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Etsy Insights: Small steps towards sustainability
Hi! I’m Anne and my shop is Belgianpaperworks, a shop focused on handmade luminaries for the holidays. Sustainability is a way of life at my home as well as in my business. My art is made from 100% sustainable papers, and my packaging and shipping materials are almost 100% sustainable. In my workshop, which is powered by 100% geothermal energy, nothing goes to waste: I use offcuts from one paper to create the small details I use in my other designs.
In celebration of Earth Day, I’m sharing some ways you can incorporate sustainability into your shop. I hope you find them helpful!
- If an overall change to sustainable packaging materials seems daunting, start small. When made consistently, even incremental changes can add up to a significant impact you can feel proud of. For example, you may wish to switch to a recycled cardboard mailer, a glassine bag instead of clear poly, or even eco-friendly thermal shipping labels.
For example, most recently, I wanted to move away from the single-use cellophane bags I had used to package my luminaries. I considered several options, including a compostable clear “plastic,” but in the end, I selected a beautiful glassine bag from EcoEnclose. It is thoughtfully constructed and quite elegant, and both compostable and curbside recyclable — perfect in every way! Not sure which products best suit your needs? Many eco-packaging companies will send you a generous free sample bundle, for which you may only pay a modest shipping fee.
- When it comes time to get your packages in the mail, consider arranging for your local carrier (I use USPS!) to collect packages at your door when they do your local mail delivery, it could mean one less car on the road, and it lets you concentrate on making the uniquely beautiful things you share with the world via Etsy.
- Incorporate a reusable item into your packaging. For example, a muslin bag might be used to protect your handmade products in shipping, and it can even be stamped with your logo for an additional branding opportunity!
- Look for packaging products printed with sustainable inks. Custom tissue and packing tape can be printed with soy inks on recyclable or compostable papers! I am currently designing a custom packaging tape for my shop, which will be compostable, recyclable, and printed with soy ink.
Sustainability has also helped me attract new buyers and build brand loyalty with existing buyers. By offering sustainable products and packaging, I can connect with my buyers who are eco-savvy and actively seeking out businesses and products with low environmental impacts. Take advantage of your item descriptions, your shop’s about section, and social media to tell buyers a little about your values, your sustainable practices, and how they can participate, for example, by recycling or composting your packaging materials.
What measures do you take to make your Etsy shop eco-friendly? I’d love to hear your ideas!
AksRugs
·3 years agohello
Purple21StoreShop
·3 years agoAnyone want to check out my shop?
I created a pamphlet of my own interview tips that I have used in the past that have gotten me many jobs. I created the pamphlet to share with others in the hopes that the tips can help them, especially individuals who are going after their first job.
I hope that it sells. I just my item for sale about 2-3 days ago.
MysticalArtNight
·3 years agothanks for sharing
Honneyas
·3 years agoThis 's very helpful for me. Thanks for your information
SAYStudioArt
·3 years agoYour sharing made me think about such a program as environmental protection. The environment is also a direction that everyone should pay attention to.
buddhiswar
·3 years agoWhat excitement. Thank you for the opportunity to talk to other creators. I am an artist. We make jute bags with all natural materials. Various hand painted images were created on the pair's bags using fabric colors. Today, chaat bags are one of the most useful items for de-pollution in the world. Actually my bags are big and of high quality that everyone can use very easily. Especially women
https://www.etsy.com/in-en/shop/buddhiswar?coupon=12212
C8DUCY
·3 years agoI like it！
UnderpriceShop
·3 years agoThanks for bringing this important point to our attention. I am convinced that eco friendly packages are the way to go. Also if you can salvage a package for sending out an order it will not end up in the wrong spot if everyone follows the same it will save a small part of the planet. Eco friendly packaging is available for sale at some stores just wish the post office would offer same, maybe some some do I haven't seen it yet but hopeful.
GeosTravelPaintings
·3 years agoThank you for sharing this. I walk to my USPS store when I can in order to minimize car emissions. Also, a fun excuse to go outside.
VerySpecialGift
·3 years agoIn my shop my works are made with eco friendly material. My lines and wools are ecological (cotton, corn and linen). In jewelry I use sand, whelks, shells and other sustainable products. the package are made with paper and recycled paper.
