There has been a real shift in the general public’s awareness of how much plastic we consume and discard in everyday life over the past few years. You only need to look at social media to see the impact we are having on the oceans. This increased hype around plastic has made it even more important to find alternatives to plastic packaging, and many brands are looking for new solutions including green packaging.

Here at Quickbox we are very focused on sustainability and creating packaging solutions that are environmentally-friendly. Being a packaging supplier, we feel it is our responsibility to source alternatives to plastic packaging. We want to help businesses achieve their goals, whilst reducing the effect on the environment. One of the common misconceptions of green packaging is the expense. That is why we are focused on delivering high-quality products at competitive prices. Let’s have a look at some alternatives to plastic packaging.

Plastic bag alternatives

In the postal industry, sealed plastic bags are one of the most common sources of plastic. They provide a sealed, airtight shield without adding any real volume or size to the product. Are plastic bags really necessary though? With tools like our instant box quote calculator, we are able to create bespoke boxes to suit any size product.

Depending on the type of product you are looking to post, there may be some additional empty space in comparison with a bag, but it is still a much greener solution. Die-cut boxes are extremely versatile and come in a variety of styles and sizes, including our very popular range of letterbox boxes for flowers, bottles and anything else inbetween. Allowing you to maintain high presentation standards, and ensuring your product arrives in the hands of your customers looking as good as when it left you.

Bubble wrap alternatives

Bubble wrap is another large source of plastic waste. Although it can actually be recycled at many recycling centers throughout the UK, not many people are aware of this. There are lots of good alternatives to bubble wrap, and whilst they may not always provide the exact same level of protection they still work very well.

Some great alternatives to bubble wrap are single face corrugated paper and loose fill paper. These products are more versatile as you can use them to fill the spaces within your box. If you choose bubble wrap you have to find a box that fits around the wrapped product, which can become tricky if you have a delicate item to ship.

Cardboard dividers are also great if you are wanting to separate products within a cardboard box. Although they don’t wrap around products quite like bubble wrap does, items can be securely nested into their own compartments. These are great for regularly shaped products such as glass bottles and jars.

What if plastic packaging is the only option?

As a company, we try and take every step possible to reduce our carbon footprint. We understand that plastic has its uses and not all businesses are able to completely move away from using it. By choosing a UK manufacturer like us to supply your packaging, we will help you to eliminate waste and help you move in the right direction when it comes to reducing plastic. We are passionate about creating bespoke packaging that perfectly fits the product you are wanting to ship. This not only means that there is no excess packaging, but there is also less space in transit. This means you can fit more products into one shipment, reducing your overall carbon footprint.

Start by making small changes

We aren’t saying swap over to greener packaging overnight (unless your supplies are running low and you are in a position to make that change). Try doing things one step at a time and ensure everyone within the business is working towards the same sustainability goal. Focus on making those changes which are cost-effective first, and then move on from there.

If you would like any further information about the green packaging that we supply, or how to reduce the carbon footprint of your business, contact the Quickbox team today on 01472 868047.