Astm D 6880-2005

Designation: D 6881 03
Standard Classification for
Standard Plastics Industry Bulk Box/Pallet Unit Size

Classified By Bulk Density1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 6881; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
INTRODUCTION
An ad-hoc survey in 2000 showed about 40 different box sizes in use by the plastic resin industry;
the purpose for this classification is to quantify a box/pallet unit size acceptable for this industry within
the limits of the scope.
Combining values from the two systems may result in nonconformance with the standard.
1.12 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory requirements prior to use.
1.13 This classification offers an organized collection of
information or a series of options and does not recommend a
specific course of action. This document cannot replace education or experience and should be used in conjunction with
professional judgement. Not all aspects of this classification
may be applicable in all circumstances. This ASTM standard is
not intended to represent or replace the standard of care by
which the adequacy of a given professional service must be
judged, nor should this document be applied without consideration of a projects many unique aspects. The word standard in the title of this document means only that the
document has been approved through the ASTM consensus
process.
1. Scope
1.1 This classification covers containers used to hold plastic
resins with bulk density (Test Methods D 1895) of 27 to 39
lb/ft3(0.432 to 0.625 g/cm3).
1.2 This classification does not apply to any plastic resins
with bulk
density below 27 lb/ft3 (0.432 g/cm3) or above
3
39lb/ft (0.625 g/cm3).
1.3 This standard does not apply to bulk boxes containing
hazardous materials.
1.4 This standard does not address box/pallet unitization
requirements.
1.5 This standard does not address requirements of plastic
bag liners normally placed inside the corrugated bulk box
before filling with plastic resin.
1.6 This standard does not address tamping, shaking, or
other compression methods of the resin filled bulk box to
condense entrained air and increase headspace in the bulk box.
1.7 This standard does not address blocking and bracing or
other shipping requirements normally associated with bulk box
unit deliveries.
1.8 This standard does not address filled bulk box/pallet unit
stack height.
1.9 This standard does not address international shipping
regulations of bulk box/pallet units.
1.10 This standard does not address pallet opening sizes for
pallet trucks.
1.11 Units of MeasureThe value stated in either SI units
or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard.
The values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents;
therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D 1895 Test Methods for Apparent Density, Bulk Factor,
and Pourability of Plastic Materials2
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.1.1 bulk box, plastic resin, na container used to enclose,
protect, hold, and transport plastic resin, with net weights of
about 1000 to 1600 lb (453.6 to 725.7 kg); it will have
semi-rigid sidewalls that resist bulging of the sidewall when
1
This classification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D10 on
Packaging and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D10.26 on Shipping
Containers, Crates, Pallets, Skids and Related Structures.
Current edition approved May 10, 2003. Published July 2003.
Annual ASTM Book of Standards, Vol 08.01.
Copyright ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
D 6881 03
4.2.5 Warehouses to provide space layout plans based on
dimensions of the standard box/pallet unit.
loaded, retain the approximate size of the empty assembled

box, and prevent collapse of the container during removal of
the product.
3.1.1.1 DiscussionNormally, the box is placed on a pallet
or skid, filled, and stacked one pallet load on the other for a
stack height selected by the user.
3.1.2 freeboard, namount of bulk box set back from pallet
edge on all sides to offset the bulge of the container when filled
with resin (typically 7 to 8 % of pallet dimension).
3.1.3 pinwheeling, vwhen lengthwise loading vans or
containers, the turning of a bulk box 90 and loading widthwise.
3.1.4 plastic resin, norganic compounds produced by
polymerization that are flowable forms of filled or unfilled
powder, flake, chips, pellets, or granules originating from
either virgin, compounded, regrind, or reclaim polymer.
5. Basis of Classification
5.1 The bulk box will contain about 1000 to 1600 lb (453.6
to 725.7 kg) of plastic resins with typical bulk densities of 27
to 39 lb/ft3 (0.432 to 0.625 g/cm3).
5.2 Minimum performance of the bulk box pallet unit
during pack out, storage, and transit will be specified by the
user.
5.3 Total height of box, cap, and pallet (container height)
equals 44 6 34 -in. (1118 6 19 mm).
5.4 Total width of pallet (container footprint width) equals
45 6 14 -in. (1143 6 6.35 mm).
5.5 Total length of pallet (container footprint length) equals
48 6 14 -in. (1219 6 6.35 mm).
5.6 Bulk box freeboard on all sides of the pallet will be
specified by the user.
5.7 Corrugated fiberboard bulk boxes are normally used in
this application; the octagon-shaped box is preferred because
of the superior strength/capacity weight over rectangular corrugated boxes.
5.8 Wooden pallets are typically used in this application but
may be of other materials of construction; the required footprint will allow the user an option to choose either four- or
two-way entry.
5.9 The eight corners of the octagon bulk box must be
supported on top and on the bottom by the pallet; box corners
must align top and bottom on deck boards of wooden pallets.
4. Significance and Use

