If you are a manufacturer or any company that involves shipping and storing bulk goods, you may have been using Gaylord boxes or Bulk Bags for these purposes. There are many key structural and financial differences between Gaylord boxes and Super Sacks. There are many reasons why it’s better to use a bulk bag vs a gaylord box for your business needs. Here we will discus the differences between bulk bags and gaylord boxes

What are Gaylord Boxes?

“Gaylord box” , named after the gaylord container company is term that refers to large cardboard containers used to shiip goods They range in size but are typically around 48 x 40 x 40 in size. They are bulk-size corrugated cardboard containers. They allow you to store and ship a pallet’s worth of product in a single container. They’re sized to fit neatly on top of pallets and often times can be double or triple stacked. The original Gaylord boxes came from

Some other names for gaylods boxes include:

• Cargo container.
• Heavy-duty box.
• tote
• Produce bin.
• Jumbo box.
• Pallet gaylord box.
• 48 x 40 Skid box.
• Bulk bins.
• Pallet container.
• Octabin.
• HPT- 41s

They can all be summarized as heavy-duty cardboard container that’s large and yet lightweight.

These boxes have a wide range of industrial use. Specifically in the warehousing and transportation industry. You’ll also find them filled with watermelons or other bulk goods at your local grocery store. Often the are rectangular or octagonal in shape. They may also come with matching slip sheets or lids. Consisting of corrugated cardboard, they resist tearing, splitting and bursting under typical use.  They can be used multiple time and recycled.

Weight Capacity of a Used Gaylord Boxes

Depending on your use for the box its weight capacity can be a very important factor. The size of the box as well as the number of number of layers affect the box’s strength.

Standard gaylord boxes measuring 48 x 40 x 40 may have weight capacities ranging from 3,000 to 5,000 pounds. 40-inch cubes and octagonal boxes can hold up to 3,000 lbs. The smaller gaylord containers can hold 1,200 to 1,500 pounds, while the smaller 36-inch square boxes can hold 1,000 to 1,200 pounds. Each Gaylord box’s exact weight capacity depends on the dimensions, number of wall layers and the manufacturer’s different specifications. It is best to consult with the company before purchasing

Bulk Bags – Super Sacks

A bulk bag or FIBC, Flexible Intermediate Bulk Container, is a large canvas bag designed to carry bulk goods.  Also sometimes referred to as a super sack. Bulk bags can be anywhere from 28″ x 28″ x 12″ to 51″ x 51″ x 71″, (filled dimensions) and may contain up to 3000 – 5000 lbs of dry material, depending on the design. Often they can come paired with bag liners  which allow a wide range of uses

Use of bulk bags has been on the rise for years with many companies switching to them over gaylord boxes to save costs. Approximately 150 million bags are used annually with an average annual growth rate of around 15% per year. Bulk bags are often cheaper when compared to other containers, like gaylord boxes, IBC Totes, fiber drums, plastic, or metal drums