What Is Transport (Tertiary) Packaging?
Transport packaging—also known as tertiary packaging—includes the materials used to secure, protect, and unitize products during distribution, typically never seen by consumers. Common examples include:
- Stretch film / pallet wrap (LLDPE, HDPE, bioplastics)
- Plastic corner boards, slip sheets, and straps
- Pallets (wood or plastic)
- Reusable containers, bins, and covers
These materials are essential for protecting product integrity in transit but have traditionally been linear and disposable—used once, then discarded or landfilled.
Why Transport Packaging Is Ready for Circular Transformation
Unlike consumer packaging, transport packaging:
- Is consolidated at distribution centers (ideal for recovery or reuse)
- Often made from high-value, recyclable materials
- Has minimal branding, reducing complexity in reuse systems
- Moves through closed-loop systems, enabling better tracking
This makes it uniquely positioned to be one of the first areas where companies can pivot from linear to circular models—with high recovery rates, low contamination, and strong ROI.
EPR Laws Are Already Targeting Transport Packaging
As Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) legislation spreads, transport packaging is increasingly under scrutiny. Here’s a quick overview by state:
How Recirculated Helps You Stay Ahead
Recirculated is the only solution provider purpose-built to help companies navigate EPR for transport packaging—offering turnkey circular alternatives that reduce cost, increase recovery, and eliminate regulatory risk.
Our tools and capabilities include:
- Reusable pallet wraps and bioplastic film systems
- Fee mitigation audits and reporting dashboards
- Lean Six Sigma-driven transitions with no disruption to operations
- TRUE® and ZeroWasteUSA-aligned programs for facility certification
- A growing Circular Network™ for reuse, collection, and resale
We make it simple to shift away from single-use—without adding cost or complexity.
Great supply chains leave nothing behind.™
We help companies accelerate their transition from linear to circular, sustainable supply chains. As Packaging EPR laws and consumer expectations evolve rapidly, we position our partners to stay ahead of compliance costs and shifting market demands.
Take Action
Avoid rising EPR costs and gain control over your transport packaging stream. Recirculated can help you:
- Get a free EPR cost exposure assessment
- Pilot reusable or circular transport packaging systems
- Access plug-and-play compliance tools tailored to your operations
Join the companies transforming transport packaging from a cost center into a competitive advantage.