Eco-friendly Packaging Guide and Suppliers for E-commerce
Before you begin buying sustainable shipping supplies for your new packaging design, read the following suggestions.
Use bioplastic sparingly if you must! That mailer that says: I am 100% compostable won't biodegrade in the landfills or oceans, and uses new resources for its production. Please ensure that the bioplastic you choose is 100% derived from plant materials and certified compostable. For more information and guidelines on this topic, read the bioplastic section below.
Please keep it simple! Choose 100% recycled paper as much as possible, even for your "bubble" and poly mailers. The idea is to have a zero-waste design that doesn't require new natural resources for its production and can go back to the recycle cycle. Choose zero waste labels without silicone-coated release liners, and if your business can justify the expense, get a thermal printer to avoid using ink cartridges.
Choose an eco-friendly company for your branding and cards. Some companies listed below offer printing services with compostable ink on their recyclable and certified compostable products.
Be clear on the best way to dispose of your packing. Some bioplastics are recyclable instead of compostable, like the ones used on drink bottles! Ask the company you buy from the best way to dispose of the material and label your packing correctly.
Have fun designing your new eco-friendly packaging!
Before you begin, quickly learn about bioplastics!
They are not the best e-commerce solution!
Most bioplastic will not biodegrade in the ocean (unless it is marine certified) or the landfill, where it most likely will end when used for e-commerce packing.
They need only 20% plant-based material to be called bioplastic. When put in the recycling or compost bin, this kind of bioplastic (with petroleum content) contaminates batches of recycled material and compost facilities.
Even if the bioplastic is 100% compostable, compost with too much of it would not be allowed for use in certified organic or sustainable farming.
Some bioplastics like "oxo-biodegradable" don't biodegrade. Instead, they break into tiny pieces that pollute the ocean.
If your company must use some plastic, FOLLOW THESE RECOMMENDATIONS:
"Avoid "biodegradable plastic" that is not certified as compostable or is not derived entirely from plants."
Look for plant-based plastics that are recyclable. (rather than compostable or "biodegradable"). BioPE, BioPET (used in drinking bottles), and PA can be integrated into recycling streams. The rest has to be incinerated unless it covers the characteristics in option 1 above.
Be extremely clear on how to dispose of the packaging, and don't use misleading labels like compostable or biodegradable if it isn't.
Read the full article about bioplastics by Ecoenclose, HERE, and read the one by AllThingsBio about properly disposing of them HERE.
ECOENCLOSE (USA)
About: Ecoenclose supports "the circular economy, in which materials and packages are designed for recyclability and products are manufactured with as much recycled content as possible. This type of approach has a lower carbon footprint and maximizes the value of natural resources." https://www.ecoenclose.com/
Highlights: They do custom-sized boxes and branding in small quantities and have articles about packaging solutions and new technologies.
Categories: 100% recycled shipping boxes, mailers, poly mailers, shopping bags, tissue paper, and card envelopes / 100% recycled bags / zero waste shipping labels (without the plastic liner) / corrugated bubble / biodegradable cello packing tape / eco-friendly stickers and labels, and ECO t-shirts printed with algae ink / custom printed boxes, mailers, stickers, tissue paper, notecards, and labels.
ELEVATE PACKAGING (USA)
If you are looking for food storage options and ship or service an area that composts, this may be an option for you, but be specific about properly disposing of the packaging, and use compostable labels and ink. Elevate packaging offers bags that you can put in the compost bin in the US and Europe and is transparent about landfills not providing the proper conditions to break them down. https://elevatepackaging.com/
Highlights: Their bags made with bio-resins and wood cellulose are vegan and certified compostable (not in the landfill), including adhesive, zippers, and valves. The company encourages the customers to dispose of products in the home compost.
Categories: Certified compostable (not in the landfill) bags appropriate for food storage like cello bags, coffee bags, and clear, white, and craft zip pouches (standing and flat) / Stickers with compostable backing (not in the landfill) / Compostable custom printed labels (min. 2000) and bags (min. 10,000) with compostable digital inks.
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