Zimmer Offers Free Containers

by Jill Larner, CalMAX Coordinator

"Freebies," anyone? Can your workplace use the large, durable containers this Sacramento company gives away through CalMAX? These 55-gallon drums made of heavy cardboard, which come with lids and rings, can maximize indoor storage space. The drums once held nonhazardous coatings used in the flexographic printing process, such as laminating adhesives, or hotmelt coating. The company gives away 20 to 30 drums each month, most of which have gone to schools for use as recycling containers.

In business since 1968, Zimmer Custom Packaging, Inc., a division of Norse of Columbus, Ohio, prints wrappings for food goods. The drums are an unavoidable by-product of their process. Larry Coleman, the company’s director of safety and environmental affairs, says, "We have to keep finding new takers because the useful lives of the drums are so long. They really are a wonderful resource."

Zimmer is a long-time CalMAX user and has successfully placed and found materials through CalMAX to benefit the company. In addition to the cardboard drums, Zimmer also lists rolls of polyethelene film, about 50 rolls per month. When shredded, this material is an excellent source of free packing material.

Giving away the drums instead of disposing them, saves the company the cost of a 30-yard dumpster, or $350 per month. Since Larry was interviewed for this article, the company has begun discussing with its supplier the possibility of reusing the drums for their original purpose. Reuse of the drums in this way would provide significant cost savings through avoided disposal costs for Zimmer.

Zimmer Custom Made Packaging, Inc.
7640 Wilbor Way
Sacramento, CA 95828
(916) 423-2022

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Last updated: August 01, 2008