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Eco friendly packaging

5/12/2019

20 Comments

 
Plastic free card packaging - Willowynn.com
Plastic-free card packaging
I've been looking for a more eco-friendly / plastic-free way to package my sets of greeting cards, postcards and art prints. Up until now I've used the standard resealable 'cello sleeve' to protect my card sets and prints when posting out to customers, thinking that these were cellophane and made of cellulose (plants).  A couple of weeks ago, I ran out so went to order some more and found that, here in Australia, the resealable 'cello sleeves' are mostly not cellulose at all, but plastic. In fact, I read that (correct me if I'm wrong) if they are resealable (in Australia), they are almost certainly plastic. 
As I'm trying to reduce the amount of plastic I use, I had to find a new way to package my cards for mailing to customers. So I did a bit of research and here's what I discovered...

​Compostable, cellophane bags

These are made from biodegradable cellulose, which is a product made from plant fiber. Just make sure they are not plastic and that they are definitely made from cellulose (plants). The bags come in a range of sizes, look and feel like plastic but can be home composted. I couldn't find any that self-seal here in Australia (lots overseas but I'm trying to shop local) so ordered some open cellophane bags at Buy Eco Green.  I just use my logo sticker (paper) to seal the bag, and I think they look great. You could even use a bit of washi tape (made from paper, see below) or tie some twine or cotton string around the whole thing.
Picture
Compostable cellulose bags

Glassine paper envelopes 

Glassine is a specially pressed, smooth, shiny and transparent paper that is apparently water, air and grease proof. Much stronger than tissue paper and doesn't tear easily. It's also acid free and PH neutral so is perfect for storing precious artworks, photographs and collectible stamps.

You can buy it in sheets for wrapping, or as envelopes or bags. I ordered small glassine envelopes for packaging my card sets. I think they look really sweet and I love that they're completely compostable and recyclable - I'd love them even more if they were made from recycled paper.  
Glassine envelope for packaging greeting cards
Glassine paper envelopes
Plastic free glassine paper card packaging

Tape

Plastic sticky tape has always made me feel uncomfortable. Every Christmas morning as a child, I would try to take the sticky tape off all of the used wrapping paper strewn across the living room floor, before either carefully smoothing and folding the paper, or putting the un-salvageable paper in the recycling bin (a big job in a family with five kids). But what do you do with the sticky tape??? I guess you could put it in with the soft plastics recycling at your supermarket (if you have that in your area) but even that concerns me. What did we do before sticky tape?
Plastic sticky tape alternatives
Plastic sticky tape alternatives
Some alternatives to plastic sticky tape: 
  • If your item is wrapped (in recycled or reused paper of course :), use string or twine to tie it all up, or,
  • a sticker made of recyclable paper - printed with your logo, an image or text.
  • Washi tape - a very beautiful Japanese paper tape made from bamboo, hemp or tree bark, is completely compostable and recyclable, and comes in an endless range of colours and patterns.
  • A paper bag.
  • Wrap your item in nice fabric or use a fabric drawstring bag.
For packing boxes and mailers:
  • Paper packing tape - a gummed, water-activated, kraft paper tape. I get mine from my local art and framing store as I use it to stretch my watercolour paper (but that's another story). It's compostable and recyclable, and you can write or stamp on it. 
  • Glue (non toxic and biodegradable) - you could seal reused envelopes or tough mailing bags (or even boxes) with a strong biodegradable craft glue. Just make sure it's made from natural ingredients (not petrochemicals), biodegradable and the packaging is recycled or at least recyclable. 
  • Biodegradable cello tape - made from cellulose so it's biodegradable. Though I feel this should be avoided and only used as a last resort. I need to do some more research on the biodegradable sticky tape and how biodegradable it really is and what would happen if it goes in with the paper recycling...

Mailing bags and envelopes

Tough paper or rigid cardboard mailers and envelopes are great as they can be composted or recycled (as long as there's no plastic tape). ​You can even go one step further by re-using old mailers. I keep my my used cardboard mailers (and my local post office holds on to their used mailers for me). I'm a bit over particular about how things look so I've started turning mine inside-out and making new tough envelopes for mailing my card sets to customers (see pics below). I find it fun :) 
Reused mailer
My reused, inside-out cardboard mailers.
Reused mailer

​Of course, larger items can be mailed in used cardboard boxes, but I'll be trying to avoid the plastic tape from now on (see above). And, while I'm on the topic of larger items, I'm always torn as to whether or not I should use the plastic bubble wrap that I've been hoarding from parcels I've received in the mail. I do use it to protect some of my soft sculptures when posting, hoping that the recipient will then re-use it and that it will be used over and over in this way. Maybe that's wishful thinking. I guess I could put it in with the soft plastics recycling... and find an alternative. 
Anyway, these are my thoughts on the packaging I'll now use for my cards (and other things) and I hope it's been helpful. Maybe you'd like to share some ideas that I haven't thought of, or correct me if I've got anything wrong! I'd love to hear your suggestions in the comments below. 
​
Margeaux
20 Comments
Megan
6/12/2019 05:05:48 pm

Here in South Africa, the plasticker the better. I don't think people will ever get the idea. However, when I'm in Germany, I'm wowed by ecowarriors and how much they care. I'm so happy to know that you're doing your bit too!
Have you considered shredded paper instead of bubble wrap? When I was a child, I loved playing with the paper strips that were packed around items in a fragile parcel. I suppose wood wool (wood shavings that are used to package soft fruit) would also work but it's more messy.
We have an office paper shredder and use it to shred documents before composting them or making paper bricks, which we use for fuel in winter.
The disadvantage of both shredded paper and wood wool is that it would make your parcel a bit heavier.

