Eco-Friendly Packaging
REELEX packaging is one of the most environmentally-friendly disposable packaging options available. Because the REELEX coil does not need to rotate and is completely self-supporting, there is no need for any internal structure in the package. Thus, REELEX packages are essentially just containers that can be manufactured using a variety of different materials, including recycled post-consumer paperboard.
Green Packaging
When compared with other packaging methods, REELEX allows the greatest opportunity to use recyclable, reusable, compostable, and reclaimed materials.
Typical REELEX boxes utilize up to 80% compostable materials per package, with the remaining 20% being easily recycled. What’s more, the materials used in REELEX packages can be manufactured using up to 90% reclaimed paper - further reducing environmental impact.
Recently, many manufacturers have switched from virgin corrugated material to using post-consumer cardboard in their REELEX boxes. As a result, the REELEX package becomes part of the most successful recycling programs in the world: corrugated recycling. In 2007, 78.3% of all corrugated was recovered for recycling, and this percentage is increasing every year.
For more information on corrugated recycling and materials, please visit: www.corrugated.org
Less Waste
Because spools, reels and reel-in-box packaging require a central drum to dispense the product, attaching the drum to the flanges of the reel requires some method of secure fastening. Typically, metal rods or plastic are used for this purpose. While strengthening the reel, these same components that give the package its strength also mean reels and spools are difficult to disassemble, and even more difficult to recycle. Thus, the entire reel usually gets thrown away, contributing to tons of waste every year. What's more, because spools and reels rarely get broken down prior to disposal, the volume they take up in landfills is enormous compared to their weight.
REELEX boxes collapse and compress easily, or can be cut into strips or shredded; thus minimizing disposal volume. For maximum environmental footprint reduction, the Reuser Case system utilizes a single package for thousands of coils; thereby reducing per-coil waste to near zero.
Paper Fiber Tube
REELEX has always led the way in eco-friendly wire and cable packaging, as over 95% percent of the complete paperboard box package is compostable and can be manufactured from renewable resources. However, REELEX payout tubes have always been made from plastic; a recyclable, but not compostable material.
Introducing a REELEX II® tube made from the same substance as the rest of the package: paper fiber. This new fiber tube is manufactured using a thermoformed pulp process typically used for fabricating secondary packaging. This process was chosen based on its ability to produce dimensionally precise, durable products that can be produced cheaply and efficiently.
And because thermoformed pulp uses a renewable, organic resource (wood pulp), and fits into an existing globally-accepted recycling program, it is one of the most eco-friendly and cost-effective processes available. As a result, raw materials are plentiful, cheap, and sustainable.
The new fiber tube functions identically as the existing REELEX II plastic tube, with some minor improvements. The high-density, high-pressure thermoform press and combination of post-consumer newsprint and kraft fibers result in a tube that is extremely strong and resistant to breaking. Moisture resistance tests reveal the new tube to be highly resilient in wet and humid conditions, as the tube maintains structure and payout performance even when saturated with water.
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| Material | Recycling and Disposal | Performance | Availability and Pricing |
| Up to 70% Post-Consumer Recycled Kraft, 30% Post-Consumer Recycled Newsprint | Can be placed in same container as other paper/cardboard recycling (including empty REELEX boxes). Will biodegrade in 2-3 months depending on conditions. | Payout performance is equal to, or better than existing REELEX II tubes. | 2Q, 2010 - Contact us for more information |
The new fiber tube functions identically to the existing REELEX II plastic tube, with some minor improvements. The new tubes can be used in all REELEX II applications with no changes required on most REELEX coiling machines. For D-2000 operators, a tube inserter upgrade kit is available.
When combining the typical paperboard box REELEX package with the new fiber tube, the entire REELEX package becomes the only disposable, end-user packaging for wire, cable and fiber optics that is 100% recyclable, 100% compostable and made entirely from renewable, post-consumer materials.