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What will a traceability blind spot cost your production line?

Just in the last decade, food giant Chipotle made history when it agreed to pay the largest fine in history – a whopping $25 million in response to its part in a sickness outbreak that would affect over 1,000 customers in a span of 3 years. Unfortunately, compromised food safety is a widely shared issue amongst manufacturers and distributors within food service. The costs of one communication gap may end up being incalculable when you factor in:

  • Lost hours of productivity as teams search for operational blind spots
  • Recall execution expenses such as setting up automated phone calls and postage for returned items
  • Severed distribution relationships as partner businesses must also adjust to recalls
  • Missed compliance fees and audits that come up after mistakes are noticed
  • Reverse logistics and storage as brands must process returned items while keeping them separated from uncompromised products.
  • Broken consumer trust as shoppers will avoid brands with a history of recalls even if it’s just from one event.

Even if spoiled products are identified before leaving facilities, businesses still take a heavy blow financially as products must be discarded.  Experts estimate food manufacturers and distributors can lose as much as $750 billion per year due to poor handling procedures, improper cold storage, and inaccurate data processing. Consequently, targeting blind spots within food distribution has become an undisputable priority.

Three technologies enhancing food safety visibility

Several next-generation devices are now built to simplify tracking and tracing workflows; however, because food service often runs into the challenges of cold storage, technology solutions must also be durable enough to protect real-time visibility. In our partnership with Zebra Technologies, we’ve seen the following technologies thrive in the challenges of maximizing food visibility:

  1. Bluetooth-enabled temperature sensors – Battery-operated Bluetooth sensors mitigate interference issues to protect undisrupted temperature tracking even after products leave the dock. Sensors can be read through any Bluetooth-compatible device for real-time storage verification as products travel down the supply chain. This trackable visibility allows businesses to quickly pinpoint and remediate inadequate temperatures before they harm products.
  2. Customized labels for crisp barcodes – As stated many times by many experts, identification labels are a lifeline for your products since they display vital information such as storage notes, handling instructions, and compliance codes. Constant movement throughout the distribution process can contribute to early label damage such as scratches, fading barcodes, and peeling. Therefore, to protect inventory identification, labels should be tailored for food handling, able to survive extreme temperature changes and long transportation. Zebra’s Certified Consumables fulfill these requirements in drawing strength from several pre-tested materials to ensure consistent performance anywhere they go.
  3. Fixed industrial scanners and machine vision – Multiple purchasing options, new markets, and updated compliance standards have created a more dynamic supply chain with multiple possibilities for blind spots. Consequently, automated fixed scanning and machine vision have taken center stage in seamlessly verifying product quality without halting productivity. Conduct simple track and trace and/or quality inspections across the whole supply chain with automatic visibility that connects to your WMS in real-time for less guesswork.

Selecting a visibility device is only a small part of complete solution design and deployment. To fully reap the benefits of higher operational visibility, we recommend starting with a full evaluation of your current workflow to target hidden blind spots. By assessing where they’re located, your team can then integrate a scalable solution that stays within allocated budgets while deploying future-forward technologies. By doing so, businesses not only protect transparent traceability, but they also prevent operations from being blindsided in the future by new changes.

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When it comes to mobile computers, you have lots of options. Let’s explore them.

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The mobile computer has become the face of modernized automation in today’s industries. From healthcare clinical devices to field service communicators, mobile devices have progressed technologically to streamline vital workflows for simplistic usage and upgrades. As a result, unique challenges have created a variety of different mobile capabilities, giving businesses more flexibility when selecting a modernized device. On the other hand, more options may equate to more confusion, which is why it’s important to assess your computing needs with the following questions:

  • What sort of workflows am I consolidating?

Android’s open ecosystem allows businesses to implement new applications to expand device functionality without extensive recoding; however, rugged devices like the new MC3300ax are built with integrated scanners, WiFi 6, and push-to-talk connectivity, enabling 2-way communication and automated data capture right out of the box without additional hardware. Learn more about the new MC3300ax in our video.

