One of these combinations is not like the rest: Oil and water. Day and night. Protection for fragile items and eco-friendly packaging. Spoiler alert: if you guessed the last one, you’re right.
There’s a myth that packaging a fragile item with various forms of padding isn’t eco-friendly. We’re here to tell you that belief is, in fact, entirely wrong. As one out of 10 packages arrives damaged, the perceived sustainability hit from protective packaging pales in comparison to the environmental impact of returning, repackaging, and then reshipping a new product.
That’s why it’s critical to securely nestle fragile goods inside their respective boxes. Think about it: all it takes is just one accidental drop to damage or completely break an item before it reaches its final destination. And the last thing you want is a customer to enthusiastically unbox brand-new champagne glasses to find a pile of shattered glass instead.
No matter how delicate an item is, there are numerous eco-friendly packaging solutions to guarantee its arrival in pristine condition. Even better, these packaging options are made from recycled material, can be reused or recycled, and help minimize environmental impact. Best of all, incorporating one (or all) of these solutions helps companies like yours showcase a commitment to sustainability.
Here are four eco-friendly packaging options to ensure even the most delicate items travel safely and remain intact:
Pass the Paper – Paper packaging may be the simplest way to encourage consumers to recycle post-delivery. The material itself keeps items cradled and fills space to minimize movement in transit. Then on the consumer’s end, paper can be easily separated and placed into a recycling bin.
Take sustainability one step further and use recycled paper. For example, EasypackⓇ Paper is 100% recyclable, made from recycled materials, and is completely reusable — a rare triple-win for sustainability. It’s also FSC-certified, meaning the Forest Services Council independently verified the chain of custody of materials to ensure it’s eco-friendly, recyclable, and doesn’t contribute to deforestation. In case it doesn’t make it into a recycling bin, Easypack Paper is also biodegradable.
Air Pillows: Extra Cushion, Less Weight – Reducing a package’s overall weight can help reduce the fuel needed for transport. That’s why lightweight air pillows are a great eco-friendly packaging option. The EP-Flex Elite Air Pillows include recycling information printed directly on the products. Plus, this product uses fewer virgin plastics than similar types of protective packaging. They’re also 50 percent more resistant to punctures by the items they’re protecting, so they’ll stay inflated and protect delicate items no matter what. All Pregis Air Pillows minimize waste by using the minimal amount of film resin, and ship flat increased efficiency, and are inflatable on demand at your fulfilment center.
Packaging to Protect – Inflated air cushions, which cradle items that are light to medium weight during short trips, can be recycled too. Our AirSpeedⓇHC Renew inflated cushioning materials are made from recycled content and provide reliable protection with an outstanding unboxing experience. This eco-friendly packaging features a square pattern to redistribute shock, and fits neatly into boxes. Already made from recycled content, once used, it can be brought to store drop-off locations for further recycling. The packaging is even green in color to subtly remind consumers to recycle it.
The Surprising Foam Factor – Foam gets a bad reputation for sustainability — and undeservedly so. Today’s foams are much more eco-friendly than the products used in the 1980s to cushion cathode-ray tube TVs. Now, they’re composed of recycled material to minimize impact on the planet while still protecting fragile items like LED monitors.
PolyPlankⓇRenewTM is made from a minimum of 60 percent recycled content. It’s ideal for cushioning and bracing items, especially electronics, to avoid shifting and movement in a box. The foam comes in 1.7# density and is designed to prevent scratching surfaces.
Protect the Environment While Protecting Your Shipments
Remember: Eco-friendly packaging and protecting fragile items aren’t mutually exclusive. By choosing materials that are recycled and recyclable, companies can minimize damage to the planet while ensuring purchases get to their destinations intact. At the same time, making eco-friendly packaging choices is a surefire way to demonstrate an unwavering commitment to sustainability.
Need more insight? Send in your details through our proprietary EcoGauge calculator which allows us to assess the environmental impact of your current solutions so you can learn the true cost of your damaged shipments.
https://www.pregis.com/knowledge-hub/protect-your-products-and-boost-sustainability-with-eco-friendly-packaging/