AndreaRosalee
·3 years agoAksRugs
·3 years agoWonderfull
StyleAestheticShop
·3 years agoRecycle recycle recycle. Repurpose everything
MightyMiteApparel
·3 years agoHey, everyone I’m new to Etsy and just want to greet everyone here
Coventum
·3 years agoWe use small envelopes for jewelry packaging so the material that we use are minimizing.
LavenueArtistic
·3 years agoHello my name is Konstantina and i am passionate about creating beautiful handmade macrame products that bring a touch of nature into your home. Inspired by the beauty and simplicity of natural materials, i love to create unique pieces that add warmth and personality to any space. As a lover of nature and life, i believe that our surroundings have a profound impact on our well-being and happiness, and i am committed to crafting products that help my customers feel more connected to the natural world. With each and every item i create, i pour my heart and soul into the design, ensuring that it's not only beautiful but also functional and durable. I hope you enjoy using my products as much as i enjoy making them!
TheEducatorGuide
·3 years agoCongratulations!!
Sivasta
·3 years agoThank you
Ankleknits
·3 years agoI love sustainable life, and I do what I can in my shop to be sustainable. Unfortunately for some reason companies charge more for packaging that is recycled or recyclable and sustainable.
thanks for sharing
CMDigitalShop
·3 years agoThank you for share
EwrilOffa
·3 years agoty for sharing
themahiboutique
·3 years agoI try to use up all the remnants into a product. Package my items in natural pouches!!
TimeAgainVintageCa
·3 years agoI ship all my items in biodegradable products as well ask my customers to recycle the shipping materials one completed! As well my stickers are paper based so they can be recycle too!
BestzHUB
·3 years agoThanks for sharing..
arkwoodartIN
·3 years agovery good............................
arkwoodartIN
·3 years agothanks for sharing
DreamGreatDreams
·3 years agoself deleted…
Mardevi
·3 years agoMany thanks for the information you shared
FashioBySandeep
·3 years agoWhy are my products not selling? While people also see my products.
GieseDeseiGns
·3 years agoAsk for a critique instead of hijacking another post you will get more help that way.
CharmsAndSpellsIn
·3 years agogreat information
GemsClick
·3 years agoThank you so much for information
BelgianPaperworks
OP3 years agoThanks everyone for your many kind comments and earth-friendly business practices! I've enjoyed reading your posts and even gotten some great ideas to try going forward.
Happy Earth Day!
Anne
FreeSoulStudioM
·3 years agoThank you Anne!
PressedByBecky
·3 years agoThank you for the information
westernjamnasha
·3 years agothanks
KatieRobertsStudio
·3 years agoGreat tips! I am a water-mixable oil painter and I craft my own live-edge frames using rescued slab wood (wood that would be burned for bonfires or maple sugaring). I also use bamboo artisan paper for my prints and cards and eco packaging. Thanks for this info!
FreshNFloralPrints
·3 years agoI do pure digital stationery and sell digital files. No paint, no paper, no waste. It is very eco friendly and highly creative work.
cancandlesuk
·3 years agoWe follow the same ethos. Out products are made using recycled aluminium cans, recycled paper/cotton wicks and naturally produced soy wax. Unlike other people we don’t use colours or scents as these tend to be synthetic. We pack our Cand-dles using recycled paper bubble wrap and stick them with paper tape. They do into recycled cardboard boxes and are sealed with more paper tape. I also sourced labels that are mad from recycled paper. I have also been trying to find a way to offset the co2 from the delivery process, but currently that’s not possible without a massive price increase from changing to a different deli service that offers co2 offset. We are looking at instead purchasing trees as part of a co2 offset plantation. Any better ideas would be greatly appreciated as we would like to expand our sales outside of the UK to Europe and the USA amongst others. TIA.
SurpriseJewelryStore
·3 years agoThank you for sharing
NaturalBeadsStudio
·3 years agoThank you so much for sharing
JodyDLangley
·3 years agolike it
buddhiswar
·3 years agoyes my shope all product is eco-friendly
DaydreamerAlley
·3 years agoI switched to glassine bags for my art prints and currently use almost all Eco-Enclose products including their rigid mailers which are so perfect for prints! Their rigid mailers let me reduce the amount of excess materials in my packages as I don't need an extra layer of cardboard to protect the prints with their mailers! I love that Etsy partnered up with them! Beyond that, I try to make all my marketing materials into works of art to discourage customers from throwing them away! I like to think of it as "functional marketing" and most of my customers love it!
