Buzz
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DCLMain Takeaways
- Packing peanuts, once a common choice, are gradually being replaced by more environmentally friendly options that either repurpose waste materials or offer reusability.
- Popular eco-friendly packing materials include newspapers, magazines, old clothing, junk mail, office paper scraps, and reusable sandwich bags.
- Innovative and sustainable options for filling packages include yarn, used plastic bags, and even popcorn, which serve as cushioning while helping reduce waste.
Packing peanuts are like the oil sludge of the packing world. If you have some laying around, reusing packing peanuts is always a better option than discarding them. However, if you're avoiding environmentally harmful packing materials, there are many alternatives that either recycle waste or offer something useful for the recipient.
10 Eco-friendly Packing Materials
1. Newspaper: Whether balled up, torn into strips, or simply used to wrap items, your daily newspaper can serve as an excellent packing material before it's recycled.
2. Magazines: Pages from magazines are perfect for cushioning breakables, and you can crumple them up just as you would newspaper.
3. Old Clothes: Repurpose threadbare or torn shirts, jeans, and other clothing to fill space around items or use larger pieces to shield fragile objects.
4. Junk Mail: Known for its contribution to waste, junk mail can be scrunched up to take up space in packages.
5. Office Paper Waste: Shredded paper from your office makes an excellent packing filler for many packages. (Tip: Even though it's shredded, avoid using paper with confidential information that was once printed on it.)
6. Re-sealable Sandwich Bags: Clean and reuse re-sealable bags filled with air to create cushioning in packages that are a bit underfilled.
7. Wrapping Paper: Some choose to reuse wrapping paper from larger gifts, though it may not look as fresh. Instead, save it for packing future gifts you’ll send through the mail.
8. Yarn: Skip wasteful packaging materials and instead use a skein or two of yarn to fill packages meant for knitters and crafters. 9. Plastic Bags and Packaging: Flexible plastic bags and packaging are excellent space fillers and provide great protection for fragile items. 10. Popcorn: It may sound unusual, but when sending a package to a friend or family member, you can use small bags of freshly popped popcorn to pad any extra space. It’s a delightful treat and offers excellent cushioning for many items.
