Nothing Goes to Waste: Shipping Used Products

For waste management to be effective, recyclable or used products need to be collected and transported as efficiently as possible. For example, when shipping wastepaper, either domestically or internationally, typically 20 or 40-foot containers are filled with bales before being shipped to recycling facilities or paper mills. Once there, the wastepaper cargo is processed and decontaminated before being transformed into new paper products.

Shipping used products helps contribute to the reduction of waste and the environmental impact that comes with discarding certain products. In turn, this practice aligns with the principles of a circular economy, helping to minimise the strain on natural resources and ultimately emphasising our approach to resource management.


Shipping used products such as scrap ferrous metals, the extraction of which can cause air pollution and is highly energy intensive has several advantages. Aside from resource conservation, waste reduction, and less pollution, reusing existing items also helps preserve biodiversity and minimise the ecological damage caused by extracting pure resources from natural habitats.


Economically, shipping used, or waste products has numerous benefits. Purchasing used products is often more affordable for consumers, which helps contribute to a diverse and accessible marketplace, and helps businesses expand their potential customer base. Equally, shipping used products also helps reduce the manufacturing costs that come with creating new products specifically, while also promoting resource efficiency. This helps ensure the overall economic sustainability of a business and brings corporate social responsibility (CSR) benefits and a positive brand reputation.