Sustainable packaging is all about sourcing and using materials that will have minimal impact on the environment. For packaging to be considered sustainable, it needs to be safe, well-performing, created using renewable energy, and manufactured using clean technologies, amongst other factors.
The practice of sustainable packaging goes beyond making eco-conscious swaps on resources, though. It applies to the decisions you make at every stage of your supply cycle, from purchasing green materials to vetting your suppliers to make sure they too are implementing sustainable systems and processes.
Here are three simple yet effective ways you can cut your carbon footprint and implement a more sustainable packaging strategy within your business.
1. Use the smallest possible box or bag
Boxes that are too large will take up too much space in your warehouse, not to mention incur over-the-top costs from shipping carriers. They will also leave a sour taste in the mouths of eco-conscious shoppers, because they will see oversized packaging as an unnecessary waste of resources.
On the flip side, however, if you use boxes that are too small, they are more likely to split or break, and you will run the risk of causing damage to your items during transit.
Your box should be as close to the size of the shipment as possible, leaving a little extra room to add protective materials if the item needs them.
If you can’t find a standard product that meets your needs, consider investing in custom courier boxes, which can be designed and manufactured to your products’ exact specifications.
2. Opt for eco-friendly printed mailing boxes and bags where you can
At Hallmark, we’ve made it our mission to ensure our customers can get their hands on top quality custom printed mailing bags and boxes whilst doing their bit for the planet. All our mailers are fully recyclable, and we also produce bags that are made from recycled, biodegradable or compostable materials, in line with our pledge to provide environmentally friendly alternatives wherever possible.
There’s a common misconception that eco-friendly mailing bags are more expensive than those made from standard materials – but this isn’t often the case. We’ve made sure that our printed, branded mailing boxes are an affordable choice for companies of all sizes and budgets.
Just talk to us to learn more about our range and create an order that suits your requirements. Be sure to ask our team about our corrugated boxes, too. They’re practical; they’re suitable for housing all kinds of goods; they can be printed and customised in your own design; and they can be easily recycled and reused by your end customers.
3. Avoid over-packaging
If your products are packed, baled or bundled before they get to you for forwarding, you should take steps to minimise the waste that’s generated from these extra layers of protection – particularly polybags and other plastics.
One of the easiest ways to do this is to do your best to stop over-ordering products. You could also find the means to consolidate your shipments to save on packaging (and avoid unnecessary shipping fees for multiple boxes or bags). Your customer will thank you for this, as they will receive all their orders in one go!
It’s worth talking to your suppliers to see if they might be willing to introduce more sustainable materials or methods into their processes, if they’re not already. Most eco-ethical companies will have some sort of sustainability strategy in place and will be happy to discuss new ideas with their partners and collaborators.
