It doesn’t matter what the size of your company or the nature of your brand is, you know that showing environmental awareness isn’t just good for the earth, it’s also great PR. Take a look at what you can do to reduce your impact on the environment and communicate your stance to your customers. It’s time to really look at how you can go green with environmentally friendly packaging.
Reality Check
First, a hard truth: it’s important to understand that much of the packaging out there that claims to be “made from recycled materials” or “totally recyclable” isn’t always what you think. Sometimes this packaging isn’t exclusively repurposed waste, or it may not even be able to be completely reused. Since different types of plastics must be separated, your best bet to get as close to “100% recyclable” as possible is to opt for cardboard packaging and boxes. As our custom boxes are made from cardboard, we’re proud to say that Custom Boxes Now’s boxes are indeed 100% recyclable.
Cardboard in Comparison
Did you know that even a tiny bag of chips you get from the vending machine on your afternoon break is made from up to seven layers of plastics and foils? Even smaller, single-serving food products that have worked to limit the amount of plastic used in their packaging often go un-recycled thanks to leftover food in the containers. And it’s no big secret how bad plastic water bottles are for the environment.
Fortunately, with cardboard there is a solution, even for difficult-to-package items. And, since the fibers used to create both cardboard and corrugated boxes are especially strong, they can be re-used multiple times. Consider offering customers who recycle their packaging (or drop it back off at your store) an “environmentally-friendly” discount on their next order.
DID YOU KNOW??? For every ton of cardboard that is recycled, we’re able to save 9 cubic yards of space in a landfill. That’s a big difference.
Get Your Name Out There
Have extra boxes at the end of the quarter, or accidentally over-ordered on custom holiday boxes? Send out an email or publish an ad in the paper letting people know you have free moving boxes available. Not only will this bring new people to your store and call attention to your products, it will also establish your company as one of the good guys.
Encourage Your Customers to Recycle Packaging
One surefire way to ensure your customers are getting the most out of their packaging, even after they’ve unboxed their product? Give customers recyclable packaging ideas, and be sure to provide them with ways they can reuse their packaging. Maybe it can be folded into a picture frame, small pencil-cup, or holder for knick-knacks. Print ideas for crafts they can do with their children involving your packaging (remember how much mileage you got out of empty boxes as a kid?) You’re not only fostering creativity, you’re also communicating to your customers that you’ve considered the environmental impact of your products.
Now that you’re aware of how you can help protect the environment, consider switching your current packaging over to cardboard options. Why not create an entirely new, custom package design in the process? That way, you, the earth, your company, and your customers win. What’s not to love about that?
To start your own project, click here or contact us and we’ll help you with all your questions.