  • What scanning range do my employees need?

A field technician may not need to consistently capture barcodes 75ft away. Flexible scanning ranges such as the ones available in the MC3300ax allow businesses to reduce deployment costs by selecting devices perfected for the size of their space. In addition to scanning range, connectivity range should also be considered since captured data should essentially be digitally transmitted onto your WMS’ database without any disruptions.  

  • How rough is the work environment?

Micro-fulfillment warehouses located inside of stores or smaller urban areas can get by with less rugged devices compared to cold storage facilities. Zebra’s EC5x provides superior connectivity, data capture, and ease-of-use for store associates and growing warehouses whereas the ultra-rugged MC9300 can be customized with a freezer-ready screen and glove-friendly keyboard to withstand the temperature changes of cold storage environments. Regarding field service, the TC7x stands apart from in its class due to its flexible connectivity networks to protect long-range communication channels and its rugged outdoor-ready design. 

  • Do my workers need a keyboard?

Touchscreen devices have been shown to minimize training times since they resemble consumer-grade devices. However, keyboards facilitate heavy data entry without forcing workers to travel to a centralized computer station. Zebra’s TC8300 combines touchscreen simplicity and warehouse data applications within one touchscreen device to reduce the errors of manual data entry. For previously keyed workflows such as TE applications, Zebra’s All-Touch Terminal Emulation can convert green screen apps to fit touchscreen interfaces without extensive app rewriting. 

  • Which disparate devices are included in my solution? 

If workers will carry other devices such as mobile printers or scanners during their shift, a lightweight wearable computer like the WT6300 may be a better option in order to maximize worker comfort and integrate additional devices without overwhelming workers. 

Look through our complete Zebra portfolio to learn more about next-generation devices. 

How to start your upgrade

To select the best fit device for your mobility solution, we recommend first meeting with a modernization specialist to assess current workflow challenges and outline realistic implementation goals. Depending on your selected upgrade, your devices may be eligible for cash rebates if upgraded through the GO Zebra Trade-In Program. Eligible devices can be traded in for cash rebates in three steps: 

  1. Purchase your eligible Zebra device
  2. Submit a claim form within 90 days of your invoice date
  3. Trade in outdated devices from any manufacturer for up to $650 in rebates per device

Meet up with an Avalon modernization specialist today to get started.

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7 Things Power Carts Bring to Your Warehouse

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Today’s warehouses are navigating a multitude of challenges; however, two obstacles stand in attention-worthy contrast: high order volume and crippling labor shortages. While order fulfillment rates skyrocket from year to year, employee shortages have created an obstacle in accurately fulfilling the surplus of orders within a smaller timeframe. The Bureau of Labor reported that 45% of warehouse jobs remained unfilled by December of 2021. Meanwhile, labor turnover rates across industries has increased by 8%, costing up to 33% of an employee’s annual earnings to remediate. 

It is no surprise then that automation has become indispensable for warehouse survival. To alleviate pressures on fluctuating workforces while maintaining high order throughput, automated solutions must prioritize versatility, mobility, and ease-of-use. Combining these three factors in one solution, mobile workstations like Newcastle’s Power Carts empower distribution centers by delivering seven game-changing benefits:

  1. Rapid return of investment – By accelerating ROI, companies have more available resources to implement more automated and/or predictive measures. This protects business flexibility in the event of future disruptions. 
  2. 63% increase in ordering volume – By streamlining scanning and label printing through one mobile station, warehouse teams can label and verify orders in strategic places throughout the warehouse. Increased speed results in more orders being processed within smaller time frames since workers no longer need to wait in bottlenecks to print and label orders. 
  3. 50% productivity increase – Equipped with industrial printers like Zebra’s thermal printers, power carts also cut down wait time with faster printing speeds and higher label resolution. Moreover, because they are mobile, printing stations can also cut travel time, keeping workers productive instead of idle. 
  4. 5 to 10 hours of extra work saved – In addition to faster printing, automated data capture via Zebra’s ultra-rugged scanners connects workers to inventory data without losing a second. Real-time order and inventory updates eliminate the need for excessive end-of-shift reporting, further lowering labor costs. 
  5. 90% reduction in labeling errors – Unlike manual data entry, which is both error-prone and time-consuming, automated data capture and sharing reduces the likelihood of errors progressing down the supply chain. Fewer labeling errors also protect orders from mis-shipments and delays, increasing overall customer satisfaction. 
  6. Less bottlenecks for easier social distancing practices – New concerns regarding employee health and social distancing should discourage high employee density. By leveraging high-speed automated solutions, power carts reduce the time employees spend gathered around centralized printing stations, protecting them from unnecessary germ exposure.   
  7. 75% reduction in overtime – Fast-acting technologies are developed to streamline and simplify complex workflows, which means businesses can also expect to save money allocated to overtime. 

Learn more about all-in-one mobile workstations in our brochure, here. 

Depending on the nature of your facility, mobile workstations may bring additional benefits to your workflows. For a full overview of your opportunities, contact Avalon’s modernization specialists to schedule your workflow assessment.

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We’re (Finally) Unwrapping the Benefits of Zebra’s ET80/85 Tablet!

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From first responders to field technicians to manufacturers, today’s workflows depend on agile performance from workers and technologies alike. Fast real-time updates prevent communication breakdowns, expand inventory control, and facilitate employee tracking, all culminating into maximized uptime and lowered operational costs. To accomplish this in a myriad of environments, Zebra’s newest 2-in-1 Windows Tablet was developed with flexibility in mind. Joining the versatility of an enterprise Windows platform with dependable security and high durability standards, the rugged tablet is expected to redefine enterprise flexibility as noted in our Product Knowledge video below:

The Delay is Over: Transform your Workflows with one Future-Forward Solution.

As supply chains and crucial operations become ever more connected, next generation technologies must aim at expanding accessibility to diffuse vital data safely and efficiently across the entire workforce. This allows workers to cultivate teamwork in any environment by:

  • Enabling remote workflow monitoring – Windows 10 delivers real-time visibility to connected devices. Moreover, the tablet’s detachable keyboard provides a laptop functionality suitable for administrators, thus standardizing device selection across the whole operation.  
  • Preventing data breaches – Multiple authentication layers, credential validation, and Windows Hello facial recognition allow users to have tiered security levels, preventing accidental sharing or cyberattacks. 
  • Unifying entire teams in and out the four walls – Connectivity is indispensable to ensure smooth workflows. That’s why the ET80/85 leverages several connectivity options such as 5G, Bluetooth, and even WiFi 6 to help teams plan and update routes based on real-time information. Further sustain team communication with Zebra’s Workforce Connect for push-to-talk capabilities and secured text messaging, all deployed through your tablet. 
  • Facilitating on-the-spot quality control – Continuing the legacy of purpose-built technologies, the ET80/85 integrates a handheld scanner along with high resolution cameras for on-the-spot data capture. For manufacturers, this means quality control can happen in multiple locations within workflows to prevent recalls and ascertain traceability. 

In addition to these benefits, expected high durability and ergonomic factors are still in place, safeguarding ease of use and device longevity. Download the ET80/85 fact sheet to see more new benefits. 

How to make it yours:

As a Zebra Premier Solutions’ Partner, Avalon facilitates modernization by removing the obstacles of device procurement, software integration, staging and kitting, and more. To see how and where Zebra’s new tablet benefits your workflows, schedule a preliminary modernization assessment with our specialists and carefully evaluate optimization areas in your facility.

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How will you avoid the next recall?