Rugsforliving
·3 years agoThats what i follow for my rugs shop
wwe.etsy.com/shop/rugsforliving
Xenotees
·3 years agoI use recycled envelopes and tissue paper for shipping my orders. My envelopes are also reusable. I've been using Eco Enclose for many many years, and it makes me feel better about that aspect of my business. I also offer reusable dish towels and tote bags in my shop! Xenotees' Dish Towels + Xenotees' Tote Bags for Cat Lovers
I also use eco friendly products for printing and cleaning up my printing messes. I'm fully committed to doing as much as I can to make less waste and keep harmful products from ruining the environment and ecosystems!
FamousMimisLLC
·3 years agoAll of my ingredients are all natural, chemical free. I switched over from white plastic to glass bottles and jars. I buy my packaging materials from Eco Enclose. I use the USPS only for delivery.
lumishdesigns
·3 years agoHello, my shop is Lumishdesigns where i sell handmade bags. Our bags are mostly made from organic and sustainable yarns such as paper rope or raffia. Your advices are great for me as a newbie. Thanks!!
AksRugs
·3 years agoThank You So Much
RocktheGarden
·3 years agoReally great advice and things to think about incorporating into my shop. Thanks!
AWFPANSTORE
·3 years agoHello everyone, I have recently started using Jute bags for packing some of my pure copper water bottles and they are way more attractive and reusable.
My Jute bags that I offer with some of the water bottles are biodegradable and do not add pollution which makes the environment free from plastics.
Thank You!
GearGust
·3 years agoThank you for this useful info.
OurSerendipityStones
·3 years agoGood read. Thank you
beadmask
·3 years agoWonderful suggestions! Thank you for sharing them.
RedBlackCosplay
·3 years agoVery clear explanation. Thank you
EagleSkyLine
·3 years ago“Keep close to Nature’s heart… and break clear away, once in a while, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean.”
LibradesignsBySusan
·3 years agoI get my packages collected by postie or I walk to my local PO as it is not far away. I collect from family their cardboard packaging from a well known market place and recycle those. Every little helps.
ColorCratePrints
·3 years agoLove your efforts in keeping the world clean and sustainable. KUDOS!
Crochetswirls
·3 years agoI sell handmade crochet and knitted items. Most of my yarns are recycled or upcycled or from companies who have a significant record of sustainability. Although I do use poly bags for posting for protection, the item is presented in a reusable and super cute organza bag as well.
Also the tools I use to make my items are mostly rosewood and bamboo (feels so much nicer to work with!).
GeosTravelPaintings
·3 years agoThat is amazing how much you are able to use recycled/upcycled materials!
SkyOlaShop
·3 years agoThank you so much for information.
AuraNail
·3 years agoPersonalise365
·3 years agoHi
I have an army of family, friends, friends of friends who save all their packaging for me. They have set up a Whatsapp group and when I need packaging I just ask and they deliver to me. Literally my entire porch is filled with recycled packaging and I have so much that the excess is put in the loft for busy times like Christmas.
buddhiswar
·3 years agoThe world can be saved from natural pollution only using natural products
The product I use or sell is completely natural and the picture in hand is a great product we all use and protect the world from natural pollution
Everyone will be fine, stay healthy, keep others healthy
EmporiumHomes
·3 years agoHello Anne,
Thank you for sharing your tips on incorporating sustainability into an Etsy shop. It's great to hear that you're making a conscious effort to be eco-friendly in your business practices. I appreciate the suggestions you've provided, especially the idea of starting small and making incremental changes towards sustainability.
I think it's important for all businesses to consider their impact on the environment and take steps towards sustainability. Your suggestions of using reusable items, finding packaging products printed with sustainable inks, and sharing your sustainable practices with customers are all great ways to make a difference.
Thank you again for sharing your insights and inspiring others to make sustainable choices in their business practices.
