Carts and containers are crucial components of many warehouse and retail operations. These sturdy units are usually valued for their utilitarian attributes, like being durable, ergonomic, or simply large.

But when the Carlstadt, N.J.-based paint and printing company Pantone Inc. recently announced that one of its 2016 colors of the year was a shade of royal blue known to graphic designers as "15-3919 Serenity," logistics professionals nodded in recognition.

It turns out that royal blue was already the most popular color choice for bulk containers, laundry carts, and recycling carts sold by plastics rotomolder MODRoto Inc. of Madison, Ind. The company reports that royal blue accounts for some 50 percent of unit sales, followed by the black and forest green shades popular with recycling managers.

The blue shade triumphed over MODRoto's wide selection of Pantone colors as well as custom shades created to match corporate logos and brand imagery. No word yet about whether Serenity's co-color of the year—a pastel pink called "13-1520 Rose Quartz"—will also spike in popularity.