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In a span of a decade, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) along with the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) have reported a 125% increase in food recalls. In 2020, the FSIS recorded a total of 1,394,585 pounds of recalled products, pulled from markets due to pathogens, allergens, presence of extraneous materials, and import violations. Studies show that grievous tracking and traceability gaps have been responsible for:

  • 47% of recalls stemming from microbiological contamination
  • $3.7 billion spent in medical treatments for salmonella 
  • Nearly 8.5 million food units recalled yearly by the FDA
  • 601,969 pounds of recalled chicken in 2020 alone

While these numbers are ominous, one of the primary reasons behind the increase in recalls are traceability technology and new safety regulations. Real-time tracking and labeling systems now provide easier verification of compliance codes in food safety. That means manufacturers can target and catch more mistakes than before with the help of new intelligent tools and better safety parameters set by the FDA, FSIS, and CDC. However, while timely recalls can prevent pathogen outbreaks, they quickly erode consumer trust. An estimated 80% of consumers do not completely trust brands to ensure safety, and over a third report avoiding businesses associated with food-borne illnesses for many months. Therefore, visibility systems must prioritize early detection to keep compromised products from leaving facilities in the first place. 

The key to establish real-time alerts based on actionable data

Less communication gaps empowers teams with a clear overview of how products are handled, packaged, stored, and moved. Labeling systems paired with handheld scanners and mobile computers can help eliminate gaps by transcribing data from each step into a centralized shareable database. On the other hand, new rugged tablets like Zebra’s ET80/85 2-in-1 tablets emphasize the power of agile adaptability in securing food safety by:

  • Providing a lightweight consolidated computer and scanner – Despite having an integrated scanner and higher durability standards, the ET80/85 is 20% lighter and 35% thinner for easy portability. Its larger screen size permits workers to monitor products at-a-glance when operating forklifts or other heavy machinery.
  • Facilitating data entry with a detachable keyboard – Keep workflows standardized with a device that adapts to preferred data entry mechanisms for administrators and production teams alike. Detachable keyboards and universal mounting options allow the ET80/85 to fit into different work environments, simplifying training and accelerating deployment. 
  • Reducing connection drops through flexible connectivity options – Leveraging several connectivity options such as WiFi 6E, 4G/5G, and Bluetooth, the ET80/85 prevents downtime and breakdowns from signal drops within the four walls, keeping your vital data constantly available to your workforce. This also means workers can update WIPs, notifications, and compliance codes in real-time for entire teams to track. 
  • Deploying seamless push-to-talk and secured texting – Lastly, Zebra’s Workforce Connect empowers manufacturers with real-time communication between individual workers and entire groups, all streamlined through one platform. Moreover, connectivity can extend beyond the four walls, allowing transportation teams and retailers to verify shipments are ready for sale. 

To efficiently start securing real-time workflow visibility, begin with a comprehensive operational assessment to target recurring points of communication breakdowns. Contact Avalon to start your assessment today and learn more about the next generation of technologies devoted to dependable food safety.

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What is the Barcode Printing Program, and why should you enroll for the new year?

Current supply chain challenges have solidified the consistent need for intelligent automation. However, solution integration can increase operational expenses beyond hardware purchases. Between software integration, employee training, and eventual maintenance and tech support, warehouses expecting to deploy automated solutions expect to pay thousands of dollars in deployment alone. Consequently, there remains a fourth of warehouses uncommitted to enhanced automation for a myriad of reasons including:

  • Lack of time to deploy
  • Lack of affordable options
  • Employee turnover rates being faster than training times
  • Older devices still functioning well 

Nevertheless, automation continues to enable faster picking rates, higher accuracy rates, and greater inventory control. As a result, Avalon’s labeling experts have decided to partner with several enterprise leaders in simplifying scalable barcoding automation through the new Barcode Printing Program. 

One access-point to countless automation opportunities. 

