Let's talk about packaging...

[phuzzykins]

Today was trash day in my neighborhood, and my house was the one with a dozen bags on the curb. You see, last week, I received shipments from Marine Depot and other dry goods vendors. You probably know what I'm getting at.

Every time I order dry goods, I get a mountain of non-recyclable packaging that I have to dispose of. The vast majority of it is styrofoam - both rigid foam and packing peanuts. In most municipalities, this material isn't accepted for recycling.

Here are a few things I've noticed vendors in other industries doing:

#1) Using starch peanuts, which I can either dissolve with a quick blast of water in the sink, or stir into my compost heap.

#2) Using strips of air-filled bags. I love these things - one swipe with a utility knife, and they take up almost no space in my trash.

#3) Using folded cardboard packing inserts instead of molded or hot-wired styrofoam blocks. Cardboard is easily recycled, and I'm not complaining at all about the four rubbermaid totes of cardboard I placed outside today.

#4) Nesting hollow items (like the three Lumen Brights I just bought) into a single box. Seriously, each one of those boxes had a full trash bag's worth of peanuts in it, and all three reflectors could have been repacked into just one of the boxes.

What is your company doing to reduce the volume of non-recyclable packing material you use in the shipping process?

Thanks,
-Matt

 

[Harry_Fish]

Actually I'm very pleased with the amount of packaging

I have never had anything from Marine Depot arrive damaged.

As for other companies , I have had too many
things come in broked due to poor packaging.

I'll take the extra packing any day!

 

[Squidward5]

IMO Marine Depot is one of the best for shipping , They ship right away, nothing is never damaged,excellent customer service ,and I am very sad that they quite the livestock end of it, but one thing they should do as phuzzykins mentioned is switch to Using starch peanuts, they do go overboard somtimes with them.

 

[phuzzykins]

I agree with Harry_Fish... the packaging is great in that it thoroughly protects what's being shipped. I'm suggesting that more sustainable materials and methods be used, not just that packaging in general be reduced.

FWIW, I work for a company that used to ship disk drives 5 to a box, with an open-cell foam insert. Customers often got a full dumpster's worth of disposable packing material when they ordered from us. Finally, we designed reusable, pallet-oriented packaging for these customers, and shipping damage hasn't increased at all. They now receive up to 500 drive modules in a single shipping container which can then be sent directly back to us for reuse.

 

[Squidward5]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14169157#post14169157 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by phuzzykins
I agree with Harry_Fish... the packaging is great in that it thoroughly protects what's being shipped. I'm suggesting that more sustainable materials and methods be used, not just that packaging in general be reduced.

FWIW, I work for a company that used to ship disk drives 5 to a box, with an open-cell foam insert. Customers often got a full dumpster's worth of disposable packing material when they ordered from us. Finally, we designed reusable, pallet-oriented packaging for these customers, and shipping damage hasn't increased at all. They now receive up to 500 drive modules in a single shipping container which can then be sent directly back to us for reuse.

OK

 

[Ncastro1981]

I agree with the point your making. No need for all the waste.!! It can be done for the same money or less, and work just as well with more sustainable resources

 

[MarineDepot]

Hi Everyone

Thank you all for your responses. Feedback we receive from customers like you is always greatly appreciated and taken into account.

We have been using the biodegradable peanuts for a while now, but have come to find out that the biodegradable peanut does not stand up very well to moisture and tends to shift during shipping, the end result being that the customer receives a damaged product. The new peanut we have is still environmentally friendly, being made from completely recycled material, but it is stronger and doesn't shift as much as the biodegradable peanut and can be re-used or recycled.

We're always looking for better ways to make sure that your purchases arrive in excellent condition without endangering the environment.


Best Regards,

Walter

Marine Depot Customer Services

 

[phuzzykins]

Thanks, Walter.

I got another Marine Depot shipment today, and was happy to find that most of the empty space in the box was taken up by air bags - so I guess you're already using them in some cases.

I'm also pleased to hear that your peanuts are recycled - it's just a shame that here in MA, they're not accepted by our recycling centers.

 

[A.T.T.R]

if you do alot of orders ust save the peanuts . you can usualy sell them to a local company that ships for a few bucks

 

[JasonD]

put the peanuts in a large garbage bag and take them to mail box ect. They will reuse them when they ship stuff out. You help a local business and the environment at the same time.

:bum:

Jason

 

[600k4]

great ideas a.t.t.r. and jasonD

 

[600k4]

I work for a large corporation, they do not recycle at all! it drives me nuts, I have asked management about it and they dance around the question. It costs more to recycle so they don't do it, so I bring any recyclables I use back to my house so I can recycle them...