Cardboard Octabins: The smart choice for strong, sustainable bulk packaging
As the demand for smarter, stronger, and more sustainable packaging continues to grow across a wide range of industries, cardboard Octabins are fast becoming the go-to option for bulk goods. Designed to reduce costs, save space, and protect heavy loads during transit, Octabin packaging offers a reliable alternative to traditional crates and containers.
From custom sizing to moisture-resistant liners and recyclable materials, this packaging solution ticks all the right boxes. In this blog, we reveal why more businesses are making the switch from traditional crates and containers - and how Octabins could give your packaging strategy a serious upgrade and your business a boost.
Engineered to fit
Cardboard Octabins can be designed to fit your specific pallet size, load weight and shipping requirements, ensuring full compliance with export regulations.
Whether you're transporting fresh produce, meat, powders or polymers bespoke design options mean Octabin packaging can be fully customised to make sure your storage and shipping requirements are met.
With export-ready Octabins you can reduce wasted space, improve stacking stability and get the most out of every shipment, without compromising export compliance or exposing goods to risk.
Strength you can rely on
Octabin packaging combines clever design with heavyweight corrugated materials to keep your products safe from start to finish. With an octagonal shape, sturdy base, sleeve, and lid, these durable cardboard containers are built to handle loads of up to 1000kg - offering exceptional protection for bulk goods in storage and during transit.
Even under the toughest conditions, Octabins help to safeguard loose-fill products against damage, shifting, or compression. And for added peace of mind, an inner sleeve can be included to boost load resistance, making them ideal for transporting up to one tonne with confidence.
Businesses handling heavy or delicate seasonal produce have seen the benefits firsthand. One agronomist from a leading fresh produce supplier shared how the strength and reliability of our Octabins helped avoid costly product repacking during peak season: “The design came through very well and the bin strength is exactly what I expected… We’ve had catastrophic failures with others - we wished all retailers had chosen your Octabins this year.”
Moisture-resistant Octabins
Moisture can ruin a shipment long before it reaches its destination. That’s why cardboard Octabins can be fitted with moisture-resistant liners which create a barrier against water, humidity and condensation.
Ideal for powders, granules, grains and other loose-fill goods, these moisture-resistant liners help protect product quality during storage and transit, keeping your goods dry, intact and compliant.
With water-resistant lined Octabins, you reduce the risk of damage, avoid costly waste, and deliver greater reliability across every load.
Smart design, real savings
Traditional bulk containers can be costly, bulky, and inefficient - driving up transport costs and putting pressure on warehouse operations.
Octabins offer a smarter solution. Their flat-packed design reduces storage requirements before use, while their strong, stackable structure maximises space in transit and on-site. Easy to assemble by hand, they also help boost productivity on the packing line - keeping operations fast, flexible, and flowing smoothly.
In a recent customer project, switching to Octabins resulted in an 80% reduction in labour hours - saving £6,200 - and freed up valuable warehouse space by using fewer pallet spaces and enabling double stacking, delivering an additional £5,000 in savings.
Custom octabin sizing helps you cut unnecessary materials, minimise waste, and get more from every shipment. It’s a practical way to reduce costs, improve efficiency, and keep your supply chain moving with less waste and more value.
Sustainable, reusable and recyclable
With 62% of UK consumers saying they "often or always" choose sustainable options (The Roundup) and nearly a third valuing responsible supply chains (Deloitte), the importance of sustainable packaging can’t be ignored.
Made from renewable resources and fully recyclable, cardboard Octabins are an eco-conscious alternative to wooden or metal crates. As businesses face growing pressure to reduce their environmental impact, both from consumers and changes in legislation such as the introduction of EPR in 2025, sustainable Octabins provide a smart solution that supports environmental goals without compromising on strength or functionality.
Additionally, the durability of custom Octabins allows them to be reused, extending their lifespan and reducing a business’s reliance on single-use packaging.
Our Octabin (also known as retail dump bin) have also proven their durability across long-distance supply chains. A director at a large vegetable exporter supplying major supermarkets reported zero failures even during cross-border transit: “Good strong retail dump bins and I never once had any failures with them… The condition when they arrived was just as good as when they left the packhouse here.”
Minimum orders that fit your business
Octabins are available with manageable minimum order quantities, typically ranging from ~300 to 500 units depending on size and design. This flexibility means you can order what you need - without committing to volumes that don’t make sense for your operation.
Ideal for businesses managing fluctuating demand, launching new product lines, or looking to optimise storage space, sustainable Octabins can be produced in efficient, right-sized batches. It’s a practical way to reduce waste, stay responsive, and keep your packaging aligned with your production needs.
Ready to make the switch?
If you’re looking for a packaging solution that’s strong, space-saving, and sustainable, cardboard Octabins could be exactly what your business needs.
From improving product protection and storage efficiency to supporting your sustainability goals, Octabins offer real advantages across the supply chain - without compromising on performance.
Get in touch today to find out how we can tailor an Octabin solution around your products, processes, and priorities.