GreenSmart Return-Reuse Programs
Cold Chain Technologies (CCT) offers a return-reuse program which can easily be customized for each customer application, allowing for the economical reuse of many types of cold chain systems, including KoolTemp shippers and Koolit refrigerants/PCMs. The program involves reverse logistics management, product refurbishment, quality assurance to original performance standards, warehousing and shipping upon various demand triggers.
Upon return to our reclamation centers, in both the U.S. and Europe, each component is carefully inspected to original specifications and standards, cleaned as required and replaced as needed. Most components can be reused many times, significantly reducing the total packaging cost per customer shipment. Items which need to be replaced can, in most cases, be recycled.
The GreenSmart Return-Reuse Program allows customers to access real-time information regarding the number of systems in the program loop, where they are in the process and how many refurbished systems are available to ship.
Return for Recycling & Reuse
Many KoolTemp and Koolit components are physically robust enough to be used for multiple service cycles while maintaining thermal performance properties. Molded urethane, vacuum insulated panels (VIPs), and phase change materials (PCMs) are examples of components that can be reused.
Properly managed reuse programs present real opportunities for significant cost savings. It is often quite cost effective to set up a closed loop return and reuse program. In many cases, even including the cost of return freight, the cost of refurbished units is much less than that of new units. While reducing costs, environmental and sustainability objectives are also well served.
In this scenario, a new unit is paid for at initial purchase, and only a return/refurbishment charge is paid after each subsequent cycle of refurbishment. Refurbished units can be stored at CCT until needed, or sent directly back to you for stocking. Key components are bar coded for process and life tracking and a custom web portal (customer summary page example shown above) is available for you to manage your inventory within the program.
CCT can employ methods such as including pre-printed and pre-paid shipping labels and/or containers to encourage the likelihood of return, and thus minimize the cost-per-use of the product.
Pay per Use
In this program, you pay a fixed usage charge every time you use a shipper, which is significantly less than the purchase price of a new unit. You are billed the pay-per-use charge, and a deposit, when shippers are sent to you for use in response to your orders.
Orders may be filled with either new or refurbished units, depending on supply of returned shippers. Shipper assemblies are tracked, and your deposit is credited when they are returned, less any charges for damaged or lost components. Minimum quantities are typically required.
Return for Disposal of Koolit Refrigerant PCMs
CCT will dispose of your Koolit Refrigerant PCMs at no charge. You can collect used PCM components and arrange bulk shipment back to us at your expense, when scenarios allow. We can facilitate single use returns by providing pre-printed return labels in the shippers for your end users to use when arranging return shipment.
Case Study
In 2009, Cold Chain worked with a large global pharmaceutical manufacturer to customize a program for a bulk pallet shipper. These shippers are used to send large quantities of drug product from manufacturing sites in the U.S. to distribute points in Europe. Once safely delivered, the used pallet shippers are then collected in Europe, packed in containers and returned to our reclamation center in Holliston, Massachusetts.
The cost of the reclaimed shippers is significantly less than the original purchase price - including all transport costs. Total savings due to shipper refurbishment and increased turns amounted to over $1 million per year.
For More Information ...
To learn how we can help you recapture your investment on KoolTemp systems & Koolit refrigerant/PCMs, contact CCT Customer Service or Sales at 1.800.370.8566 and ask about our reuse program.