Sourcing the boxes

Seven types of boxes are used, six of them bearing the Switcher logo. All are supplied by Model Emballages SA of Moudon, a corporate member of the European Federation of Corrugated Cardboard Manufacturers (FEFCO) and ICCA, and certified ISO 9001 since 1994. The proportion of recycled material used to manufacture the boxes varies between 38% and 80% according to format and quality.

All boxes fabricated by Model Emballages are stamped VSW (Swiss Association of Corrugated Cardboard Manufacturers) and controlled by the Swiss product testing organization EMPA. As further measures of environmental protection, Model Emballages uses only flexo-standard inks that are free from heavy metal constituents and cellulose bleaching is chlorine-free. All seven box formats have been designed to form europalette modules.

Cost economy and recycling

Unre-usable boxes are sorted, separated from plastic materials (polybags, strapping), compressed and sent for recycling as paper pulp (cardboard can be recycled up to seven times). As often as possible, in the interests of economizing on box use and handling costs, suppliers' cartons are used right through to final delivery to the customer.

Our recommendations

Our boxes are designed to withstand several shipments. We recommend to our customers that they use them a second time, for example for deliveries to their own customers (industry) or for their end-of-season returns (boutiques); or for any other purpose. With their adhesive fastenings removed, the boxes can be stored flat for efficient use of space. We encourage our customers to hold on to a few of each dimension for future use. Unwanted cartons will be collected free by waste disposal services for recycling.