Collapsible plastic crates are a common sight these days yet still relatively little is known about them. This website aims to provide you with information about they are used, where they come from and lots more interesting information that you never realised existed.
What Are Collapsible Plastic Crates Used For?
Collapsible plastic crates are used for a variety of different uses including:
Shopping – Domestic and commercial. Most of the products that you see in the shops today have got there in a collapsible plastic crate of some variety. Transporting fruit and veg by in crates is great because it keeps the contents well protected on it’s journey from being picked to arriving at your local shop. Some fruit and veg can travel thousands of miles across different continents by a combination of air, rail and road so it’s important that they have all the protection available.
Plastic crates are also taking the place of plastic bags and are being used by consumers to take products home with them. Unlike plastic bags, crates can be reused over and over again and because they collapse can also be easily stored between shopping trips.
Good for the environment – As mentioned above, collapsible plastic crates are normally very rugged and can be used many times before they need to be replaced. They therefore reduce the need for disposable packaging which can only be used once before it ends up in a landfill site.
Camping/Caravanning - Crates are great for those that like to go away camping or caravanning as they are quite waterproof so will protect equipment from the rain.
Furniture – Chic artists from around the world have started to use rates in an artistic way by using them as various furniture. Commonly this means they are coffee tables but there have been a couple of instances where beds have been made out of them!
Storage – An obvious use but one worth mentioned. Rather than storing your valuables or memories in a cardboard box you are far better of storing it in a plastic crate. It will provide far better protection from dust and moisture and keep whatever you are storing in far better condition.
What are collapsible plastic crates made from?
Collapsible plastic crates tend to be made from recycled plastic, which is another reason why they are so good for the environment. The type of recycled plastic will vary greatly dependant on the final use of the create. Some plastics are stronger than other so it’s depends if the crate will be carrying heavy loads or not.
What are the downsides?
As the plastic crates get more and more wear, the moving parts that enable them to fold down are prone to breaking which of course means the crate cannot be collapsed and therefore renders it quite useless. It’s important to check the moving areas if you are purchasing collapsible crates second hand.
