I was wondering what marine depots position on the matter is. As they are a massive distributor of equipment and supplies in the reefing hobby they surely have an impact. I received a small MH bulb in a 10''x15''x12'' box filled with packing peanuts. As i opened it i just kept thinking the enormously over sized box was very unnecessary. All it would have taken was some bubble wrap and a smaller box with maybe some paper stuffing. I wonder how many other orders are placed in overly sized boxes chucked full of excess packing peanuts. It is my understanding that packing peanuts are being phased out due to the fact that they are not recyclable, and therefor not an environmentally friendly product. I have noticed bulkreefsupply.com uses them as well. However these two companies claim to care about the hobby and the preservation of the worlds natural reefs. While packing peanuts may not be a direct threat to the reefs, they are however one more form of pollution and wasted energy which overall impacts the planet as a whole.
Marine Depots impact on the environment
- Thread starter Danzig
- Start date
MarineDepot
Sponsor
Packing Materials and the Environment
Packing Materials and the Environment
Hey, Danzig. Thank you very much for shopping with us and for visiting our forum here on RC.
We agree packing materials directly and indirectly impacts natural coral reefs. We will do our best to address some the concerns you brought up in your post. In case we do not answer everything to your satisfaction, please feel free to follow up.
As far as packaging products goes, a lot of the decisions are data-driven. The box sizes we use are not arbitrarily chosen. What could be deemed an unncessarily large box for the contents was likely selected because the item(s) inside have shipped in smaller packages in the past and were damaged or broken during transit. We keep meticulous records of returns and shipping claims and regularly review this information to watch for trends. This helps us isolate and resolve shipping issues to help ensure everything we send out arrives safe and sound. The cost and waste resulting from the delivery of damaged goods is higher than if we just ship a large box with generous packing material the first time. We always try to look at the bigger picture and make the most ethically and economically sound decisions possible.
One thing we think you'll appreciate is that the packing peanuts we use are reusable, recyclable, biodegradable and made from 100% recycled content. We use air packaging/pillows and recycled paper in many instances in place of or in addition to peanuts. We also recycle used cardboard along with other paper and plastic material at our facility to reduce or footprint as much possible.
It is our sincere hope that once orders are delivered safely, customers do their part as well by reusing or recycling packing materials and light bulbs. :thumbsup:
Packing Materials and the Environment
Hey, Danzig. Thank you very much for shopping with us and for visiting our forum here on RC.
We agree packing materials directly and indirectly impacts natural coral reefs. We will do our best to address some the concerns you brought up in your post. In case we do not answer everything to your satisfaction, please feel free to follow up.
As far as packaging products goes, a lot of the decisions are data-driven. The box sizes we use are not arbitrarily chosen. What could be deemed an unncessarily large box for the contents was likely selected because the item(s) inside have shipped in smaller packages in the past and were damaged or broken during transit. We keep meticulous records of returns and shipping claims and regularly review this information to watch for trends. This helps us isolate and resolve shipping issues to help ensure everything we send out arrives safe and sound. The cost and waste resulting from the delivery of damaged goods is higher than if we just ship a large box with generous packing material the first time. We always try to look at the bigger picture and make the most ethically and economically sound decisions possible.
One thing we think you'll appreciate is that the packing peanuts we use are reusable, recyclable, biodegradable and made from 100% recycled content. We use air packaging/pillows and recycled paper in many instances in place of or in addition to peanuts. We also recycle used cardboard along with other paper and plastic material at our facility to reduce or footprint as much possible.
It is our sincere hope that once orders are delivered safely, customers do their part as well by reusing or recycling packing materials and light bulbs. :thumbsup:
Great response, i definitely feel good about shopping with you guys in the future now thanks for clearing that up!
MarineDepot
Sponsor
You're very welcome!
You're very welcome!
You betcha! Hit us up anytime you have a question. :wave:
We look forward to serving you again soon! :love2:
You're very welcome!
You betcha! Hit us up anytime you have a question. :wave:
We look forward to serving you again soon! :love2:
Da Maui life
New member
I often wonder what the average customer does with the left over materials from purchases, most likely tossed in the rubbish can. All the recycled, biodegradable and reusable
materials will never come full circle with out the end user recycling. You as the end user have just as much responsibility.
If you choose not, your “just one more form of pollution and wasted energy which overall impacts the planet as a whole“.
materials will never come full circle with out the end user recycling. You as the end user have just as much responsibility.
If you choose not, your “just one more form of pollution and wasted energy which overall impacts the planet as a whole“.
MarineDepot
Sponsor
Reuse Reduce Recycle
Reuse Reduce Recycle
We wholeheartedly agree! Do you think it would be helpful if we included a subtle reminder to recycle on the box or packing slip? Perhaps we could do more to make people stop and think before they toss recyclables into the garbage. We were already planning to place reminder on the back cover of our next catalog. Maybe we need to think bigger?
Reuse Reduce Recycle
We wholeheartedly agree! Do you think it would be helpful if we included a subtle reminder to recycle on the box or packing slip? Perhaps we could do more to make people stop and think before they toss recyclables into the garbage. We were already planning to place reminder on the back cover of our next catalog. Maybe we need to think bigger?
Da Maui life
New member
agree!
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