Black Otter Trading Post

At some point, everyone needs packaging solutions for shipping something to a friend or relative in another city or state. Shipping outlets are particularly busy during the holiday seasons which typically begin sometime in early November or late October. There are many different styles and types of shipping containers and the packaging materials a shipping company could provide to their customers in order to make sure their items arrive safely and securely to their destination.

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.

Using less Styrofoam packing peanuts is one of the ways a shipping company is doing their part to help save the environment. Styrofoam is not biodegradable and will stay in a landfill for years and years. If a shipping company does come upon these little packing materials, they will use them and ask their customers to return them for recycling and reusing in another person’s package, this way they will stay in circulation as long as possible and not end up in the landfill.

Bubble wrap and plastics are another concern of those who want to make the earth a better place for those who come behind us. Reusing and recycling this type of plastic is one of the answers. Another is to use recycled plastic wraps to begin with. There are several major companies that manufacture plastic packaging materials that are made from plastic bottles and plastic shopping bags as well as other materials. Once someone receives a package with this type of recycled plastic wrap in it, they could then used again and again.

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.

A great way to help save the landfills from overflowing with packaging materials is to return an empty box and the packaging materials to the shipping company. After a birthday gift or package from an online store has been received, a shipping company might consider taking the packaging materials and box back to be used again. Some of the boxes are sturdy enough to be used several more times and the tape used to close boxes is very strong.

People ship all kinds of items everyday and there are a few things that can not be shipped. These would include anything that is dangerous such as flammable liquids or sharp objects. These items pose a hazard to the carriers who handle and deliver the packages in addition to the drivers. It is imperative that a customer be honest and upfront about what they are shipping. The best way to ship anything is to leave it unwrapped and out of the box and allow the professionals at a shipping store to package it up and ready it for shipping. They will know exactly how much paper and padding an item will need in order to arrive in one piece and not over do it.

There are many Earth friendly Packaging solutions available for people who ship a lot of items each week or something only once in a while. Remembering to use less, use recycled materials and recycle and reuse what one receives is a good way to do ones part to help the Earth from an overload of packaging materials.

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