Using good quality packing material is crucial when it comes to boxing up valuable and fragile items. Whether you are a business owner and send out your products in boxes or occasionally require packing material when you move or want to put stuff in storage, choosing the right packing material is essential.
There is all kind of packing material available in the market; sadly, most of them are non-recyclable and takes years to degrade. Wasteful packaging is a persistent problem worldwide; our environment is suffering only because people are not considerate of how much waste they produce.
The great news is now you can stop being guilty of using excessive packing material by recycling it appropriately.
Start recycling packing materials today!
Recycling used packing materials can be your way to give back to the earth. By recycling the waste accumulated from packing material, you will play your part in improving this world. Wasteful packing is hurting our environment in more ways than one might think; air pollution, littering, water pollution, and danger to sea and wildlife are just the tip of the ice-burg
Recycling packing material can be your first step towards sustainable living; you can repurpose old packing material and decrease your carbon footprint. Recycling old packing material can maximise its use and get the best bang for your buck. Recycling makes you think resourcefully, minimise waste and play your part in emptying the landfills.
How To Recycle Packing Material For Storage?
Hundreds of people receive large cardboard boxes on their front porches, and cardboard boxes stuffed with packing peanuts and bubble wrap are the standard practice when delivering. If you want to recycle this packing material but don’t know how to go about it, we will guide you through the way.
Eco-friendly packing material has become relatively common nowadays; businesses are switching to sustainable packaging that can be recycled and repurposed. Still, some materials cannot be recycled.
We have listed the most commonly used packing material and whether it can be recycled or not.
Plastic Tape
Plastic tape is the most commonly used packing material; no matter what you have to pack, sealing it with heavy-duty plastic tape is a must. Even though the plastic tape is very useful, it cannot be recycled.
However, some sustainable alternatives to the dreaded plastic tape are cheap, easily available, and not harmful to our environment. Some readily available options for recyclable tape are listed below.
- Paper tape
- Water-activated tape
- Plant-based tape
- Cellophane tape
- Tape made with cotton fabric
Cardboard Boxes
All kinds of cardboard boxes are recyclable and reusable. Make sure you take off any plastic tape or tag before giving them for recycling. If you have a few good-quality cardboard boxes lying around, the best way to repurpose them is up to your creativity.
Many people do not throw away cardboard boxes; they can be used to store all kinds of stuff. If you have a storage unit, you can fill these boxes with unused items and store everything safely. These cardboard boxes also come in handy when moving and require countless boxes.
Mailers
Mailers are also commonly used as packing material for things that do not require a box. Small objects, documents, and receipts are often mailed to people in mailers. Most of the mailers are recyclable, given that you strip all the tapes or plastic from them. Some businesses use polyethene mailers, which are hard to recycle, but it’s still possible.
If you are in a position where you have to use mailers often, below are some sustainable mailer options.
- Kraft paper mailers
- Padded mailers
Cushioning Material
Every box you pack, whether commercial or domestic, requires cushioning material to make it extra safe. Cushioning material is added to packages because they absorb any shock and impact and ensure everything remains in one piece.
Various kinds of cushion materials are available in the market, including packing peanuts and bubble wraps. Bubble wraps are made from low-density polyethene, which cannot be easily recycled. Some options for eco-friendly cushioning material are given below.
- Crinkle paper
- Corn-starch-based packing peanuts
- Kraft paper wraps
How To Make Packing Material Last Longer?
Apart from making the conscious decision to use eco-friendly packing material, you also have the option to maximise the usage of the packing material in your use. Reusing every box and paper will put less waste into landfills.
Below are some helpful tips to help you make your packing material last longer.
Empty And Clean
Reusing old packing material can only be possible if you store everything properly. Once you have opened up your package, you have to empty it. Make sure you don’t leave any packing peanuts or wrapping paper; it is completely wiped out.
Make sure you take off all the plastic tape and stapler pins if you plan to store your boxes for longer.
Categories
Now that you have your empty cardboard boxes and all the packing material with you, divide them into further categories. By arranging them in groups of similar size, you can store them in an organised.
Dividing your packing material into similar groups will help you grab your required thing quickly and efficiently.
Flatten Everything
You must have sufficient space if you store a lot of packing material. In order to save space and make everything organised, flatten every box and wrapping paper you want to store.
Boxes will take up significantly less space once they are flattened and hold up nicely for a long time.
In A Nutshell
It’s about time we take the deteriorating condition of our environment seriously and take appropriate measures to salvage whatever little we have. Wasteful packaging contributes heavily to air pollution, littering, and water pollution. Every time we throw away a box, paper, flyer, or mailer, we unconsciously participate in the problem.
Thankfully, there are quite a few options for sustainable packaging that can be recycled and reused multiple times. Make the switch today, so our generations can thank you later.
