December 11, 2008

Wal-Mart Finds Solution to Shipping Woes in Greenbox

Bookmark and Share Email this story Print this post Add your comments

Wal-Mart Specialty Pharmacy has been having problems shipping to the state of Alaska and Hawaii  because of logistics and temperatures issues. Common carriers occasionally hold shipments at a main hub until there were enough packages to warrant a delivery to outlying islands. Then there was the temperature issues. Even if the packages were delivered, they sometimes were left out in temperatures outside of the packages’ required maintenance temperature and beyond the packaging’s temperature-insulating capabilities, Packaging Digest reports.

Reshipping the products that were spoiled was costly, the pharmacy had to absorb as much as $1,500 for a single package and it ships more than 110,000 temperature-sensitive packages annually.

Then the pharmacy tried out Entropy Solution’s Greenbox, which can maintain a cold-chain prescription’s temperature for four days and an ambient-temperature prescription for more than five days. The pharmacy tried it and it resulted in 50 percent savings in shipping costs.

In addition to cost savings, the packaging is also recyclable and reusable. Entropy Solution says a single Greenbox can be used as many as 20 times through reclamation at one of its facilities. Even if a Greenbox is damaged, the company says its materials can be recycled to make new ones.

In July, Wal-Mart introduced a square shaped gallon milk jug to cut down on shipping costs.

Bookmark and Share Email this story Print this post Add your comments

Advertisers

Join the Discussion

Get EL Daily in your inbox, subscribe to free newsletter

Recent Daily News [ see all ]

  • 11/20/2009
  • 11/19/2009
  • 11/18/2009

Recent Jobs

Post a Job
Jobs powered by Simply Hired

Comments and Discussions

Gary Markowitz on Supermarkets Tackle Emissions Reductions, Fuel Efficiency
"Supermarkets waste over 10 percent of their energy through improper..."

peter in ireland on Ontario May Follow California’s Lead on TV Energy Efficiency
"Governor Schwarzenegger is shooting himself in the foot! 1...."

Environmental Leader on S. America Takes Most Urgent View of Copenhagen Talks
"The survey respondents (the PDF report mentions 4,000 respondents in 38..."

Jake on UPS Trying New Hydraulic Hybrid Trucks
"A point of clarification: the Reuters press release referenced herein reports that 20 UPS will purchase..."

Custom Organic Shirts on S. America Takes Most Urgent View of Copenhagen Talks
"90% of North Americans believe it is urgent to get a global climate..."

peter dublin on California City’s Green Building Ordinance Applies to Commercial Buildings
"Why energy efficiebnt regulation on buildings –..."