I’ll cut right to the chase, I’m not going to look at the commercial aspects of  eco friendly packaging but rather what individual consumers and small business can do to create a greener impact.

traditional  methods of packaging

Everything we buy has to come in some form of packaging to protect it from damage, deliver and market it. Traditional methods typically use the most cost effective solution to get the job done. Until recently, considering eco friendly packaging options was not a concern. Some traditional packages may be the most viable choice – for instance bringing a bottle of wine in a reusable organic bag is very sustainable.

make your own packaging

One of the best options is to use existing materials and re-purpose them to wrap, stuff, box, seal and label your products. Take a look around your house or office and consider the following ideas.

• Use an organic tote bag (i.e. made of hemp) to wrap it
• Get rid of existing magazines, tissues, papers and material
• Save old boxes  and material for reuse
• Use non-toxic, recycled and recyclable material
• Reduce labels and tape by binding it or writing directly on the package
• Send it in a reusable container like a cookie jar

Go to Make It and Mend It for some creative ideas and solutions for cards, packaging and more…

green choices for packaging

If you have to send larger quantities for your small business or need a more professional image you can still create your own using existing materials. For those that don’t have the time or creative flair a green designer can help you come up with a solution.

If you just want supplies look for an eco friendly packaging supplier to help with the following items

• wrapping paper made from recycled materials
• boxes that have been recycled (try box cycle first)
• alternatives to tape such as self tying packages
• biodegradable packing peanuts that can be reused or composted
• use the smallest, lightest choice possible

extreme choices for green packaging

There is still a few extreme options for packaging green that don’t work for everyone. Consider them if you want to make the greenest most minimal choice.

• don’t package the item at all and mark your address directly on it or tag it
• locally deliver the product “raw” without packaging (I will talk about delivery next week)
• offer a green delivery option and charge for packaging with a donation to a green fund
• create a reusable container that gets returned for your use

how to get rid of unwanted packaging

The best suggestions:

• Go to Kijiji and Craigslist and offer it for free, you can also find it this way
• Go to smaller local online classified ads
• Ask local shop owners or community groups if they can packaging
• Use Boxcycle to find or offer used packaging near you

There are many more creative ways to package your items. Seek solutions and discover new ideas. Don’t be afraid to copy what you see other people doing. A great idea is a great idea.

Next week I’m going to talk about the other half of the packaging – delivery and shipping. While I know there are a ton of ideas left out of this article, the idea is to give you sizeable chunks of information that is easy to digest. Please share your ideas and additions in the comment section so we can look at all the options available.

if you liked this post, take a gander at these ones!

• 8 traits of eco friendly packaging
• eco friendly shipping and delivery choices
• the challenge of buying green – habits that count
• environmental concerns of shipping
• ask these questions to reduce your consumption