I like Recycling, but...

[Former_Member]

This is by far the most extensive recycling I've ever experienced. I ordered something from a seller not on Etsy. I received it today in the strangest packaging ever. Here's the photos:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/87087777@N06/

Seriously... she turned a popsicle box inside out, used Styrofoam meat packaging material, and probably recycled peanuts and bubble wrap. All that for a small teacup about 1.5" in diameter.

So if you need some ideas on how to save on shipping materials.. well this lady's got it for you!

[SweetSomeday]

I personally think that's awesome! I like to re-use packaging too - I probably wouldn't use the styrofoam meat tray (seems unsanitary?) but everything else seems great. I've never had a complaint about my recycled packaging (however, I do give buyers a heads-up in my policies and shipping notification).

[SealandStringStudio]

I've bought materials from a vedor who ships ONLY in bubble wrap. Like 10 layers of bubble all taped together with a UPS label on it.

I also ordered a bag of packing peanuts on Ebay. I literally got a clear bag full of packing peanuts with a USPS label on it.

Yours takes the cake, though. Or is that the popsicle? I'd draw the line at re-using meat/vegetable trays.

[Former_Member]

haha! Wow. That's kind of cool, But I'd maybe be a little worried about recycling a styrofoam meat plate!!

[KCbytheNYC]

Reduce, reuse, recycle! I'm all for it!

[MichellesVarietyShop]

I don't use the meat trays(agree with Sarah, seems unsanitary), but I reuse every box I can. The Post Office always jokes they know what we've been eating at my house by the boxes I ship out.

[TheSmileEmporium]

As long she states she uses recycled packaging I dont see the problem.
I have it written into my shop announcement and shipping notification that I use clean recycled packaging where able.
It keeps costs down for both myself and the customer, is better for the planet and from feedback Ive had in emails from cutomers they really like it.
Come on give it a go -be creative.My favorite is using a video case as the box and wrapping that in brown paper.

[VintageCarolina]

That's great! I always re-use boxes, I turn them inside out, too. Over 700 sales and I've never purchased any packing materials except large envelopes and I do use a lot of those. Sometimes I add a note like, "sorry, I already ate the cookies!"

[Former_Member]

Jennifer - I didn't know you could do that with the bubble wrap! I reuse as much as possible because it keeps my costs down and I can pass that on to buyers. I save all my boxes and packing material that I receive. I do have to buy new ones occassionally if an order is an odd size.

I'm by no means saying recycling is bad, I'm just saying... did you see that piece of work!? That was the most extensive thing I've ever seen. I feel like I should have paid more just for the time spent on that!

Edit: spell check!

[eaststreettins]

I always use recycled packing materials and put it right in my item's description. However, now I have a new hero in reuse. Thanks for sharing.

[ComfortAndGrins]

That was a well packaged package :)

[Former_Member]

That's hilarious! That's too much recycling even for me, and my shop uses recycled packaging. I do state that in my listings though, and I display a photo of the recycled packaging I will be using and offer to replace with new packaging per request. So far no one has requested me to use new packaging.

[SealandStringStudio]

Having kids in school, I guess I just am really aware of food allergies anymore. Some people want NO contact with anything that was ever near a peanut, kwim? For that reason, I'd never re-use any food packaging, even if the food had been in an inner wrapper. I figure it's just safer to toss that stuff in the recycle bin. Luckily, our township has weekly recycling pickup, and we recycle just about everything.

[Former_Member]

My niece is a vegan, if I sent her something in repurposed meat trays, I'm afraid she'd fall over & faint. Isn't that stuff really porous? I thought that was the reason a few years ago they told everyone to throw it out ASAP when home from the grocery store.

[Former_Member]

In Australia, those 'meat trays' are often used for selling vegetables, & not meat. Our meat trays tend to be plastic, not styrene - so could well have been NOT been from meat. I've also seen deli things like fresh pasta, nuts etc sold on those types of trays. Go recycled:)

Should definitely be listed though, some people may be buying as a gift, & want to send straight to the giftee. May be a tiny bit strange to receive a gift package like that:)

[Former_Member]

I'm really fortunate to live near a styrofoam recycling place - that's what I would do with a styrofoam meat tray because of foodborne illness concerns. I wash and reuse plastic bags, but not the ones I had raw meat in.

I admire the seller's dedication to reuse and thrift!

[Former_Member]

FYI - I think it was an unused meat tray. It looked pretty clean. I still have it, let me check real quick...

Ok so it does NOT smell like meat. I can't see any type of marks or anything on it that looks like it's used. She must get them somewhere unused.

[CreationsByCarrieD]

Meat isn't the only thing I've seen those trays used for. There is a baker at one of our local farmer's markets who uses them for large creme filled cake rolls, whoopie pies, sweet rolls, etc... so the tray may not have ever had meat of any kind on it....I hope. If I were to use one for packaging I would have written something like "Not a meat tray....ever" Lol because that is really unsafe and I wouldn't want someone thinking I am that careless.

[Former_Member]

I'd like to also add that I got it from someone on Ebay, where I order a lot of things. I don't mind recycled materials, but you all mentioned a lot about letting the buyer know, especially if it's from a food product.

I think that's a good point and I think most Etsy sellers would think of doing this more than Ebay sellers. Almost every package I've received from Ebay has been a little on the sloppy side. Not in terms of recycled packaging, but in terms of "What the heck happened to this before it got to me?" This package in the pictures was pretty smashed up when I got it. So.. another type of box probably would have been better to use.

[Former_Member]

Yea, that is great, I am trying to find a cute packaging idea...Haven't thought of anything yet!