Shipping something of importance’s, such as a gift, will need creative packaging solutions from a store that has experience in the shipping business. Most shipping companies are busiest during the holiday season of October through January. Depending on what a person is trying to send and to where, there are many different shipping package options available in addition to different packaging materials. The goal of a shipping company is to make sure a package arrives in one piece with no damage and on time. Time is secondary to having the item not broken.
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.
Now that more people are concerned with the environment and either shipping less or wanting less air shipped with their valuable or breakable items, a packaging design has been altered to be smaller. This smaller package may still hold the same amount of products or the same size item, only there would be less room for packaging materials and air. There has never been any proof that air is a good source of protection against cracking or other damage in shipping and receiving.
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.
There are certain containers for certain items. For example, if someone needs to ship something flammable or sharp, they need to tell the shipper of this so they can prepare a special container and be safe when handling the item. Everyone from the person who packages and sends off the box to the people who handle the box and the truck drivers will need to know that there is something potentially hazardous in the box so they are all safe.
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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