By streamlining the solution design process, warehouses can expect a smoother deployment process to reduce costs and get workers more accustomed to new barcoding systems for faster ROI. This is accomplished with the following components:

  1. Adaptable printing hardware – Drawing from a partnership with several enterprise-ready brands, printers are selected according to your printing volume, projected goals, and budget requirements. Furthermore, adaptable devices such as Zebra’s line of thermal printers secure high printing speeds and resolutions within user-friendly units for simplistic deployment and scalability. 
  2. Intelligent printing software and applications – White hardware is obviously crucial, printing software, operating systems, and applications work hand in hand to expand the printer’s capabilities, protect passing data, and facilitate remote management. For example, PrintDNA applications enable seamless PDF printing from ERP systems, access levels to previously printed data, and remote battery management to prevent battery failure in the middle of a shift. Different applications and software can be added to your existing printing solution, eliminating the need for a complete system upgrade. 
  3. Durable labels that match application environments – Comprising less than 10% of total operational expenses, labels still play a vital role in supply chain efficiency. As a result, it is recommended labels be thoroughly tested to survive application and storage environments. Working with leading label developers, our specialists work with you in tailoring label size, color, surface, adhesive strength, and more to ensure its dependability.

In addition to careful solution design and deployment, the Barcode Printing Program also provides recurrent technical support for any update and repairs that arise. Close relationships with brands also provide insights and first glances at new technologies and solutions, giving you the competitive advantage. 

Take the first step towards scalable efficiency and enroll today into Avalon’s Barcode Printing Program to start exploring technologies that match your operational goals and needs.

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4 Costly Consequences of Subpar Barcode Printing – And how to avoid them

While printing supplies cost less than ten percent of a business’ total expenses, enterprise labels play a key role in securing smooth product movement down the supply chain. Carrying several identification codes, such as shipping address, storage instructions, and SKU number, crisp barcodes are part of your inventory’s first defense against misplacements. Fading, peeling, and smudged barcodes are among the principal causes of preventable setbacks such as:

  1. Product shrinkage – Two years ago, product shrinkage cost retailers over $40 billion due to misplacements, spoilage, and theft. When labels aren’t optimized to withstand extreme temperatures between multiple locations, adhesives may lose strength and peel, thus falling away with the crucial information your teams need to accurately fulfill orders. 
  2. Delivery delays – New studies show that over a fifth of deliveries were late within the first quarter of 2021. That number is expected to rise dramatically by the end of the holiday season for all major parcel delivery services. Worsening the labor shortage crisis, underperforming labels stall productivity as they must be rescanned or even re-labeled, setting distributors at a disadvantage in today’s fast-paced market. 
  3. Missed audits and compliances – Lack of label legibility may require teams to record inventory counts manually, thus enabling manual data entry errors. Missed errors and inaccurate counts provide a skewed view of total operational expenses and storage, resulting in further costs and fees. Moreover, without storage instructions, temperature-sensitive inventory can spoil, further increasing risks of recalls and compliance fees. 
  4. Printer downtime – Lastly, poorly-made labels are often tightly wound, leading to adhesive leaks that damage printer feeders. Sandpaper-like label surfaces also scratch [printheads causing premature failure and downtime. Without functioning printers, warehouses face costly bottlenecks and downtime costing as much as $100,000 per hour. 

To support manageable operational costs, underperforming labels should be readily replaced by an enterprise-ready alternative. While there are several labeling options available nowadays, customized printing supplies, like Zebra’s Certified Consumables, continue to stand as one your best options for the following reasons:

  • Compatibility with your exact application requirements – Labels can be tailored to survive extreme temperatures, condensation, humidity, abrasion, and any other unique challenges in your environment. 
  • Built from pre-tested materials for consistent quality – Zebra’s certified labels are only built from materials passing through their 23-point performance test, thus ensuring dependable functionality in a myriad of use cases. 
  • Selected perforation and folding preferences – New label technology has given way to linerless, dissolvable, and even metal-friendly RFID labels, expanding the range of efficient labeling beyond the four walls. 
  • Faster label replenishment – With four label convertor facilities scattered across North America, Zebra labels can be quickly replenished to avoid downtime. 

To learn more about how you can customize your enterprise labels, contact our labeling experts here.

