Asset Tracking
Returnable Plastic Packaging: Types, Lifespan and Total Cost
Returnable plastic packaging types, realistic trip life and the total cost of ownership, including the shrinkage most budgets leave out.
August 25, 2026
GPX Insights
Asset tracking, supply chain visibility and the GPS and BLE hardware behind them, written by the GPX team.
Returnable plastic packaging types, realistic trip life and the total cost of ownership, including the shrinkage most budgets leave out.
The best BLE asset tracking systems give real-time location for tools, returnable containers and equipment, especially indoors where Bluetooth Low Energy leads. When choosing, weigh location accuracy, scalability, infrastructure requirements and how cleanly the system plugs into what you already
The 2G and 3G shutdowns are finished. Confirm which trackers still report, then replace legacy units with LTE Cat-M1 or NB-IoT hardware.
The best manufacturing asset tracking platforms turn location data on equipment, work-in-progress and returnable transport items into operational decisions. When choosing, match the technology to the environment, since metal-dense floors, outdoor yards and in-transit goods need different networks such as
The best GPS trackers for dumpsters and roll-off containers carry their own battery for years, not months, because containers have no onboard power. Look for an IP67 or higher rugged housing, secure magnetic or bolt-down mounting, and GPS combined with
Small tool tracking answers two questions about every tool: who has it, and where it is. Custody systems answer who with barcode or QR check-in and check-out. Location systems answer where with Bluetooth (BLE) or GPS tags on a map.
Generator and light tower tracking gives rental fleets real-time location, runtime hours and geofence alerts for towable, unpowered assets that move between job sites and sit unattended. Accurate runtime data ends billing disputes and drives maintenance on actual wear, while
An equipment utilization report shows which machines earn their keep. Get a free 9-column template and see how asset tracking fills it in.
Rental fleets track equipment with GPS trackers on every unit and Bluetooth tags on attachments, all on one map. GPX suits mixed rental fleets: battery GPS trackers with up to a 10-year battery cover unpowered units without wiring, Bluetooth tags
Choosing the right GPS tracker for any asset starts with its power source, how it is used and the data you need to act on. Hardwired units suit commercial fleets and heavy machinery, OBD-II plug-ins suit vehicles, long-life battery trackers
