5 Easy Ways to Reduce Your Plastic Packaging

The Government recently announced its 25 year environmental plan which looks to massively reduce plastic waste as one of its key goals. Add to this the mounting pressure from environmental organisations and environmentally-conscious consumers and it’s high time for retailers to join the movement by opting for more environmentally-friendly packaging.

Observing how deeply embedded plastic is in our lives, the transition towards alternative options can seem like a challenge to say the least. But worry not, if you’re a savvy retailer looking for methods to reduce your plastic packaging, we’re here to help. We’ve prepared 5 easy ways in which you can reduce plastic packaging for your business.

1. Say goodbye to plastic carrier bags, hello paper bags!

With the Prime Minister announcing plans to extend the 5p plastic carrier bag charge to all retailers, now is the perfect time to replace your plastic bags with environmentally-friendly paper carrier bags. We’ve prepared an extensive range of recyclable white and brown paper bags which come in a variety of sizes, so you can easily find the right fit for your business. Furthermore, if you want to showcase your brand you can always opt for a personalised version.

You don’t have to stop here though. Join the paper bag revolution and introduce 100% recyclable gusseted paper bags which can be used not only for retail, but also for storage purposes.

2. Less is more

Reducing the amount of packaging you use without having to compromise on the level of packaging protection you need may seem hard to achieve, but it’s not impossible. For example, you can switch to gummed paper tape. Not only is it made from sustainable, biodegradable materials that are 100% recyclable, you can actually cut packaging costs with it. Here’s how.

3. Meet Airsac® protective packaging – 100% recyclable, 98% air, 2% film

Upgrade your protective packaging with the innovative Airsac® system, perfect for transporting fragile items that are prone to breakages. Made with only 2% film, this type of packaging can be easily inflated using compressed air to provide excellent cushioning for products, whilst minimising the amount of materials needed to achieve this.

4. Keep it versatile with paper cushioning

Not only is paper cushioning ideal for wrapping, blocking, bracing and voidfilling, but did you know that it is also made from 50% recycled paper and is 100% recyclable? Another eco-friendly packaging solution, you can always use paper cushioning to add an extra level of protection for your products during transport.

5. Find a supplier who understands the importance of environmentally-friendly packaging

Maybe you’ve already thought about giving up plastic and embracing eco-friendly alternatives, but couldn’t find a reliable packaging supplier to provide you with the goods you need to make this change in a feasible manner.

At Macfarlane Packaging Online, we’ve always understood the importance of minimising the impact that packaging has on the environment, without having to compromise on quality. That’s why we always use ‘Reduce, Reuse, Recycle’ as our packaging principles and strive to offer as many eco-friendly packaging solutions as we can, without attaching a hefty price tag.

So, are you ready to SAVE the planet (and your costs)?