Best,
Emporium Homes
SusanTroyDesign
·3 years agoI have not done a lot of shipping until fairly recently and I reuse shipping materials that come to our home. This is working well so far. I make ceramics that are fragile, so I have to pack them tightly. I am finding that brown paper works well though I would love to find materials that can replace bubble wrap. I'll be working on this going forward, especially if sales pick up in the way that they have in the last few weeks. Cheers. Susan
MollyMaeSews
·3 years agoI strive to use only reused packaging to keep in line with my company mission to reduce and reuse as much as possible. My neighbors all save their packaging for me. Also, the mail carrier that comes to my place is super sweet and will come to my door if I leave a note in my mailbox or if I schedule a free pickup on the usps website.
johanicecreations
·3 years agoThank you for sharing! I have been wanting to switch over to more sustainable and eco-friendly packaging for a while now. I finally got through my cellophane bags and am switching over to glassine bags. Also, whenever possible, I use my scrap sticker paper as labels for freebie envelopes or to label anything else within my business.
ArtShopUniqueGifts
·3 years agoMost of my artworks are recycled/ repurposed/ upcycled. I love ‘junk art’ i.e. to create art from everything and anything. In other words to turn 'trash to treasure'. I craft my items from my own homemade paper mache clay/pulp (bowls or pendant necklaces) recycling all sorts of wastepaper. On the other hand, by up-cycling/repurposing I turn found objects like glass or plastic bottles, old vinyl records and CDs into vases, clocks, ornaments or wind chimes.
As an eco friendly shop dedicated to making art recycling/ repurposing I always do my best to package products by reusing boxes & packaging materials whenever possible. For example, I cut bigger cardboard boxes (I got in the mail) into smaller pieces (easier to storage) and then adapt and reuse them for packaging.
OnlyTeeTrendz
·3 years agoThanks for share . So usefull
Biterswit
·3 years agoHello Anne!
Thank you for sharing your sustainable tips We also are very involved in using sustainable packages in our shipping, we use all paper envelopes, and reused protection paper we've received from our providers when we have to send delicate items like inks. We stamp all our shipments ourselves with our sustainable package stamps this way we don't need to buy preprinted envelopes and we can customize any box we have or we want to reuse. We have a large collection of package stamps designed by us for shipping sent with reused materials, compostable materials, and all-paper envelopes. You can find all our stamps in our shop https://www.etsy.com/shop/Biterswit
Hugs from Barcelona!
Carlota and Norma
DutchNailDesign
·3 years agoFirst of all, I wan to say that I love this topic and raise awareness on how we can contribute to sustainability.
I don't have many sales yet, but I'll always go to the postal office by foot, doesn't what type of weather it is. It's not much, but all the small things help.
ShriyeeGemsandJewels
·3 years agoHi, thank you for your advice. My shop offers handmade products made of natural gemstones.
https://www.etsy.com/in-en/shop/ShriyeeGemsandJewels?ref=seller-platform-mcnav
Irasshai
·3 years agoHi, thank you for your advice. My shop offers handmade products made of natural materials. That's important to refrain our carbon rate.
Best regards
OpeJeroy
·3 years agoI am planning to modify my bags to use biodegradable bags, but I am worried that they will be damaged during shipping and I am thinking about it.
PartumApothecary
·3 years agoOur product packaging (and shipping) is 100% plastic-free, down to the label. Products come in reusable/recyclable glass jars with metal lids, compostable pouches, and reusable/compostable sachets. Glass is infinitely recyclable, whereas plastic can only be recycled twice. To ship orders, we use 100% recycled and recyclable cardboard boxes, paper tape, eco-wrap, and recycled kraft paper.
LangMaiDecor
·3 years agoVery talented craft hand and thank you for the good advice about packing. Wish you a good day and your shop more success.
Allwoodies
·3 years agoThankiu so much for such a great tips...
EagleSkyLine
·3 years agogood and nice
NiBaGastgeschenke
·3 years agoI'm here for a sustainable world and a clean future. In packaging, I try to use existing old paper and cardboard, not plastic materials that will cause new pollution to the world. I prepare my products not in the factory, but in my small workshop at home with my hand one by one
DucisDesigns
·3 years agoBeing new to Etsy, I am still finding my way around best practice for my shop and customers needs, but do want to mindful of the ecological impact my shop has and the products I sell. I ship all my prints in glassine envelopes and recyclable cardboard envelopes and the paper I use comes from a Mill that is local and has great credentials on environmental impact and sustainability. I want all my advertising, labels and packaging to be sustainable and eco in the future so there is as little waste as possible.
