Small Biz Tip #8 – Ways to make your Packaging more Eco-Friendly

I’m sure there are many ways we are trying to do our bit for the environment. Whether it be buying bamboo toothbrushes and reusable cotton pads or buying from local farmers markets. It’s all helping the planet in one way or another.

As a small business, being eco-friendly is something customers want to see more of. I’m definitely making a conscious effort to keep any packaging I receive through blogging, or just boxes from everyday items in the kitchen such as tea and cereal to reuse. And this is one of the easiest ways you can make your packaging more eco.

Reuse boxes and any packaging materials

Don’t just throw packaging away, everything has a use. Why not reuse a large cardboard box as a way of storing everything you receive. You can create you’re very own packaging treasure cove!

I really like that Little Gems Prints reuses the bubble wrap found at the bottom of strawberry punnets to protect the badges she sends in the post. Not only are you getting 1 of your 5 a day, but you are recycling the bubble wrap too!

Add a re-use reminder with packages

Everyone needs a reminder. So why not include a note in with your items to let customers know what you’ve re-used and how they can re-use it too.

I love what Lisa Berkshire does by putting a card in with her items to tell customers the bubble wrap has been reused and to encourage them to also re-use it. It’s a great way to help spread the word.

Home made confetti

From now on keep any old magazines and cards and grab some scissors. Either cut these up or tear them up to create a whole load of home made confetti!

This is exactly what Little Pig Jewellery Design does. The pig confetti in her packages is cut directly from envelopes/tissue/cards etc that are received.

Ditch the satin ribbon

There are plenty of alternatives such as twine or even eco-friendly ribbon that you can buy from Etsy shops. 

Handcrafted Books by Sue Day uses garden twine instead of ribbon for her packaging which is great to see (I’ve seen it first hand too!!).

Switch Sellotape for Paper Tape

This is one not a lot of people are aware of, but Sellotape is a single-use plastic so we should be all giving it a miss! The sticky residue/glue left behind makes it impossible to recycle.

Head over to Naturally Wrapt who sell a fabulous wide gummed brown paper tape which is perfect for sealing your parcels and packages. It is also tamper proof (as it can only be torn) which I think is brilliant too. Safe and eco, both at the same time.

Paper bags

Use paper bags instead of cellophane bags to package your cards or jewellery in. And don’t forget, if you are at markets and fairs give your items in a paper bag too – or even better, get people to use their own bags!

Doodlesworth posts all cards, badges and prints in paper bags now, instead of cellophane ones. 

If you have any other suggestions or ideas then please let me know! It’s great to share ideas with each other!