Eco-friendly Packaging

[sweetgrasstradingco]

I participate in outdoor art shows in Wisconsin and Minnesota, and have always chosen to forego giving out shopping bags when a customer buys my artwork. I feel like they are often unnecessary, and besides, many other vendors give out bags and the customer could put the item they just bought from me in one of their other bags. But now I am offering my Earth-felt People,which are sold in a sturdy but pretty gift box,es which are a bit large and a tad awkward for my customers to carry around festival grounds.

So I've been looking around on the Internet to find bags that I can live with. I ordered some 10 oz. cotton reusable shopping bags from Nashville Wraps this morning. I will give these bags free of charge to customers who buy a large item for me, in the hopes that they will use this bag over and over in the future. Each bag will cost me about $3 after all is said and done. If this works well, I will have my company logo and website printed on the bags. The only thing that makes me wonder if I made a good choice is that the bags are made in India and it is hard for me to track how they were made, etc., to assure myself that they were made ethically. (Just because they carry the "Green Way" logo doesn't guarantee that they were made ethically.)

I am curious to know if any of you have researched environment-friendly packaging and use it when you ship your Etsy items, and what you have found out there that you would recommend. I am open to suggestions! Thanks .....

[Former_Member]

Try paper bags, they would cost less and you'll probably have a variety to choose from that are eco-friendly.

[Former_Member]

Maybe look for bags or sacks at an antique store? The antique store in my area has bags from the old Aide's Dept Store from the 60s and I just love reusing those bags. I too am trying to find ecofriendly packaging. I always keep gift bags when I am at parties or celebrating the holidays with folks. It is a given that all gift bags be saved for me. Maybe you could just reuse the giftbags at your show?

[Former_Member]

I'm looking for eco-friendly packaging and packaging materials too. For my pocket mirrors etc....I'm considering hand stamped musling bags or something that my customers can reuse and not toss in the trash.

[Former_Member]

These are all fantastic ideas and discussions.

I have the same issues. I try to reuse any boxes that are shipped to me. But I can't guarantee that the people I send it to will. One thing that is important is to include some sort of label or sticker on your shipping packages that encourages recycling (please recycle this box/bag etc). Or a note encouraging them to keep and treasure the lovely packaging that you spent your time and effort creating. People often just need a little nudge in the right direction.

There are not yet solutions to all problems. But that is what beautiful minds are for. Minds like those people who are part of this group. Thanks to you all.

[Former_Member]

PS I just googled this and these look good. Not really helpful for me. But maybe someone will find it of use.

http://www.molded-pulp.com/trays.html

http://www.globeguardproducts.com/

good luck to you all!

[sweetgrasstradingco]

Good sites, thanks mrsjade!

[Former_Member]

As a new Etsian I am still evolving and I am working on a recyclable way to package my paper pulp bowls for the holidays. I have decided to wrap them in cheesecloth, which can be used by the recipient, and decorate with a recycled magazine bow! Will be posting this soon on my shop.

[Former_Member]

Wow halllinda! That is a really great idea! That sounds like an added perk to buying from your store. I think that knowing I would get free cheese cloth makes me want to buy pieces from you already!

Great idea!!

I also think including a reusable back as packing material is a great idea. You could even screenprint the name of your etsy shop on the bag as advertisement.

Keep these great ideas coming!!

Jade

[DiversusUK]

that is so lovely of you!!!