tendlyn Recycled, Padded Mailers**by @simply.edie

One example is to offer exceptional unboxing experiences, but at what cost?Packaging

Your commitment to sustainability begins with green, sustainable packaging, and it doesn’t have to interfere with customer experience. Instead, it offers unique, guilt-free shopping possibilities.

What Exactly is Green-Sustainable Packaging?

tendlyn Recycled Mailerby @indikonstories

Sustainable packaging uses natural and toxic-free materials in packaging and shipping products. It’s also referred to as circular packaging or recyclable packaging.

The key objective is to decrease, if not completely discontinue, the use of disposable and non-recyclable materials among retailers.

Packaging options of this sort often fall into three categories:

Why Switch to Sustainable Packaging Solutions?

Having a basic understanding of circular packaging will help you determine why it’s worthwhile. If you’re still not convinced, here’s how going green can help you:

On top of all that, you’re helping to save the world one parcel at a time — and that’s priceless! In this article, you will discover which packaging options suit your products best. Whether you’re managing a small business or overseeing a large warehouse, integrating smart systems like an industrial control module can streamline your operations, just as choosing the right packaging material simplifies your shipping process.

♻️ 7 Examples of Eco-Friendly Packaging Materials

Make sure you keep your current process and your products in mind when selecting new circular packaging solutions. Create a budget and evaluate your available options.

Here’s our best picks to help you work out your green sustainable packaging:

1. Corrugated Cardboard Boxes

A corrugated cardboard box is a circular packaging solution with ruffled, multiple-layered flutes. It’s popular among retailers because it’s lightweight, so it doesn’t add much to the product’s weight which defines the shipping cost. Corrugated flutes also offer strong, crushing resistancefor extra safety.

This green sustainable packaging comes in different sizes and is ideal for custom packaging of almost all types of products.

You can also perk up your box’s branding with biodegradable tapes, stickers, and stamps. Here’s how a handmade polymer clay earrings shop Huni and Beausestendlyn’s eco-friendly Kraft Boxes– a perfect example of simple but strong branding.

tendlyn Stock Kraft BoxandCustom Stampby @huni.and.bea

2. Compostable Mailers

As of 2021, 2.14 billiononline shoppers exist, making parcel delivery a routine shopping process. Unfortunately, the bulk of this packaging waste goes straight to landfills. To reduce environmental impact, retailers have turned to compostable mailers.

This green sustainable packaging easily decomposes in six months. Experts have proven that these materials are better thannonbiodegradable materials because they’re highly compostable. For instance, ourCompostable Mailersare 100% made from PLA (polylactide) and PBAT (polybutylene adipate terephthalate).

If you have small-to-medium-sized, non-fragile items, this is your best option. Like this compostable packaging for tiny baby clothes from Moosey Moose Official.

tendlyn Compostable Mailerby @mooseymooseofficial

3. Bio Poly Mailers

Bio poly mailers are almost the same as compostable mailers, except the materials are from polyethylene, a biodegradable polymer. After they reach the end of their lifecycle, manufacturers can recycle them into new mailers.

This green sustainable packaging is appropriate for you if you’re selling bulky items (e.g. adult clothing, shoes). Extra-large poly mailers are also perfect custom packaging. Here’s an example of a customized packaging design from a clothing brand, Kestin.

@kestin.co

4. Plant-Based Materials

Some 61% of consumersfind interest in brands that create or use plant-based products. So whenTetra Pak

Some examples of plant-based packaging solutions are bioplastics, cellulose, and sugarcane pulp. They all come from renewable resources that break down naturally over time.

Moreover, a studyconfirmed that they enhance the food products’ quality and safety. It’s one of the reasons they’re common in companies that produce consumables, such as food and drinks. One brand making waves with its sustainable packaging isCoca-Cola

5. Recycled Paper and Plastic

Paper accounts for almost 26%of total waste at landfills. This translates to 386 million hectares of forest cut down or burned worldwide over a decade. The easiest, collective effort to reduce those numbers is through recycling.

Recycled paper and plastic are circular packaging materials. For instance, the tendlyn Kraft Maileris made from FSC-certified recycled paper, which means they’re recyclable up to 5 to 7 times.

They’re best for products that don’t require much space or protection during delivery like soaps, wallets, and accessories. Get inspiration on how to use it as a green sustainable packaging from Today’s Modern Bebe, an eco-friendly baby clothing brand.

tendlyn Kraft Mailerby @todaysmodernbebe

6. Biodegradable Packing Peanuts

Protecting delicate and sensitive goods with packing peanuts is essential. But not all packing peanuts are biodegradable. Some are made from polystyrene foam also known as styrofoam, which becomes post-consumer waste for at least 500 years, according to Washington University.

On the other hand, biodegradable packing peanuts come from natural sources, such as starch and wheat. If you want to check if your packing peanuts are biodegradable, simply put a couple of them in running water and see if they dissolve.

The purpose of these cushions is to guard against shock when packing and moving sensitive and breakable, such as mugs, cosmetics, and candles. For reference, Zest Soy Candlesuses attractive, biodegradable packing peanuts as a part of their green sustainable packaging.

Packing Peanuts. Image by @zestsoycandlesuk

7. Recyclable Padded Mailers

Humans exhaust 50%of plastic for single use, and the classic bubble wrap packaging is included in this. As a counter-effort, experts develop a new packaging alternative in the style of recyclable padded mailers.

This circular packaging is 100% recycled paper or plastic with extra padding to aid as a cushion. The padding may consist of reusable bubble wraps or shredded newsprints, making it ideal for protecting fragile goods such as electronic devices.

As for tendlyn’s Padded Mailers, the padded layers are from soft plastics, which are suitable for curbside recycling. They also come with a double adhesive strip for easy reusable use. Here’s howSarah & Bendrixuses them for their natural wooden toys.

tendlyn Recycled, Padded Mailerby @sarahandbendrix

Be a Sustainability Hero With Circular Packaging

As a society, we’re all accountable for the environmental damage that has already occurred. But as business owners, we have the innovative practices to make a change — and it starts with our packaging solutions. Weigh your options, do your research and find what suits your products best.

Ready to start your brand’s journey towards sustainability? Browse tendlyn’s range of environmentally friendly and customizable packaging options here.