Eco-Friendly Packaging Options For Your Shipping Needs
With the rise of the shipping industry, there has been a boom in the packaging industry. Packaging materials are being produced in large amounts to meet various shipping requirements. In such situations, it becomes necessary to pay attention to keeping the impact of packaging wastes under control. The good thing is that both consumers and brands are paying a fair bit of attention to using packaging options that remain less detrimental to the environment.
That said, we will now discuss some eco-friendly packaging options that should help you reduce the amount of packaging waste.
Biodegradable packaging peanuts
As the name suggests, these are the biodegradable packing peanuts, which dissolve into the air if disposed of improperly. These light, airy, and soft peanuts protect your goods during shipping by reducing the impact of shocks and bumps.
Standard packing peanuts are usually made of EPS (expanded polystyrene foam), which is not a biodegradable material. Biodegradable packaging peanuts, on the other hand, provide the same benefits as traditional packing peanuts while helping brands avoid the disadvantages of traditional packing peanuts.
Corrugated bubble wrap
We are all familiar with the traditional plastic bubble wrap, which helps keep fragile items safe during shipping. Since it is a plastic product, it is not the most eco-friendly material out there. The good thing, however, is that several eco-friendly alternatives are being developed.
One of such alternatives is the up-cycle corrugated cardboard. This cushioning option consists of corrugated cardboard that hasn’t been disposed of after first use. This way, the corrugated cardboard gets used up or the second time after its first use. Using small cuts of corrugated cardboard protects the product from the effects of shock and bumps.
Air pillows made of recycled materials
Using inflatable air pillows in place of Styrofoam or bubble wrap is a cost-effective and eco-friendly option. These pillows are available in a variety of sizes, and they fill up the void in packaging boxes to protect goods from damages.
Since these pillows use air to inflate, they consist of less material. It means that they have a lower carbon footprint. Another benefit is that these pillows do not add anything to the weight of the package. The reduced weight of the package means lower shipping costs.
Cornstarch packaging
Cornstarch has made its way into the eco-friendly packaging industry. While this material is derived from corn or maize plants, it has plastic-like properties, making it a viable option for product packaging. This material can be used in the making of packaging products ranging from bottles to molded foam to loose-fill packaging. The best thing about this packaging material is its eco-friendliness.
Mushroom packaging
You may not believe it, but manufacturing companies have figured out a way to produce packaging materials from mushrooms. These materials consist of agricultural wastes and roots o mushrooms. While it remains a debate about whether this material is fit enough for food packaging, it doesn’t prove to be detrimental to the environment. It means that companies may consider it for applications other than food packaging.