What is the term for the practice of storing items in a manner that wastes storage space?

The practice of storing items in a manner that wastes storage space is referred to as honeycombing. This term describes a situation where space within storage areas is poorly utilized due to inefficient arrangement or placement of items, leading to gaps and wasted areas that could otherwise be filled. Honeycombing often results from not storing items in a way that takes full advantage of available space, causing inefficiencies in inventory management and logistics.

In contrast, cross stacking involves arranging items in a way that provides stability and maximizes vertical space, while mezzanine storage refers to the use of intermediate floors or platforms within a warehouse to increase storage capacity without expanding the footprint of the building. Potential vacant space simply identifies any area within a storage facility that isn't being utilized but doesn't specifically describe the inefficient method of storage known as honeycombing. Therefore, honeycombing highlights a direct inefficiency, confirming its relevance to the question.