Packaging

Since starting to sell my products online I’ve always tried to use the most eco friendly packaging that I could. I recently upgraded a few elements of my packaging and spent time researching what was available on the market and trying to make conscious choices.

The boxes that my items are posted out in are made from brown kraft paper which means they’re biodegradable and recyclable. I’ve used these since I started and I used to use a custom stamp of my logo to brand each box. I recently decided to swap to using a sticker for each box but was conscious that many stickers are glossy and not recyclable. So I was pleased to find an alternative from Avery UK. They are uncoated stickers printed on recycled paper and are also biodegradable. I’ve always been a fan of uncoated paper from a tactile and aesthetic viewpoint, so the fact that it’s a more eco option works for me!

I’ve used Moo for my business cards since I was at uni printing cards for my degree show and I’ve always loved their paper weights and size options. When I recently had new business cards printed I found their new recycled cotton option and I have to say, I love the result. The texture and the soft way ink prints onto them, I would definitely recommend these. They are made from recycled t-shirt offcuts, so fabric that would otherwise been thrown away.

Mailing bags are next on my radar, as I know there are options that avoid the plastic bubble wrap of the padded mailers.

I have to say that whilst researching these packaging options I was pleased to see how many companies and options there are now for more eco friendly packaging solutions. As a small business there is a limit for what I can spend on packaging, but for larger companies there are some fantastic and innovative options out there.

As the online retail market grows, especially as it has during this lockdown, let’s hope there’s a reduction in parcels arriving in plastic mailing bags!