Discuss the fun task of marketing a t-shirt shop. Where to advertise, link building, word of mouth, press releases, search engine marketing, keyword advertising, magazines, etc.
I'm looking for suggestions on eco-friendly ways to pack shirts for shipment. Criteria I'm looking to meet include:
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Minimal use of material -- I would like to avoid having an outer package and innner package, packing material, etc.
Ideally, reusable. Something that the consumer could (and would) use for another purpose. I'm looking for something beyond using it to mail another package.
Recyclable. Even reusable stuff has some end to its life cycle, so it should also be recyclable.
Distinctive.
Practical.
"Seems" eco-friendly. I'm not even sure exactly what this means, but the packaging will be part of my marketing, which centers on being environmentally friendly. The package should fit in with that image.
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I'm primarily looking for something that would be suitable for shipping 1 or 2 shirts.
Right now, my top candidate is cardboard tubes, perhaps stamped with a web address with ideas for reuse. But I'm afraid there will be problems with practicality.
Right now, my top candidate is cardboard tubes, perhaps stamped with a web address with ideas for reuse. But I'm afraid there will be problems with practicality.
This is just my personal opinion, but tubes suck. Whenever I receive something packed in a tube, it's inevitably banged up. I think postal employees use them as impromptu baseball bats or something.
Plus, even with cardboard tubes you're usually dealing with plastic end caps, which aren't that eco friendly. There's also the issue of plastic tape to keep it closed.
I think I'd also really need those ideas on how to re-use them; I don't find tubes very useful
I've been giving it some thought, but I can't really come up with anything. Paper doesn't necessarily beat plastic, and it's going to be a lot more labour intensive (and less scalable in general).
I suspect the answer lies in technology, but that always fails the "seems eco-friendly" test since consumers automatically assume anything "artificial" is bad (as if sheets of paper grow on trees ready formed).
I think I'd also really need those ideas on how to re-use them; I don't find tubes very useful
Well, I suppose they could be used to store granola.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Solmu
I've been giving it some thought, but I can't really come up with anything. Paper doesn't necessarily beat plastic, and it's going to be a lot more labour intensive (and less scalable in general).
I suspect the answer lies in technology, but that always fails the "seems eco-friendly" test since consumers automatically assume anything "artificial" is bad (as if sheets of paper grow on trees ready formed).
I think you are correct. Here's how Seeds of Change, an organic seed company, is dealing with this exact problem. In practical terms, it's a good solution. But if it requires such a lengthy explanation, it's not great as far as marketing goes.
Thanks to Jasonda for the link. Lots of interesting products, particularly packing material. But no good packaging solutions.
I've been wondering about this exact same problem for MONTHS, and I haven't come up with anything practical!! Recycled paper envelopes are SO expensive compared to plastic, and I hate paying 10x more just to feel better about it. So I'm still searching for a solution - not necessarily the "perfect" solution, but just any solution! Let us know if you come across something you like!
__________________ MotherTongues wear words - celebrate cultures
Hi,
Did you notice that the USPS tyvek envelopes EP-14, state they are recyclable and meet the 'cradle to cradle certification'
The cardboard type priority mail envelope is made from recycled paper and also has that same 'cradle to cradle certification' So I would feel good knowing I am using these.
My searching has been for a type of product packaging that is pretty and protective. I have been trying to avoid using the poly bags, but I have finally given in and ordered them. But now that I think about it, If I ship my tees in the tyvek envelopes, they seem pretty water resistant, weather wise. So maybe i won't need to use the poly bags. BUT the poly bags seem to keep the shirts nice and folded. I decided to put my tees into some sort of pretty packaging that would be reused. I narrowed it down to jute bags, cotton bags or organza bags. I just had to return a HUGE box of jute bags as my friend informed me they smelled?! personally, I like the smell but it did not go away after airing them all out. (it just smells like a feed bag, sortof like a leather saddle) oh well. I eliminated the cotton tote bags because personally, I never re use those. I must be the only person that buys lotsa groceries and those bags never hold enough. I am now using organza pouches...pretty colors so I hope my customers (female) will resue them and regift items using the pouches. I use mine to store makeup in my purse and in the bathroom.
REUSE if you cannot recycle. I am using all recycled paper for my hang tags and tying them with hemp yarn. All of my customer invoices are also printed on the 30% post consumer waste recycled paper.
That about wraps up my attempt to be green and friendly to our Earth.
Dianne
I am also looking for eco-friendly shipping options, hang-tags and stickers. I received a pair of Teva's packed with a bag and hangar made from biodegradable polylactide polymer.
That's what I thought until I read the entire article I mentioned above:
"NatureWorks, acknowledging some of those criticisms, points out that the corn it uses is low-grade animal feed not intended for human use. And it processes a small amount of non-genetically engineered corn for customers who request it."
My problem with it [polylactide polymer] is that most people won't have access to a commercial composting plant. And if it doesn't compost in a home-plant, than people won't do anything with it other than throw it away in the landfill.
That's what I thought until I read the entire article I mentioned above:
"NatureWorks, acknowledging some of those criticisms, points out that the corn it uses is low-grade animal feed not intended for human use. And it processes a small amount of non-genetically engineered corn for customers who request it."
It still has the same affect. It's not like brand new farms are popping up to grow this corn. Very often, farmers who had been growing "sweet corn" switch to growing "field corn" because, due to increased demand, it is more profitable overall. This leads to reduced supply of sweet corn, and thus higher prices for food.
Eco-Friendly Packaging 
