There’s no way around it – Earth-Friendly Packing Ideas. All of the plastic adds up and contributes to landfills and pollution. To take care of our earth while allowing your business to thrive, consider earth-friendly options when it comes to packing up your items for shipping. Read on for some ideas that are easy, cheap, and eco-friendly.
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Reuse Items
Everything you receive in the mail is already contained in packing material. If you hold onto materials, you’ll be able to reuse some of them for your own items. Along with cutting down on costs, this option also saves you a trip to the store. Consider designating a space in your home or office for storing shipping materials that you receive from inbound items. Boxes can be reused after all labels are removed. Poly and paper mailers can be repurposed as long as they are resealed and any address information is covered or written over. Cushioning materials can also easily be reused. Packing peanuts, bubble wrap, and tissue paper can be kept and repurposed as well. If everyone did this, there would be much less waste created every day.
Make Your Own Tape
While you can’t reuse tape, you can make your own. The thing about conventional tape is that it’s formed out of plastic that can’t be recycled and has to go to a landfill. By making your own, you avoid contributing more trash to the environment. Creating your own tape is easy. In fact, most people did this before the advent of plastic tape, and it’s a fun project for kids too. Simply mix three parts whole wheat flour with two parts water. Boil the mixture on the stove. Once it’s boiling, add a bit more water. Continue simmering for half an hour. The mixture is done when it’s nice and thick. Cut strips of paper to use as tape. To make the tape, just place the paper where you’d place tape. Use a pastry brush or paintbrush to paint the wheat paste mixture over your paper strip. After an hour or two, the paste will be dry and secure. This method is very effective. In fact, you can use any leftover wheat paste for Papier-mâché, or to hang posters or other items on your wall.
Repurpose
Along with reusing items you receive as part of other packages for packing material, you can also scavenge around your own home or business to find shipping materials that might otherwise go to waste. Many things that you would otherwise throw out can be used to cushion items in the mail. Here are some things you can use to pad items in transit, or fill up extra space inside a shipping container:
- Already-read newspaper is great for filling extra space and cradling fragile items
- Paper overwrap can be found on toilet paper rolls and other items.
- Extra tissue paper can be used in the same way as newspaper and paper wrap.
- Did a document misprint? Instead of throwing away scrap paper or recycling it, use it as packing material.
- Shredded paper is another option that often ends up in the waste bin.
Contact Us
Contact us for all of about Earth-Friendly Packing Ideas and shipping needs. At Mailbox times, we have what you need to pack and ship anything and everything – anywhere. We’re here to help! Contact us by clicking here. We look forward to hearing from you.