Alternative Eco-Friendly Packaging Options for Use
When packaging first came about it was made mainly from recyclable goods such as wood and cardboard. It was minimal and simple, which in turn equated to less waste. However, in the 1900s plastic was born, and we segued into a whole new generation of packaging. Not only did plastic come into play, but branding via packaging became a huge part of a company's strategic marketing plan. While sometimes very cool, companies started adding in extra packaging just because it was part of their branding approach. Fast forward to 2021 and our carbon footprint from packaging alone has increased exponentially. To help minimize extra waste production, we’ve rounded up the best eco-friendly packaging options on the market.
Biodegradable Packing Peanuts
We all know the styrofoam packing peanuts that have plagued our boxes for decades. While they’re necessary to help reduce the movement and destruction of products, they’re incredibly wasteful. Good thing there’s a new peanut in town! Biodegradable packing peanuts are a great replacement that’s more cost-effective and disintegrates over time.
Air Pillows
Traditionally, packing peanuts, styrofoam cubes, or bubble wrap has been used to fill the void in boxes and keep everything from breaking. But all of those options leave the world more polluted than before. That’s where air pillows come in. Air pillows are to be used in place of those above and can be found made out of reused, recycled, or even biodegradable materials.
Organic Fabrics
It might seem like a strange material to package something in, but in fact, using organic fabrics to transport goods safely was a very common practice in the 1800s. Wrapping breakable items in fabric is a great option because it can be repurposed for other things. Not only that but reusable shopping bags made out of fabric, in place of plastic, is an eco-friendly option that consistently helps save the environment.
Cardboard Bubble Wrap
Everyone is familiar with receiving a package full of bubble wrap that you can pop for fun, however, that’s about the only benefit to them. Instead, there’s a new alternative being developed that takes post-consumer cardboard waste and turns it into corrugated cardboard instead. This type of cardboard then becomes ideal for protecting against shock, just as bubble wrap does.
The options above are just a few of the alternatives in the market, with more being produced every day. If companies begin to leverage eco-friendly packing materials created out of recycled or biodegradable goods, slowly but surely we’ll be able to cut back on the amount of waste on our planet.
If you’re looking for advice or information on packing materials, we have you covered! With over 30 years of printing, packaging, and labeling experience, our team is prepared to support you and guarantee you choose the right printing solution. To learn more, contact us today at (904) 263-2804 or sign up for a free consultation.