I try to reuse them when mailing out freebies, but the foamy and plasticky packaging materials just keep piling up in my tiny apartment. Apparently, I pack things up more efficiently than the people who send samples and other stuff for the blog to me — leading to a constant packaging surplus.
My latest strategy: To reuse just the bubble wrap for packaging, saving the peanuts to drop off at UPS for reuse. My local UPS office employees are always very friendly, taking off my hands not just the peanuts but also unused UPS bubble envelopes — I amass those from cheap, uneco PR reps who use them in lieu of bubble wrap.
To the right’s the latest collection of peanuts I gave UPS. The purpose of this post is threefold:
1. To remind everyone that packing peanuts can easily be dropped off at your nearest UPS, FedEx, and most independent packing / shipping stores for reuse.
2. To encourage marketers and PR reps to stop — or at least reduce — the plastic and foam packaging in their product sample packaging, especially when seeking positive press from environmental writers. Fake Plastic Fish writes long, beseeching letters to companies that overpackage. I don’t have that kind of energy — but maybe I’ll just start tweeting them a link to this post.
3. To let readers who get plastic-wrapped freebie packages from me know that no, I didn’t buy that stuff — It’s all reused!!
FYI: The Plastic Loose Fill Council has a web site people can check to find out where to drop off packing peanuts: http://www.loosefillpackaging.com/.
Tweeting companies is a great idea. I hadn’t thought of using Twitter that way.
Beth
Beth Terry, aka Fake Plastic Fish’s last blog post..Year 2, Week 43 Results: .05 oz of plastic waste… Again!
Comment by Beth Terry, aka Fake Plastic Fish — April 14, 2009 @ 1:06 am
Just as an FYI, the FedEx stores near me (DC) wouldn’t take the peanuts. There was one UPS store that would but it was a bit of a hike. I found someone on craigslist or freecycle (don’t remember which) who wanted them and haven’t received any more.
Comment by Erica — April 14, 2009 @ 8:49 am
When ordering items, I ask if they can be packed in popcorn instead of peanuts. Most people think that I am crazy, but I got two items with real popcorn that makes great bird food and compost!
Robert Stockham’s last blog post..Great Food, Great Times, Great Lakes
Comment by Robert Stockham — April 14, 2009 @ 9:26 am
Our company actually uses biodegradable packing peanuts (made from cornstarch) so our customers can literally wash them down the drain with no toxic worries! They’re a little more expensive but it’s definitely worth it!
SoCal Cleanse’s last blog post..Top 10 Plants For Cleaning Toxins From The Air
Comment by SoCal Cleanse — April 14, 2009 @ 10:22 am
I agree with Robert, everyone should be using corn starch peanuts, you can find them here:
http://www.uline.com/Product/ProductDetail.aspx?model=S-1564
Comment by Steven — April 15, 2009 @ 11:07 am