A small buffer delays the dock; excess stock can hide damage and slow returns. Plan space against observed flow.
Separate usable stock
Count only clean, accepted containers in the right location. Quarantine stock is not buffer.
Buffer calculation
- Observed demand
- Clean output
- Replenishment cycle
- Overflow zone
Compare the flow
Compare demand and wash-dry output over replenishment; count unmet demand as buffer need.
If the buffer stays full, investigate return and preparation bottlenecks; more space alone does not fix the cause.