4.1 This standard classification will be used to:
4.1.1 Standardize the package size increasing availability,
versatility, and acceptability of bulk box/pallet units.
4.1.2 Lower transport package manufacturing costs.
4.1.3 Lower cost/lb of packaged resin because of higher net
weight/package.
4.1.4 Reduce environmental impact of pallets and bulk
boxes by reducing waste.
4.1.5 Support reuse of bulk boxes and pallets throughout the
supply chain.
4.1.6 Optimize lifecycle package cost.
4.1.7 Improve both inbound and outbound freight cost in
comparison to non-optimal packaging.
4.1.8 Lower inventory/storage cost of raw materials (need
less on hand).
4.1.9 Reduce warehouse space for resin storage.
4.1.10 Reduce forklift trips (carrying higher weight).
4.1.11 Promote multi-industry usage of common footprint
boxes and pallets (examples are the automotive and chemical
drum industry).
4.1.12 Guide the first-time resin packager as to a successful
bulk box/pallet unit now in use in the resin industry.
4.1.13 Optimize net product weight in truckload trailer vans
and oversea containers.
4.2 This standard classification will be used by:
4.2.1 Resin producers/converters/compounders/customers
to compare with their current practice.
4.2.2 Bulk box manufacturers to recommend a proven
cost-effective package for plastic resins in the targeted bulk
density range.
4.2.3 Pallet manufacturers as a common bulk box footprint
pallet for the targeted bulk density ranges used by the plastic
resin industry.
4.2.4 Box liner manufacturers to size their liners to a
specified volume dimension.
6. Test Method and Retest

6.1 The bulk density performance properties enumerated in
this classification may be estimated with Test Methods D 1895.
7. Ordering Information
7.1 The purchaser should select the preferred permitted
options and include the following information in procurement
documents:
7.1.1 Standard title, number, and date.
7.1.2 Bulk density of the plastic resin to be packaged.
7.1.3 Expected gross weight of packed out box and pallet.
7.1.4 Form for deliveryassembled or knocked down.
7.1.5 Unitization requirements.
7.1.6 Liner or bag requirements.
7.1.7 Stacking, environmental, and shelf life requirements.
7.1.8 Graphic requirements.
7.1.9 Transport package requirements.
8. Keywords
8.1 bulk box; bulk package; containers by bulk density;
paperboard containers; plastic resin; resin package; returnable
box system; transport package
D 6881 03
ANNEX
(Mandatory Information)
A1. BULK BOX STANDARD CLASSIFICATION SUMMARY
A1.1 Criteria in setting dimension limits include:
A1.1.3 The width requirement is to insure the bulk box or

pallet/skid may be suitable for use in multi-industry applications (for example, the automotive and chemical drum industries).
A1.1.4 The length requirement is to insure the bulk box or
pallet/skid may be suitable for use in multi-industry applications (for example, the automotive and chemical drum industries).
A1.1.5 The weight requirement is based on the volume of
the bulk box and bulk density of the plastic resin.
A1.1.1 The height requirement is to insure that the double

stack container (normal fork truck load) will enter the ocean
container that has an opening of 90 in. (2286 mm) at the
container entrance door.
A1.1.2 The width requirement is to insure two containers
will fit side by side in truck vans and ocean containers with
adequate space for fork truck loading. Inside ocean container
width equals 92 in. (2337 mm).
APPENDIX
(Nonmandatory Information)
X1. GENERAL USE AND GUIDANCE
X1.1 The size requirements are based on being able to load

ocean freight containers as well as truck load vans using pallets
with a two-way entry (no pinwheeling of the load is
necessary). User may specify pallets with four-way entry.
X1.3.1
X1.3.2
X1.3.3
try.
X1.3.4
Council.
X1.3.5
X1.2 Since the box will be used by a wide variety of users

with different storage and transit requirements, each user may
utilize their own performance standards and specifications.
X1.3 Organizations that may be interested in this standard
include:
Society of Plastic Engineers.

National Wooden Pallet and Container Association.
Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper IndusAmerican Plastics CouncilAmerican Chemical
Society of Plastics Industries.
D 6881 03
Top, Length and Width View
FIG. X1.1 Example of Bulk Box/Pallet Unit (Not to Scale)
D 6881 03
End ViewThree high stack of boxes and pallets showing deck board placement. See Fig. X1.1 for example of Width view.
FIG. X1.2 Drawing 2 (Not to Scale)
ASTM International takes no position respecting the validity of any patent rights asserted in connection with any item mentioned
in this standard. Users of this standard are expressly advised that determination of the validity of any such patent rights, and the risk
of infringement of such rights, are entirely their own responsibility.
This standard is subject to revision at any time by the responsible technical committee and must be reviewed every five years and
if not revised, either reapproved or withdrawn. Your comments are invited either for revision of this standard or for additional standards
and should be addressed to ASTM International Headquarters. Your comments will receive careful consideration at a meeting of the
responsible technical committee, which you may attend. If you feel that your comments have not received a fair hearing you should
make your views known to the ASTM Committee on Standards, at the address shown below.
This standard is copyrighted by ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959,
United States. Individual reprints (single or multiple copies) of this standard may be obtained by contacting ASTM at the above
address or at 610-832-9585 (phone), 610-832-9555 (fax), or service@astm.org (e-mail); or through the ASTM website
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Designation: D 6881 03

Standard Classification for

Standard Plastics Industry Bulk Box/Pallet Unit Size

Annual ASTM Book of Standards, Vol 08.01.

loaded, retain the approximate size of the empty assembled

4. Significance and Use

6. Test Method and Retest

A1.1 Criteria in setting dimension limits include:

A1.1.3 The width requirement is to insure the bulk box or

A1.1.1 The height requirement is to insure that the double

X1.1 The size requirements are based on being able to load

X1.2 Since the box will be used by a wide variety of users

Society of Plastic Engineers.

Top, Length and Width View

FIG. X1.1 Example of Bulk Box/Pallet Unit (Not to Scale)

FIG. X1.2 Drawing 2 (Not to Scale)

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