BestzHUB
·3 years agoThank you for the info !
KitTasticCrafts
·3 years agoI use reused packaging for shipping! I use foam fruit covers for packaging. I also use foam packaging that comes with other packages. I also use reused packaging for the main packaging.
SusanTroyDesign
·3 years agoI do the same thing. I was about to buy some shredded paper for packing when an order from ULINE came to the door with three months worth of peanuts. I finally used them up last week.
Craftosuit
·3 years agoThat's Great
AtelierdeNaz
·3 years agoHi I am Naz.I am artist and Interior designer.My shop' s name is atelierdenaz.Could you critisize my shop pls?
http://www.etsy.com/shop/atelierdenaz
MarbleSinkCo
·3 years agomagazan harika görünüyor , tebrikler.
FoxFire9DigitatArt
·3 years agoThank you for the great tips and resources! I will explore some of those ideas .
irmaKdesigns
·3 years ago@NuriartDeko I'm sure people who buy your beautiful natural artwork understand the value of recycling. If anyone complained about my recycled packaging, I'd suggest they shop somewhere else.
I had someone buy my mosaic mirror, and when I messaged her to point out that everything in it is recycled and therefore not perfect, she cancelled her order. Three days later someone else bought it because it was not perfect. The previous buyer was not my target market who didn't read the description and I'm glad she cancelled, because someone else who appreciates eco-friendly art got to have it.
BEBOBIDE
·3 years agolooik
SusanTroyDesign
·3 years agoThat happened to me as well. You have to trust your target audience to find you and like your work. It does happen.
STgiftshopStudio
·3 years agoI appreciate your behavior.
NuriartDeko
·3 years agoI ship all my items with recycled boxes that I turn inside out so the writing doesn't show, my friends provide me with old boxes and lots of newsprint, it doesn't look very elegant but I'm sure my customers understand the value of recycling.
LeGrenierdEsmeralda
·3 years agoI use cardboard boxes that I get free at my day job. I have switched to eco-friendly packing tape. I sell vintage and am given other peoples left over craft supplies. My next planned step is to integrate glassine bags and / or use vintage cotton cloth and plaited threads to wrap products rather than use wrapping paper.
ThoughStore
·3 years agoYour shop is really diverse and looks really interesting.
AutumnHollowStudio
·3 years agoLast year I switched to 100% recyclable / eco-friendly / biodegradable packaging. I use kraft jewelry boxes that are made from 100% recycled materials, and the fiber inserts are recyclable. My padded mailers are also made from 100% recycled materials and are also biodegradable. I print my own box labels (for the kraft jewelry boxes) using recycled Kraft round labels from Avery.
If I need to ship a big order that requires a box, I used a repurposed box from something I received in the mail. I save some of those boxes if they are the right size.
irmaKdesigns
·3 years ago@BelgianPaperworks your shop is absolutely beautiful! I did handmade cards in my younger years and used every scrap of paper, so I do appreciate your work for many reasons.
I do glass work now and can't believe how much stained glass scrap gets dumped, and that's just locally. Someone was throwing out an antique stained glass door loaded with beautiful glass. It took me a week to disassemble it and wash all the gunk out. I was so tired and happy:)
Then a friend started to bring me her antique plates that got broken in her antique shop. So now a lot of local unwanted china is going into my mosaics as well. I can't wait to see what other local crap will choose me:)
BelgianPaperworks
OP3 years agoIrma, what beautiful things you are making with reused glass. Fabulous!
FishMadeofJelly
·3 years agoThank you for the great tips and resources! I will explore some of those ideas ☺️
I sell stickers and originally wanted cellophane bags, but as I read more, I decided to move away from them and use glassine bags. I am still looking for additional water-proofing ideas and would welcome any thoughts.
Also, for general marketing/branding stickers, such as ‘do not bend’ that I stick on the front, I started using recycled sticker sheet papers