be reused are sorted by type and sent to appropriate recycling facilities. Even packaging from our own operations, such as stretch wrap and strapping, is collected and recycled.
Customer Sustainability Support
We help our customers achieve their own sustainability goals by providing recycling and buy-back services, sustainability reporting, and guidance on transitioning from new packaging to quality used alternatives. Many of our partners have achieved green certifications, zero-waste goals, or significant ESG improvements with our support.
How Our Recycling Works
From collection to certified recycling, every step is documented and optimized for maximum material recovery and minimum environmental impact.
Collection & Intake
Materials arrive at our facility from customer pickups, drop-offs, and scheduled collections. Each load is documented with source, material type, and estimated quantity for full traceability.
Sorting & Assessment
Incoming materials are sorted by type (cardboard, plastic, wood, polypropylene, metal) and assessed for reuse potential. Items that can be refurbished are separated from those destined for recycling.
Refurbishment & Grading
Reusable items undergo our full inspection and grading process. Gaylord boxes are checked for structural integrity, IBC totes are cleaned and pressure-tested, and pallets are repaired or heat-treated as needed.
Baling & Processing
End-of-life materials are processed for recycling. Cardboard is baled, plastics are sorted by resin type, wood is chipped or processed for biomass, and metals are separated for scrap recycling.
Certified Recycling
Processed materials are sent to certified recycling partners who convert them into new raw materials. We maintain documentation on all recycling transactions to verify proper handling.
Reporting & Tracking
We provide detailed recycling reports to customers who participate in our programs, including weight diverted, materials recovered, and estimated environmental impact metrics.
New vs. Used: Carbon Comparison
Choosing used packaging dramatically reduces the carbon footprint associated with manufacturing, raw material extraction, and transportation. Here is how the numbers compare per unit.
| Material | New (CO2e/unit) | Used (CO2e/unit) | Carbon Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gaylord Boxes | 12.4 kg CO2e | 1.8 kg CO2e | 85% |
| IBC Totes (275 gal) | 48.6 kg CO2e | 8.2 kg CO2e | 83% |
| Wood Pallets (48x40) | 8.1 kg CO2e | 1.2 kg CO2e | 85% |
| Plastic Pallets | 22.3 kg CO2e | 3.4 kg CO2e | 85% |
| Bulk Bags (FIBC) | 6.8 kg CO2e | 1.1 kg CO2e | 84% |
| Corrugated Boxes | 3.2 kg CO2e | 0.5 kg CO2e | 84% |
* Estimates based on lifecycle analysis data. Actual values vary by specific product, condition, and supply chain distance.
Materials Recovery by Type
Different materials have different recycling characteristics. Here is how effectively we recover value from each material type in our waste stream.
Corrugated Cardboard
95%Paper mills for new cardboard production
HDPE Plastic (IBC totes)
88%Plastic recyclers for pellets and new containers
Wood (Pallets)
82%Mulch, biomass fuel, or new pallet manufacturing
Polypropylene (Bulk Bags)
78%Textile recyclers for fiber recovery
Steel (IBC Tote Cages)
98%Metal recyclers for steel production
Stretch Wrap (LLDPE)
72%Film recyclers for new plastic film
Real Sustainability Impact
These case studies demonstrate how our sustainability programs create measurable environmental and financial benefits for our customers.
Manufacturing Plant Achieves Zero Packaging Waste
A large Mesa-based manufacturer was sending over 800 gaylord boxes and 200 pallets per month to landfill, costing $4,500/month in disposal fees.
PackMesa implemented a buy-back program with scheduled weekly pickups, purchasing reusable items and recycling the rest.
100% diversion from landfill, $4,500/month in disposal savings, plus $2,200/month in buy-back revenue. Total annual benefit: $80,400.
Food Distributor Cuts Packaging Carbon Footprint 60%
A regional food distributor committed to a 50% carbon reduction in their supply chain but was spending $200K/year on new packaging with a large carbon footprint.
PackMesa transitioned them to FDA-compliant used IBC totes and Grade A gaylord boxes, maintaining quality while dramatically reducing embodied carbon.
60% carbon reduction in packaging (exceeding their 50% goal), $120K in annual savings, and qualification for a state green business certification.
Logistics Company Implements Closed-Loop Pallet System
A third-party logistics provider was purchasing 500 new pallets monthly and discarding damaged ones, creating both cost and waste problems.
PackMesa created a pallet management program: supplying quality used pallets, collecting damaged ones for repair or recycling, and maintaining a consistent supply.
40% reduction in pallet costs, zero pallets to landfill, consistent supply without the lead times associated with ordering new, and simplified pallet management.
Environmental Certifications & Standards
EPA Recycling Best Practices
Aligned with EPA guidelines for responsible recycling and waste management operations.
Arizona DEQ Compliance
Fully compliant with Arizona Department of Environmental Quality regulations for material handling and processing.
ISPM-15 Wood Treatment
Heat treatment capability for wood pallets to meet international phytosanitary standards for export packaging.
Responsible Recycling (R2) Aligned
Our recycling processes are aligned with R2 standards for responsible electronics and material recycling.
OSHA Environmental Safety
Full compliance with OSHA standards for handling, storing, and processing industrial materials safely.
Zero Waste Business Practices
Operating under zero-waste-to-landfill principles with documented material flow tracking.
Where We Are Headed
Sustainability is a journey, not a destination. These are the specific, measurable targets we are working toward.
- 1Increase reuse rate to 75% of total inventory by end of next year
- 2Achieve 90% overall material recovery rate within two years
- 3Reduce per-unit transportation emissions by 15% over three years
- 4Expand recycling partnerships to cover 100% of material types we handle
- 5Help 100 customers achieve their sustainability targets annually
- 6Install solar panels at our Mesa facility to offset 50% of electricity use
- 7Transition delivery fleet to include hybrid or electric vehicles
- 8Achieve third-party environmental certification for our facility
The Circular Packaging Economy
Traditional packaging follows a linear model: make, use, dispose. At PackMesa, we champion a circular approach where packaging materials are continuously reused and recycled, creating value at every stage while minimizing environmental impact. This model is not only better for the planet, it is better for your bottom line.
Partner With Us for a Greener Future
Whether you want to reduce your packaging costs, achieve zero-waste goals, or improve your ESG reporting, PackMesa has the programs and expertise to help.
Contact us to discuss how our sustainability programs can benefit your business and the environment simultaneously. Every reused box, every recycled pallet, and every diverted ton makes a difference.
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