The buying public has embraced next- or same-day delivery. They’ve had enough of out-of-stock items.  People do not want to hear, “You’ll have to wait.” This immediate availability expectation propels warehouses and distribution centers to find solutions that move products from inventory to shelves faster and more cost-effectively.

Businesses must continuously balance customer expectations with inventory costs. Too much inventory takes up space and hurts the bottom line, while not enough inventory means empty shelves and customer dissatisfaction. One way to help balance supply and demand pressures is to use containers that optimize space without compromising quality.

Nesting totes are one option. These storage products can maximize square footage by effectively leveraging vertical space. When nesting totes are full, they can move through a warehouse quickly, and when empty, they can be nested and save space. This flexibility enables retailers and manufacturers to simplify their storage needs by using one product in multiple roles.

What are Nesting Totes?

Nesting totes are storage containers that can rest inside same-sized containers. Restaurant staff use nesting containers to clear tables, and anyone familiar with air travel will recognize the bins used for passing items and bags through security screening. Imagine how much slower security checkpoints would be without nesting bins!

Nesting totes also don’t have to be made in just one color—institutional grey. Manufacturers sell totes in a variety of colors, sizes, and materials. Totes can be made from metal, plastic, stainless steel, fiberglass, and high-density polyethylene. Some manufacturers offer optional lids. This versatility makes nesting totes an ideal choice for warehouses and distribution centers where every inch matters.

Why Use PostalTotes Nesting Totes?

Nesting totes are a cost-effective way to collect, ship, and store products. These products can optimize floor space by allowing vertical nesting. PostalTotes nesting totes are made from corrugated plastic, giving them durability and flexibility. Totes can also help with:

Streamlining Operations

Because PostalTotes’ nesting totes have optional lids, warehouse staff can use a single tote for picking and packing. Adding lids makes the totes shippable, eliminating the need to transfer items from one container to another. Reducing the need for unpacking and repacking bins reduces the chances of product loss due to human error or mishandling.

Nesting capabilities mean maximizing storage space. Bins stack securely and are less likely to collapse. Weight gets distributed evenly, avoiding misaligned, wobbly stacks that can easily tip over.

Enhancing Workflow

Nesting bins come in a range of sizes. Some are designed for heavier loads, while others can meet cold storage requirements by adding cooling agents. Bins can also adapt to various applications, such as automated storage and retrieval systems (ASRS), ensuring a seamless workflow.

Increasing Cost Savings

Nesting totes made from high-density plastic are durable and can be used multiple times without needing to be replaced. Their durability extends their functional life, reducing replacement costs, while nesting features decrease the floor space required to store empty containers.

Using nesting totes instead of shelving can save up to 80% of your available storage space. There’s no need to purchase or rent more storage space. Nesting totes optimize available space for a better return on investment (ROI).

Protecting the Environment

Sustainability should be an integral concern for any business. PostalTotes’ nesting totes are reusable, adding years to the life of a single container. Fewer containers mean less stress on natural resources and production facilities. This feature also reduces the amount of waste produced each year. PostalTotes’ nesting totes fit perfectly into the objectives of a circular economy: Reduce, reuse, and recycle.

Case in Point

When one of the top three pharmacies in the US needed custom totes, it turned to PostalTotes. This company had an existing conveyor system but needed containers that fit the system and its products. They also needed a way to transport products through the facility from picking to shipping without taking up valuable space. Once the totes were empty, pharmacies stored the bins until they were picked up and returned to the distribution center.

PostalTotes’ nesting totes were a perfect match for the pharmacy’s needs. Like any storage facility, space is crucial for a well-run operation. Our nesting totes allowed this company to condense the empty totes vertically when not being used. As new orders came in, their workers placed the totes on a conveyor belt and sent them on for fulfillment. In this case, totes had optional lids, so they could also be used as shipping containers. The pharmacy’s closed circular system was designed so that the stores would return the empty totes to the distribution center for reuse after unpacking the orders.

The nesting totes also maximized available storage space at each pharmacy. Once empty, the totes could be nested rather than stacked, making for more stable vertical storage. Shipping empty nesting totes back to the distribution center also required less space, which kept logistics costs low.

PostalTotes Solutions

Whether you’re looking for a custom solution that will work with your automated system or off-the-shelf containers to optimize space, PostalTotes’ solution will meet your needs. Our nesting totes are designed for multiple applications, such as manufacturing, warehousing, and shipping. We offer more than 26 sizes and five colors that can work with conveyors, picks, and ASRS systems. Contact us to discuss your specific requirements, and we’ll work with you to find the ideal solution.