A storage-size selection problem (Q795502)

In the usual bin packing problem one is given a set of pieces and a bin size and the objective is to minimize the number of bins used to pack the pieces. This is equivalent to finding a packing with the least wasted space. This paper investigates the question of what can be done if, in addition, one is allowed to choose the bin size (which must be the same for all bins). How should one compute the best bin size, \(\alpha\), and the best packing into bins of this size to minimize wasted space?