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What to Look for in Your RFID Tag

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A little over a third of warehouses are investing in technology plans to integrate RFID as a foundational part of their automation plans. From increased inventory control to real-time asset visibility, RFID tracking is known for facilitating instant locationing and 99.99% accuracy. However, several steps are crucial to ensure seamless and scalable RFID tracking. One of these steps involves assessing the best fit RFID tag to avoid damaging interference. When building a reliable RFID tracking system, consider the following components in your RFID tag:

  1. Application environment – While RFID can carry a myriad of benefits to even the most unique warehouses, tags can be severely impacted by certain kinds of surfaces such as metals and liquids. Fortunately, newer tag technology like Zebra’s on-metal labels can be engineered to retain legibility on dense materials, yet preliminary surface considerations should be made to verify if a different tracking system is the best fit.
  2. Frequency type – Tags frequencies can involve low, high, or ultrahigh frequencies depending on the reader’s distance and processing speeds. Low frequencies generally cost less and are more resistant to water and metal applications. On the other hand, high frequency tags sport larger memory capacity and easier readability for more accurate first-time scans. Lastly, ultrahigh frequencies can be read from 25 feet away or more while identifying entire containers of shipped goods in mere seconds. However, ultrahigh frequencies are more sensitive to application environments, limiting their use.
  3. Composition of your tag – As with any other kind of label, adhesive strength and surface type play a large role in label longevity. Improper adhesive strength can lead to peeled and torn edges, thus hindering legibility. Although rough surfaces may not implicate scanning, they damage printheads overtime, leading to premature printhead failure and costly downtime.
  4. Memory capacity – Larger tag capacities can hold greater details, yet they are not always necessary. Therefore, investing in smaller memory capacity can dramatically lower operational costs without compromising your solution’s functionality. In contrast, higher memory tags may employ better encryption for dependable data security and accuracy.

Designing a suitable label with Zebra’s Certified Inlays

Built with stringently tested materials for consistent performance, Zebra’s Certified Consumables can be customized to match your application and environment requirements without printer voids. Tags can be tailored to…

  • Survive high temperatures, moisture, UV light, etc.
  • Accommodate desired memory space without burdening your budget
  • Match challenging surfaces like metal, water, and dense materials
  • Stick onto smaller curved surfaces with flag designs

With so many different options available, the most suitable first step is to schedule an RFID consultation to assess your workflows’ compatibility with RFID tracking systems. In doing so, your team can work with RFID specialists to design a tailored visibility solution combining readers, tags, and software that adapts to your operational needs.

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How to integrate small best practices for sustainable warehousing

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Shaping modern warehousing from the inside out, demands for sustainable practices have skyrocketed, with a 71% increase in searches for sustainably sourced and packaged products. To retain customer loyalty, warehouses and distribution centers can no longer afford to overlook operational sustainability. Moreover, as supply chain issues continue, eco-friendly practices can also help minimize costs and downtime since versatile technologies aim at reducing e-waste, thus streamlining several vital workflows through one rugged device for less future decommissioned devices. In addition to a smaller carbon footprint, sustainable warehousing promotes:

  • Consolidated workflows for less deployed devices and reduced management costs
  • Future-proof operating systems to prevent early decommissioning
  • Durable printheads and smooth surface labels that mitigate premature printhead failure
  • Less paper-based data tracking thanks to automated scanning capabilities

Explore your sustainable modernization options

To further facilitate your sustainable plan, next-generation technologies strive to support the qualities discussed above. For example, Zebra’s Rugged Tablets hold EPEAT certifications, thus complying with multiple stringent standards while automating data capture. Whether through rugged tablets or mobile computers, sustainable warehousing can be achieved through…

