Whether it’s a breakable vase or a stuffed teddy bear, it’s important to the person shipping the item or gift and having packaging solutions that are environmentally conscious are also a concern for many people. People ship items year round but the busiest time for a packaging and shipping company tends to be during the holiday season from about mid-October to mid-January. Getting a package to it’s designation in one piece and on time is the major goals of a shipping company.

Only about five or ten years ago people were not concerned with the consumption of consumer products and how they affected the Earth. Today, more and more people are choosing to use less packaging when it comes to sending their items to others. They are also choosing those companies that are environmentally friendly in that they use recycled products and materials. Although the items are packed and shipped in smaller containers and with less cushioning, that doesn’t mean they are less safe. The materials the companies are using are heavy weight and will help to keep breakables unbroken.

One of the major concerns shipping and packaging companies had was the over use of packaging peanuts. These are typically made of Styrofoam and this material is not a biodegradable material. This means it will last nearly forever in a landfill and never become part of the dirt. One way to save the landfills from these little packaging peanuts is to reuse and recycle them as often as possible.

The other concern is the bubble and plastic wraps that many items are overly wrapped in for safety of the item. Doing the same with the plastic wraps as with the packaging peanuts is ideal, recycling and reusing the long sheets of it. There is another solution and that is to purchase the materials in a recycled form to begin with. There are a couple of companies that create plastic wrap out of old grocery bags and plastic bottles. This will help to protect the items and cut down on the use of so much plastic.

Many of the packaging designs are smaller now because there is no need to ship so much air with an item. More people are concerned with the environment and the boxes that are being shipped do not have to be so large. The smaller packages will still hold about the same amount, just with less cardboard around them. This also means less air in the carton and less air being shipped and weighted.

Once someone receives an item they purchase online or a birthday present, they could return the opened box and packaging materials in order for the shipping company to recycle them. A box could be used again and again in order to save making more and as long as it’s sturdy, it will serve a purpose and stay out of the landfill. The tape that packing companies use is extra strong so there is no worries about something falling out.

People need to be honest with the packaging and shipping companies about what they are planning on shipping. There are sharp objects and flammable liquids that could harm a driver, handler or shipper if they did not know what was in the package. There are special containers for shipping this type of item and special ways of handling it. The best thing for any type of package to be shipped is to leave it open and let the shipping company wrap and package it up for a person right there in the store so they know how much packaging materials to use and what is in the container.

Anyone and everyone who wants to take part in helping to save the Earth should look for Packaging solutions that are eco-friendly. They could recycle items they receive in the mail or by courier and reuse as much of what they receive as possible. Going to a green friendly shipper is also a step in the right direction to less in the landfills.

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