Many business owners mistakenly believe that customers care only about product quality and price, but increasingly, consumers are also seeking value-aligned brands that prioritize sustainability in their practices. Your packaging can be a great place to start. 

At a time when it seems the cost of everything is increasing, we understand that margins for small businesses can be incredibly thin. But switching to environmentally friendly packaging materials and methods doesn’t have to be difficult or prohibitively expensive. In this article, we’ve compiled a list of inexpensive and easy ways to make your packaging more eco-friendly. 

5 Inexpensive & Easy Sustainable Packaging Solutions

  1. Reduce your use of packaging
  2. Encourage consumer reuse of materials
  3. Switch to recycled content packaging instead of virgin plastics
  4. Use recyclable & biodegradable packaging
  5. Use labeling to encourage proper recycling 

1. Reduce Your Use of Packaging

  • Reuse packaging from your suppliers. Each time you receive a shipment from a supplier, set aside any salvageable packaging, such as corrugated cardboard boxes and void fill. 
  • Right-size  your packaging. Some studies estimate that the average box is 40% too big for its contents. One of the easiest ways to reduce your carbon footprint is to make sure you’re right-sizing your packaging. Reducing the size of your packages can help carriers fit more parcels in the truck or cargo ship. This means fewer trips for the carrier and lower overall fuel consumption. And the benefits of right-sizing packaging don’t end at sustainability — it also saves you money. Smaller packages are cheaper to ship and require less void fill, so you save money on packaging materials, too.
  • Switch from corrugated cardboard boxes to envelopes and mailers. Compared to boxes, mailers are usually cheaper to ship and cost less per unit. And with so many mailer sizes and materials to choose from, switching is easy and convenient.
  • Switch to coreless stretch wrap. If you use stretch wrap for palletizing or bundling, consider switching from traditional stretch wrap to coreless. Coreless Stretch Wrap eliminates the need for traditional cardboard cores, reducing packaging waste and overall material cost. This eco-friendly option is lightweight, space-saving, and ideal for hand application using reusable handles. Despite lacking a core, it maintains strength, stretchability, and clings to stabilize pallet loads and protect items in transit. 

2. Encourage Reuse of Materials by Your Consumer 

One often overlooked facet of sustainability is reuse. While recycling and reducing packaging are important measures, you can also make choices that encourage end-user reuse. 

  • Use unbranded packaging. High-quality, unbranded packaging is more likely to be reused by consumers. While it’s tempting to customize packaging and add branding wherever possible, it’s usually cheaper and more sustainable to keep it simple. This can be as simple as refraining from adding stickers or stamps to your boxes and bags. 
  • Use higher quality packaging. Upgrade to thicker, more durable packaging that withstands heavier use. This is more likely to be reused and repurposed by customers.
  • Encourage customers to reuse packaging using printed inserts. A small package insert with “reuse this packaging” printed on it can nudge customers to repurpose packaging, instead of immediately throwing it away. 

3. Switch to Recycled Content Packaging Instead of Virgin Plastics 

Let’s face it — divesting from plastic packaging entirely is unrealistic for many small businesses. But within the world of plastic packaging, some options are at least more sustainable than others. Recycled content plastic uses less fossil fuels and generates significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions compared to virgin plastic, which is derived directly from petrochemicals. 

4. Use Recyclable & Biodegradable Packaging 

Switching to recyclable and biodegradable packaging is a great way to boost your business’s sustainability efforts. 

  • Opt for packaging materials that are easily recycled through curbside recycling programs, such as paper, cardboard, and PET/HDPE plastics. 
    • Our favorite recyclable packaging alternative? Non-reinforced kraft tape. Non-Reinforced Kraft Tape is a sustainable and reliable packaging solution, offering a natural kraft paper backing that is ideal for sealing boxes and securing shipments. 
  • Switch to plant-based PLE plastics. Polylactic Acid (PLA) is a plant-based, biodegradable thermoplastic derived from fermented plant starch (usually corn, sugarcane, or cassava) and is an eco-friendly alternative to fossil-fuel-based plastics. 
  • Switch to biodegradable products. For example, Biodegradable Stretch Wrap is a great sustainable alternative to traditional stretch wrap products. This innovative stretch film breaks down more safely after disposal compared to traditional plastic wraps. It offers the same strength and durability expected from premium stretch films, making it suitable for industries like food and beverage, agriculture, cosmetics, and personal care. 

5. Use Labeling to Encourage Proper Recycling 

Using clear visual cues to encourage safe, proper recycling of packaging products can help reduce “wishcycling.” Wishcycling is the disposal of consumer waste in a recycling bin in hopes of it being recycled, when it cannot or is unlikely to be recycled. While well-intentioned, it can significantly interfere with the recycling process. Giving clear signals to consumers about what can be recycled is a great way to reduce the harm caused by wishcycling. 

  • Use a thermal label printer and Direct Thermal Labels to clearly label recyclable products. This can be as simple as creating a sticker that says “recycle me!” Thermal labels use heat-sensitive paper, meaning no ink, toner, or ribbons are needed for printing, making them a cheaper, more sustainable alternative to traditional label printing. 

Why Should Your Business Switch to Sustainable Packaging? 

The benefits of switching to eco-friendly packaging practices and alternatives go beyond environmental responsibility. Businesses that prioritize sustainable packaging reap the benefits with improved brand image, increased customer loyalty, cost savings, and market differentiation. By reducing the amount of packaging used, businesses can save money on unnecessary packaging and shipping costs. Many customers are also willing to pay a premium for products from businesses that prioritize sustainable practices. 

 

Looking for packaging solutions for your business? Look no further. At PackagingSuppliesByMail, we have hundreds of packaging solutions to accommodate a range of needs and applications, including the highest quality Stretch Wrap Films, Tapes, Mailing Envelopes, Poly Bags, Labels, and more. Check out our range of packaging supplies with free shipping at packagingsuppliesbymail.com.