One-half of all municipal solid waste is comprised of packaging and packaging related materials. As we watch our waste overfill our landfills and then through urban-runoff find its way into our oceans its becomes clear, we all need to be actively managing our own packaging waste.
Sustainable Packing Strategies
Save your shredded paper to use as "free" and recyclable package filler. You double the effective usage of the paper in question and paper in comparison to Styrofoam is a more environmentally sound choice.
If you feel uncomfortable with your shredded documents being used for packaging filler then use cornstarch based packing peanuts instead of Styrofoam. Cornstarch packing peanuts dissolve in water and leave no toxic waste behind.
In a pinch another biodegrading packing option is air-popped popcorn. After shipment the popcorn can be placed outside to biodegrade and feed local birds.
As fun as it is to pop, you should save your plastic bubble wrap and re-use it when packing the contents of your package.
Keep boxes you receive in the mail and reuse them when shipping out new packages.
Free Recycled/Recyclable Shipping Boxes from the US Government
If you don't have any boxes handy a good source of free recycled/recyclable boxes is the United States Postal Service (USPS). You can order free boxes from the USPS here:
- http://shop.usps.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductCategoryDisplay? beginIndex=0&page>
While reusing boxes is a good general strategy, you should always try to correctly match the size of your box to the size of your package. The less weight you ship the less energy will be needed to ship it - and larger boxes with more packing filler generally weigh more.
Environmentally Friendly Shipping Choices
When it comes to the best shipping method for the environment its clear - ground. While it may require a few more days to arrive it's more energy efficient and creates less pollution if you skip all airplane based delivery methods.
Smarter Choices Can Save Money and are Better for the Environment
Not only are many of these strategies environmentally sound they are financially sound as well. Why pay for boxes when you can reuse existing boxes or get new ones for free? Shipping ground is cheaper will always be cheaper than shipping by air. Make smart choices and help reduce the waste that growing at an exponential rate around us.
Sam Greyhawk is an energy efficiency evangelist working with Cool-N-Save(tm), an Energy Star Partner, based in Huntington Beach, California
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