Getting the Most Out of Your Packaging

For many, purchasing packaging can be as much about the environmental impact as the protection it offers. There is lots of packaging out there that can help ease the burden on the environment, here are a few pointers to get you started:

If you’re using boxes:

Corrugate cartons are the easiest to recycle – especially if they are sealed with a gummed paper tape. This ensures that they can be recycled as the content is 100% paper. Don’t forget they can also be reused! If you choose a size just a little bigger than the contents, this helps to minimise the amount of space you need to fill with a void filer – also cutting down on the amount of packaging you use. Wraps are also a great alternative to boxes if you are shipping cubed items, as these form around your product and give you a smaller pack using less cardboard – no void fill required.

If you are receiving a high number of boxes with deliveries that you need to dispose of, you may want to consider recycling them as a void filler. Corrugate shredders cut the cardboard into smaller pieces that can be used as a protective void fil.

If you’re using polythene bags:

To say that plastic materials are getting a bad rep at the moment is an understatement so, if you are using Polythene bags then you could consider some more sustainable packaging alternatives. Switch plastic carrier bags to paper, if you are a small retail business you could invest in a branded stamper and personalise the bags as they are issued, this can look very chi-chi and boutique like. Or you can personalise with a small print run at Macfarlane Online.

If you’re packing smaller products/components into clear plastic bags then there are a couple of alternatives. Gusseted paper sacks come in a range of sizes and look particularly fitting for organic/rustic goods. Or, a product like Geami WrapPak is great to wrap products in, if you use a coloured tissue the bundle becomes very pleasing to the eye and becomes an adventure for your customers to unwrap.

If you’re using postal tubes:

Postal tubes are wonderful great sturdy things but, sometimes, the fixed length can mean that you are using too much material if you’re shipping a variety of product lengths. Consider switching to PostalCube, a postal tube that you can cut to the length you need, meaning that you only use as much material as you need.

If you’re using bottle packaging/solid polystyrene or foam:

If you are shipping bottles – or anything really – using polystyrene protection then consider a switch to Airsac packaging. Yes, it’s polythene but… it uses air to inflate the packs and provide protection. This means the pack consists of 2% material and 98% air – isn’t that better than 100% polystyrene or foam? It’s fully recyclable and also reusable, you could even give your customers the chance to return it to you so that you can reuse it for another customer – creating the circle of packaging (cue Elton John) that will impress your customers and show that you care.

If you are looking for sustainable packaging alternatives don’t hesitate to contact our Online team who can talk you through the options available for your products.

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