Did you know that about 75% of all household waste comes from our packaging?

The goal when shipping is to discover the most functional and cost effective way to ship a product without damage. It’s difficult to keep costs down without adding extra criteria. There are many creative ways to reduce packaging costs and still benefit the environment and your customer in the long run.

what are the traits of eco friendly packaging?

1. reduced volume, weight and layers of materials
2. renewable materials that are organic and biodegradable
3. recyclable materials
4. minimize the impact of labels, tape and other bi-products
5. materials that can be kept out of the waste stream completely
6. avoid the use of toxic or harmful material
7. minimal effect on the environment – no emissions, limited water and energy use
8. reusable packaging

In our next article I will look at some solutions to reduce or eliminate the need for excessive packaging. Do have any other indicators you would like to add to the list?

easiest green changes to implement

1. if you don’t need it, don’t buy it
2. bring a green bag with you everywhere
3. bring a coffee or drinking mug too

changes that create the biggest green impact

1. stop drinking bottled water
2. replace all your paper products with a cloth option (i.e. napkins, paper towel)
3. buy local & organic food – support your local economy

green changes that will save you the most money

1. changing to LED lights will save the most in the long run, but even going from incandescent bulbs to CFLs will save up to 90% in energy and emissions.
2. energy efficient appliances will save you a small fortune and can also get you tax credits
3. getting rid of you car – going autoshare, bike or public transport (and it’s healthier too)

here are some government rebate information sites

Australia: Australian Government, Office of the Renewable Energy Regulator

Canada: Natural Resources Canada

UK: Energy Saving Trust

US: US Department of Energy

I think we are heading in the right direction this year. Next week will continue to discuss the 3Rs and look at the reuse part of the formula.

So, why am I writing about the Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen 2009? Clearly, I must think it’s a waste of time right? Wrong. I think Copenhagen is a big eye opener for the world. BUT… smog alerts, lost habitat, dirty water, oil spills, dried up resources, barren fishing grounds, increased sickness due to pollutants, drought, famine, floods, melting ice caps, strange weather (this list goes on and on)…these should all be eye openers too – think about Katrina. I would have thought that these things would be enough to create change.

Awareness and Change

So, Copenhagen is a wonderful “event” that clearly does two things – it creates acknowledgment by the whole world that there is an issue. Most people follow leaders – until someone else does something the average individual will simply try to look after himself and his family. But the acknowledgment of climate change by key leaders promotes awareness and starts to educate us. It is one catalyst for change. Swift and drastic changes.

There is a second thing and there is a big IF on this one. The climate change conference coupled with recent global collapse potentially creates a global economy centered on the environment. There will be commitments by countries with funding created to resolve these problems. The world will be able to make a shift IF the focus is put on carbon reduction and other environmental issues.

Want to know a secret?

A car is a car. A fossil fuel is a fossil fuel. Consumption is consumption. If you replace a car with an environmentally friendly car or you change your house to be energy efficient it is still not solving the problems. Consumption is the problem. The car still needs to be made with raw materials and is still something that you will eventually throw out.

A key way to change the situation dramatically is to change how you consume products – this change means a change in values. Our values need to be based on important activities with a lower impact on the world – not on things. Using less, not replacing them with something else is paramount.

No amount of awareness or government interaction is going to make these changes. It is not up to your neighbor or the country next door. It’s up to you. If all the YOU’s make simple changes in habits it adds up. We’ve had 50 years of gorging ourselves. Now it’s time to pay the piper.

Want to know another secret?

Green, simple living is pretty cool and very fulfilling. I saw the need 20 years ago and have love nature and the environment for my whole life. The changes to simplicity where easy for me I did them over time, each one prompting me to want more. I knew the changes were coming and there will be more of them, some even harsher than the global disasters and economic fall out that we have witnessed. I felt none of it on a personal level – but was sad to see how the planet and everyone else was affected.

simple siment - so now, I would encourage each of you to make simple changes every day. Small changes that you won’t feel. Add a new change each and every day. Reduce your consumption. Refuse to use. Refuse to buy products that harm. Educate yourself. Become aware. Share your knowledge. Protect your children and the life forms on this planet.

I think we are all worth it. That’s why I do it.