Sustainable packaging is becoming a higher priority for both brands and consumers – more now than ever before.

Everyone loves the moment when a package arrives, and they get to unveil the packaging to receive their items. There has been a recent increase in shipped goods, and with this surge in shipments comes a natural increase in shipping materials required. There are numerous elements of packaging used to ship these items, from padding materials to the boxes that contain these goods. With this increase in imported goods, there has been a natural demand for packaging to keep sustainability and environmental factors in mind. The benefits of opting for sustainable shipping materials are countless, with environmentally-conscious consumerism becoming the new standard.

Many of us were brought up with the phrase ‘reduce, reuse, recycle’ in our vocabulary. Today, it’s essential to your business that you reflect these same values. Not only to help the environment but also to increase brand loyalty amongst eco-conscious consumers.

Here are five tips to make your packaging more sustainable:

Switch to Reusable Packaging

Reusable packaging is designed to be used more than once. 

Forms of reusable packaging:

• Returnable packaging
• reusable transport items
• returnable transport packaging

The goal of reusable packaging is to confront the single-use nature of many of the packing supplies we’ve used previously. Reusable packaging extends the longevity and usefulness of the packaging through multiple shipments or trips.

There’s likely a reusable packaging item in your home right now. Some of the most common reusable packaging options include handheld shopping totes and plastic containers.

Compostable mailers are the perfect alternative to plastic poly mailer bags. This mailer is a great step towards sustainable packaging and can be composted commercially and at home. It has 2 sticky tabs so your customer can reuse the mailer.

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Use Recyclable Packaging

Recyclable packaging is becoming much more commonly seen in shipping efforts. This type of sustainable packaging uses materials that can be processed again for another purpose, whether to create more shipping materials or other items that are produced with recyclable contents.

One of the first ways we are introduced to reducing our carbon footprint is through the concept of recycling, and shipping materials provide the perfect opportunity for this.

Recyclable materials include paper, cards, metal, glass, and even certain plastics with recent innovations, with cardboard easily taking the crown for the most commonly used type of recycled packaging. 

Packaging made from paper or cardboard is also biodegradable. Even if these are used once, they will naturally break down over time.

noissue Kraft Mailers are made from 100% FSC-certified recycled paper. Available in two styles – Flat and Expandable, and in various sizes, there is a kraft mailer to suit your business. You can customise your mailer with your branding, design, and logo. Choose your preferred Pantone or CMYK colour to print in. The mailers are also compostable.

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Use Plant-Based Packaging

Another popular and sustainable option is plant-based packaging, which includes materials derived from organic plant-based matter.

Some of the most common ingredients used to create plant-based packaging include cornstarch, mushrooms, seaweed, and sugar cane. It’s crucial that the packaging and items produced from these plant-based sources also keep plant production in mind. If the sourcing of these materials poses issues to the environment, then it’s less sustainable. 

Plant-based packaging continues to evolve, with biodegradable plastics and other exciting innovations being made over time to create more options.

noissue Washi is made from rice paper, non-toxic adhesive, and is home compostable. Printed in full colour with non-toxic inks, you can customise from 5 rolls of Washi and pick from 4 different widths and two lengths.

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Avoid Unnecessary Packaging and Extras

Everything you put inside the box consumes materials. Some extras serve a purpose, like sharing your brand story or adding to the unboxing experience. However, you can do a few things to reduce packaging waste without taking away from the customer experience.

One example of unnecessary packaging is shipping a box inside of a package. Unless you need it to send something fragile, you can entirely eliminate that internal box.

Some other ideas include:

• Using digital packing slips and order summaries
• Printing on the inside of your box instead of including an insert with the same info
• Reducing the number of paper inserts or choosing recycled materials
• Opting for SpiroPack or Hexi-Flex instead of packing peanuts
• Eliminating void fill by using custom-sized boxes
• Ditching the plastic wrap

You can use noissue Blank Shipping Labels to stick directly on your box instead of inserting it into the box and on the box.

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Tell Customers What to Do with Your Packaging When They’re Done with It

We’ve all been there, looking for that recycling symbol or some sign that the packaging is recyclable or compostable. If customers aren’t sure, they’re probably going to throw it in the trash.

After all the work and effort you put into your sustainable packaging, that’s the last place you want to end up. So, what do you do? Make it unmistakably clear what to do with your packaging when they’re done with it. It could be as simple as printing “I’m recyclable/compostable/biodegradable. Please recycle/compost me.” or something like that in an unmissable place on the outside.

Better yet, could you put it in several places? Include it in their delivery or shipping confirmation email, the package itself, and the product listing. You could also create an FAQ or sustainability page detailing proper packaging disposal for various products and materials.

This way, if someone Googles it, they’ll find the information they’re looking for right away. 

Pro Tip:

Go With a Packaging Supplier That Cares About Sustainablity

Wrapping it Up

With a global shift toward fighting climate change, the way we approach packaging is growing and changing. Rather than being an alternative option, environmentally friendly packaging will only become more important. It will also open up a host of new marketing opportunities that have never been more relevant or more important.

There are many options available, and by doing a little research, you can find options that work perfectly for you. Transitioning to sustainable packaging does not have to be expensive. Especially if you put some thought into the transition and do it gradually, a redesign of your packaging will save you money on shipping and materials. 

If you are ready to make the shift towards making your business eco friendly with sustainable packaging, get in touch with me so we can start your journey.