How eco-friendly is your product packaging?
The Christmas shopping frenzy is bringing up many issues that we all need to be conscious about. One of them is packaging. I am sure many of you put a lot of thought about the design and the visual effect of your product packaging. Wowing the customer before he/she even opens the package is an excellent way to promote your businesses and guarantee customer satisfaction. But have you put any thought at all at how eco-friendly your packaging is?
Let's say that the answer is no, but that you want to.... Great! Perhaps you can consider it as a New Year's resolution! Here are some tips and ideas that will help you create packaging that is good for the environment, or at least not harm it further!
Jute
This is my favourite fabric! It is mainly used for potatoes and grains packaging in many third world countries with India being the world's largest producer. You might remember it from the espadrilles. It is one of the most affordable natural fibers in existence. It is a rain-fed crop with little need for fertilizers or pesticides - in contrast to cotton's heavy requirements. Apart from being cheap, it is soft, durable, 100% biodegradable and can be recycled more than once. It is one of the major crops that is able to protect deforestation by industrialization.
Recycling Paper
Start collecting those colorful magazines, newspapers, junk mail, old christmas cards, etc and turn them into an original packaging design. It is a very easy way to re-use and give a new purpose for the dead tree! You can use it as wrapping paper or create your own gift bags of all sizes.
Twine
A little bit of twine can go a long way in creating pretty packaging. Ensure that the twine is not synthetic, but made of natural fibers; such as wool, cotton, sisal, jute, hemp and coir (coconut fibre) - the last 3 are the most environmental options, they are all made from plants, all 100% biodegradable.
Old clothes
Master the art of folding clothes and you will have such unique packaging for your medium to large boxes! Instead of throwing away a torn trousers, or a stained shirt, try to use the good part and make some truly original packaging. You can write a personal note or draw something cute with a permanent market.
Embellishment
Dried leaves, flowers, cones and small twigs can become a very pretty centerpiece for gift boxes or tags. Recycled paper can be used as tags and you can have fun cutting them in all shapes and sizes.
Extra Tip:
Instead of printing your own branded packaging, why not opt for a rubber stamp with your logo or a symbol that reflects your brand? It will create a very professional, minimalistic look on your packaging.
Be creative! When you're about to throw something, wait for a second and think if there is anything that can be re-used? A piece of ribbon, a button, a torn map, a pair of shoe lace, old damaged books, past calendars, foil bags, cereal boxes, pieces of jigsaw puzzles - a lot of things can be used for something else.
These are some examples of eco-friendly packaging that cost very little or are completely free! Besides, your customers will appreciate the fact that you are being pro-active and sustainable and they will support you even more.
Avoid plastic as much as possible, though not all plastic is bad. For instance, bubble wrap can be re-used hundreds of times. Make sure you tell anyone you know not to throw it away and save it for you. Start collecting your raw materials now, ask friends and family to be mindful and not to throw certain things that may be useful to you as a vendor. Even shoe boxes for example come very useful.
I feel bad knowing how much traditional wrapping paper is thrown every year... used once, torn to pieces and discarded. According to Intercongreen.com, wrapping paper purchased every year could cover over 5000 football fields!
You may think that it goes in the recycle bin so its eco-friendly, right? Consider this first, metallic or glitter wrapping paper is NOT recyclable and it will go in general waste, so it will just sit in the landfill for years and years. The paper that CAN be recycled, goes to a recycling plant where it is separated into types and grades. Then it is washed with soapy water, and different materials are added to it. After, it is spread on large rollers to produce tiny sheets and when dried, it goes to receive a new life in a manufacturing industry.
My point here, is that recycling is a long process, it requires energy, labor, manpower, machinery, tools and resources, and while it is a very good option to landfill, we should still think twice and try to re-use and re-purpose before re-cycling.
Everybody can use sustainable packaging, and not just for Christmas, but all throughout the year.
Happy Eco Christmas everyone!
Let's start giving gifts to Planet Earth too! <3
Let's say that the answer is no, but that you want to.... Great! Perhaps you can consider it as a New Year's resolution! Here are some tips and ideas that will help you create packaging that is good for the environment, or at least not harm it further!
Jute
This is my favourite fabric! It is mainly used for potatoes and grains packaging in many third world countries with India being the world's largest producer. You might remember it from the espadrilles. It is one of the most affordable natural fibers in existence. It is a rain-fed crop with little need for fertilizers or pesticides - in contrast to cotton's heavy requirements. Apart from being cheap, it is soft, durable, 100% biodegradable and can be recycled more than once. It is one of the major crops that is able to protect deforestation by industrialization.
Recycling Paper
Start collecting those colorful magazines, newspapers, junk mail, old christmas cards, etc and turn them into an original packaging design. It is a very easy way to re-use and give a new purpose for the dead tree! You can use it as wrapping paper or create your own gift bags of all sizes.
A little bit of twine can go a long way in creating pretty packaging. Ensure that the twine is not synthetic, but made of natural fibers; such as wool, cotton, sisal, jute, hemp and coir (coconut fibre) - the last 3 are the most environmental options, they are all made from plants, all 100% biodegradable.
Old clothes
Master the art of folding clothes and you will have such unique packaging for your medium to large boxes! Instead of throwing away a torn trousers, or a stained shirt, try to use the good part and make some truly original packaging. You can write a personal note or draw something cute with a permanent market.
Dried leaves, flowers, cones and small twigs can become a very pretty centerpiece for gift boxes or tags. Recycled paper can be used as tags and you can have fun cutting them in all shapes and sizes.
Instead of printing your own branded packaging, why not opt for a rubber stamp with your logo or a symbol that reflects your brand? It will create a very professional, minimalistic look on your packaging.
Be creative! When you're about to throw something, wait for a second and think if there is anything that can be re-used? A piece of ribbon, a button, a torn map, a pair of shoe lace, old damaged books, past calendars, foil bags, cereal boxes, pieces of jigsaw puzzles - a lot of things can be used for something else.
These are some examples of eco-friendly packaging that cost very little or are completely free! Besides, your customers will appreciate the fact that you are being pro-active and sustainable and they will support you even more.
Avoid plastic as much as possible, though not all plastic is bad. For instance, bubble wrap can be re-used hundreds of times. Make sure you tell anyone you know not to throw it away and save it for you. Start collecting your raw materials now, ask friends and family to be mindful and not to throw certain things that may be useful to you as a vendor. Even shoe boxes for example come very useful.
I feel bad knowing how much traditional wrapping paper is thrown every year... used once, torn to pieces and discarded. According to Intercongreen.com, wrapping paper purchased every year could cover over 5000 football fields!
You may think that it goes in the recycle bin so its eco-friendly, right? Consider this first, metallic or glitter wrapping paper is NOT recyclable and it will go in general waste, so it will just sit in the landfill for years and years. The paper that CAN be recycled, goes to a recycling plant where it is separated into types and grades. Then it is washed with soapy water, and different materials are added to it. After, it is spread on large rollers to produce tiny sheets and when dried, it goes to receive a new life in a manufacturing industry.
My point here, is that recycling is a long process, it requires energy, labor, manpower, machinery, tools and resources, and while it is a very good option to landfill, we should still think twice and try to re-use and re-purpose before re-cycling.
Everybody can use sustainable packaging, and not just for Christmas, but all throughout the year.
Happy Eco Christmas everyone!
Let's start giving gifts to Planet Earth too! <3
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