Going green is a business trend that is here to stay. If you provide packaging materials for your products, you’ll need to think of supplies that are eco-friendly. Learn more about our favorite eco-friendly packaging materials that you should have stocked up.
Whether you’re starting a new business or revamping an old one, now is a great time to commit to using eco-friendly packaging materials. As consumers continue to become more aware of environmental issues, they’ll grow less tolerant to business practices that potentially harm the planet. That’s what makes this a great time to go green. Business owners are now starting to consider the impact they make. It’s good for business itself, but it’s also just good to know that you’re doing everything you can to make a positive change.
Eco-friendly Packaging Materials: What Makes an Item “Green?”
You already know that you’d like to make some changes. However, do you know what those changes are? If you’re new to the green lifestyle, you might not be sure where to start.
There are many areas you can likely improve upon, but if your business ships products to customers, then your packaging and shipping supplies would be a good area to tackle first. Shipping can cause a lot of landfill waste when the wrong materials are used, but with a few simple switches, you can help save the planet and maybe even save money in the process.
1. Biodegradable
One of our most important environmental challenges is maintaining space in our landfills. As the human population continues to rise, we will create more garbage. Unless we start ensuring that our waste is biodegradable, it’s going to begin to overflow, taking up unnecessary space and causing damage to natural resources. By choosing biodegradable packing filler, you’ll ensure that the waste breaks down easily and doesn’t add to the burden that’s already there.
2. Natural Sources
Choosing natural products for an earthy packaging theme makes sense. They fit with your brand, help create awareness, and come from sources you can feel good about. Natural materials like raffia, which comes from the raffia palms of Madagascar, don’t require a lot of chemical or physical processing. This saves resources, such as electricity and fossil fuels.
3. Recycled Content
If you’re going to advertise that you use eco-friendly packaging materials, then choosing recycled content is a must! When your packing materials are made using recycled garbage, it results in less pollution and doesn’t drain on Earth’s resources. The materials used to make post-consumer recycled content are also usually taken and processed before they reach the landfill stage, and not adding to landfills is one of the best ways to help the planet. Choose recycled boxes or bags to show how much your company cares.
4. Reusable
Another great way to go green is to give your customers packaging that they won’t want to throw out. High-quality packaging, such as glass mason jars or cloth bags, provide your customers with two items in one. Not only does this reduce waste, but it also shows that you care about going above and beyond expectations.
If you have questions for us about our eco-friendly packaging materials, please contact us today. The team at Paper Mart is devoted to helping business owners improve their packaging strategies, and we are more than happy to help in any way we can.