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Margeaux link
6/12/2019 05:47:40 pm

Thanks for your suggestions Megan. I like the idea of shredded paper to cushion products in the mail. I hope the mindset does change, especially with big companies and consumers as it's a significant problem (that may be an understatement).

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Andrea Burnap
7/12/2019 11:07:20 am

It's so great that you're aware of this important issue and doing the research, and trying to be as sustainable as possible in your packaging! I thank you and the Earth thanks you!

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Margeaux Davis link
8/12/2019 08:18:23 am

Thank you Andrea. Obviously, there's more I could do. One step at a time I guess.

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Jacinta link
18/12/2019 08:50:05 pm

I always love to get thoughtfully packaged products. Nothing worse than a box full of plastic which makes you feel guilty for buying it in the first place.

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Margeaux link
28/1/2020 05:11:07 pm

Thank you Jacinta! I feel the same way :)

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Jess link
16/10/2020 04:58:44 pm

Thank you for sharing this Jacinta! I'm currently designing all my packaging, thank you cards and bits and pieces to go with my art prints and there is so much to consider and research when you're trying to it all environmentally friendly.
Question: Did you make the tiny 'these bags are compostable stickers' or did they come with the bags?

Reply
Margeaux Davis link
19/10/2020 09:36:43 am

Thanks Jess. Yes, there is quite a bit to consider and, depending on where you are in the world, tricky to source as well. Less is best I think.
I got the tiny stickers from a maker on Etsy.com.

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Trisha
19/10/2020 06:16:08 pm

Hi. May I know where you got your Glassine paper envelopes?

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Margeaux Davis link
21/10/2020 10:38:58 am

Hi Trisha,
I bought my glassine paper envelopes from a seller on Ebay.

Reply
Janelle Espinoza
27/1/2021 01:34:36 am

Hi. Thank you for this wonderful information! I was just reading my latest copy of UpperCase (I think your company appeared in there if I'm not mistaken) and reading how everyone was using Eco-friendly packaging made me want to do the same with my art. However, I didn't know where to turn. I searched on it today and your article was the first one to appear!!! Lucky me. Thank you for providing this to all of us!!

Reply
Margeaux Davis link
27/1/2021 07:23:11 am

You are so welcome Janelle. I was hoping that, what I discovered, would be of help to someone looking for plastic alternatives.

Best wishes
Margeaux

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Megan Forward link
4/11/2021 12:05:36 pm

love your article! Just researching exactly the same issue myself. Interesting re the cello bags, I too thought mine were cellulose and compostable.

Reply
Margeaux Davis link
8/11/2021 05:41:25 pm

Thank you Megan! I wish biodegradable packaging was the norm and not something that has to be researched. Maybe one day :)

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Cristina Bencina
29/12/2021 03:39:22 am

Thanks. I would like to note though that glassine is not waterproof.. It may resist but if your package is in the rain, it does risk the possibility of getting the artwork wet. My problem is I tried looking at eco friendly cellophane, which I have seen, but they are not acid free, which is unfortunate.

Reply
Margeaux Davis link
29/12/2021 09:13:54 am

Hi Christina,
Yes, the glassine paper is not completely waterproof so you wouldn't use that alone if you thought it might be left in the rain.
Maybe the artwork could be wrapped in glassine paper (as it is acid free) and then put into a cellophane bag to protect it from water...

Reply
Shannon link
8/8/2022 01:25:07 pm

Hello. Thank you SO much for sharing this research. I share your concerns and have been also trying to find an eco friendly option for sharing my art prints. I love that you've done this research and care enough to implement it. Thank you again!

Reply
Margeaux Davis link
17/8/2022 10:53:48 am

Ah thank you very much Shannon! I'm so glad it has been helpful :)

Margeaux

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Brandi Ramae link
5/2/2023 05:47:25 pm

Hi! While searching for a solution to display my handmade greeting cards at craft shows, I came across your site and this article. I realize this article was written years ago but better late than never, right? Anywho...let me first say that your work is just amazing! I love it and I am so thankful that you completed this research and shared it for people like me to find years later. It is very helpful (even for those of us living in the USA)! Thank you, thank you!!

Reply
Margeaux Davis link
8/2/2023 03:35:05 pm

My pleasure Brandi! And thank you for your kind feedback. I'm so pleased you found it useful.

Margeaux

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    Margeaux Davis aka Willowynn

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