  1. Eco-friendly upgrades that guarantee proper recycling – As businesses move toautomate repetitive tasks, concerns for improper e-waste disposal grow. To prevent outdated devices from hitting landfills, Avalon continues in its partnership with the GO Zebra Program, assisting businesses in trading legacy devices from any manufacturer for Zebra’s next-evolution devices along with cash rebates up to $650 per device.
  2. Minimum operational lifespan of five to ten years for mobile devices – Unlike consumer-grade devices which typically last between one to two years, enterprise-devices running on Android’s OS can last up to 10 years with uncompromised data security thanks to silent yet recurring updates and security patches.
  3. Durable external design to withstand rough use – Optimize reliable operations with durability that is built to handle drops to concrete, rain, snow, dust, extreme heat, subzero temperatures, and liquids. Zebra’s Rugged Tablets are waterproof, dustproof, and drop-proof, so your workers get the ultimate in usability. When devices are built to survive harsher conditions, businesses can also avoid wasteful downtime and breakdowns, decreasing operational costs, IT visits, and eventual device disposal.
  4. Reliable battery management – Lastly, to reduce risks of improper battery disposal and sudden device malfunction, applications similar to Zebra’s PowerPrecision can pinpoint a battery’s lifespan and performance. This enables workflows to preempt problems before they impact productivity while tracking retired batteries to prevent improper disposal.

With the correct technologies, even the smallest changes can greatly improve sustainable warehousing. For more small-scale changes and implementations, contact Avalon’s modernization experts to learn more.

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3 Ways to Implement Sustainable Labeling in the Warehouse

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The rise in consumer demands for sustainable and environmentally conscious warehousing has skyrocketed within the past years as more consumers grow concerned with the environmental impact of their preferred brands. While recycling and trade-in programs can reduce e-waste in the warehouse, there are other efficient small-scale solutions to reduce environmental impacts. Despite accounting for less than 10% of your operation’s total expenses, enterprise labels significantly contribute to warehouse waste over time. Labels and other paper waste contribute to the 85,000,000 tons of paper waste hitting landfills per year, and product packaging is usually first in the most disposed paper products. Although reducing paper waste may require more effort than label optimization, your consumables are still a good place to start when creating a sustainable warehouse. 

Evaluating your operations to ensure environmental sustainability is crucial to make sure you are getting everything out of your labels. A proactive label evaluation can help establish visibility and cut down on unnecessary costs by pinpointing areas where better labels can be implemented. The goal should be to create a labeling system that empowers:

  • Waste reduction – To accomplish this, many businesses are now turning to linerless labels, thus removing the additional paper waste from the adhesive backing. Another way to avoid paper waste is by preventing labor jams through purpose-built printheads and easier media loading.
  • Easy reutilization– For businesses reusing labeled containers, new tag options like dissolvable labels allow businesses to easily wash away adhesives without leaving behind any residual glue that can prevent new labels from sticking. Paper fibers are environmentally friendly to prevent water pollution. 
  • Seamless recycling at the end of the supply chain – Evaluate how your labeled items are entering and exiting the market. If labeled items are received by another facility within your business, you can maintain control of the handling or disposal of these items.

Streamline high performance with certified printing supplies

Building on a long history of warehouse optimization, Zebra’s certified labels continue to provide a scalable and adaptable way to improve supply chain workflows and meet customer demands. Designed to retain legibility even in the harshest conditions, the following three labels prioritize sustainability and decreased environmental impact while protecting maximum uptime: 

  1. Take sustainability a step further at its face with adhesive that readily dissolves under running water, further reducing waste and pollutants with the 8000D Dissolvable Label. These labels provide a more efficient means to removing disposable labels for seamless reutilization of containers and bins. 
  2. Eliminate the need for a liner with Zebra’s Linerless Labels. To reduce extraneous amounts of paper waste, Zebra’s linerless labels do not need a thermal printing ribbon and gives workflows more labels per roll along with a scratch-resistant and smooth surface for maximized printhead performance.
  3. Enable easy recycling to lower the amount of packaging that hits landfills with the PolyE 4000D Label and Z-Perform 1000DF Label. Made from consistently tested materials, these labels are engineered to comply with environmental standards for easy recycling. 

When it comes to driving sustainability in the modern warehouse, every small detail can create a long and lasting impact. Contact us today to being your comprehensive label evaluation and see how you can reduce costs and waste in your operations.

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