The ultimate packaging solution - what is it?

One last post before i give it a rest...so thanks for reading & have a MERRY CHRISTMAS x See you in 2011 to talk more about rubbish (preferably biodegradable rubbish :)

I am just reading up on all the packaging types & thinking "what is the ultimate packaging solution?". (please remember whilst i am passionate about this...i don't know all the details/facts)...and i wanted to take a look at the options of packaging.

The way i see it things fall in to on of these categories:

• no packaging
• recyclable packaging
• non-recyclable packaging
• biodegradable packaging
• reusable packaging
  
• truly reusable packaging
• recyclable & biodegradable packaging
  

So what is the best thing for our beautiful Planet?...Let's take a closer look at each option.

no packaging - this has to be good - so long as having no packaging doesn't cause damage to a product resulting in so much waste that this is more harmful than having it packed well?

recylable packaging - there is debate / concern as to how much of our recyclables actually get recycled. Generous quotes put it at around 30%...but apparently recycling over & over will eventually give a product that can not be recycled anymore. In this category there are also different toxicity & efficiency factors. Some plastics are more effectively recycled than others.

non-recyclable packaging - this is pretty much destined direct to landfill to sit around for the next 25 000 years leaching toxic chemicals in to our soil & water. (ok i am getting worked up about this one:)

biodegradable packaging - there are different types of this & obviously the best type is safe & natural that goes back to the soil. There is the microbe that is added to standard plastic (i am not sure about this one yet. There are some issues with plant based plastics like PLA from corn. Some criticisms say that we can not produce enough corn sustainably to do this...but i don't think we are anywhere near utilizing PLA this enough to be a concern. There is also the option to use by-products from plants grown for food or other purposes to make the plastic. This addresses at least in part, the "growing enough corn" concern The other concern is composting this - it needs to be in the right conditions to break down. I am still a fan of PLA - at least it has a chance to break down and be safe.

reusable packaging this has always baffled me "it's ok to take a plastic bag - i need them - i re-use them" I think this type reusing can be a token gesture - because it is not really "saving" any packaging in many instances. For example - i reuse a bread bag for a mini rubbish bag... Would i not be better to buy bread in no packaging and use no bin bag or an eco friendly bin bag? Like your thoughts on this one. ...anyway if it is really saving something heading for landfill i am all for it

truly reusable packaging not sure how much of this exists these days...like the glass bottles of yesteryear :) So no energy is lost & these things dont head for landfill. A lot of shipping wrap/pack is getting re-used today..but sooner or later where does it end up?

recyclable & biodegradable packaging this sounds awesome...recycle it where possible it may finally end in that dirty place l**df*ll it sweetly biodegrades. Have to find out more about this.

So there it is - an unofficial view of packaging how i (as a currently non expert) see it.

There are soooo many options & that is why i am excited. The way i see it...there are loads of planet based packaging options that can be implemented before these become unsustainable.

But i guess the BEST packaging is NO packaging - or if it exists, packaging that causes less packaging (like packaging that consumers itself and other packaging in landfill?) because with a growing global population...our only choice is to reduce waste.

our first SUCCESSSSSS...aka Nature's Child offers an eco friendly wrap option

hi there...i am feeling extra positive today...so i am only talking about GOOD things...YAY...

Like getting a take out coffee in a BioCup...from a cafe that cares like The Green Garage in Byron Bay & Suffolk Park - NSW, Australia.

Samudra in Dunsborough, WA, Australia...

These are great if you are not one of those perfect humans who remembers their keep cup everyday...& for people who just would otherwise get a less eco friendly option...These delightfully eco things are available from BioPak...so if your cafe/caffeine outlet isnt using something good for our Planet...let them know you care & that these cups exist.

I am also delighted with an email back from Jannine @ Nature's Child. This company is very aware of the waste created & have had demand from customers for cheaper post packaging...and in this case cheap does not = eco.

As of February 2011 they will be offering their large number of online customers and ECO SHIP/WRAP option.

This will not only save plastic & other harmful waste...but also give an insight in to what people think & what people will pay for to save our PLANET...

I look fw to hearing how it goes. Thanks Nature's Child !

the mission continues....

Not one to wait...i have moved on to some other companies to see if i can get some ECO action! I have not seen responses through from Boost Juice, Sushi Train or heard back from Coles - round 2 re biodegradable meat trays.

I figured the most fun & positive way to do this is to contact all the companies...then inspire them to change & let them know about eco packaging alternatives...then i will just make a list of those who care / respond & those who don't respond...

We can revisit these companies when there are a few thousand Facebook fans to get some more motivation & inspiration behind our requests & questions. So get your friends to JOIN US on Facebook....

I know this is all rubbish...but i am certain we will make a massive positive impact to the Planet as we grow this blog & following...& the best thing is that people with a few clicks of their mouse can speak out over & over again to companies to make the changes to the most sustainable, Planet friendly packaging.

Last night over dinner i couldn't help but notice the packaging of the healthy flat bread Mountain Bread ... i didn't see a recycled option or any other type of packaging material info (perhaps i missed it)...so i dropped them an email to see where they are at here.

Let's see what eco-ness this company and product has going on. I will hope for good news!...

Happy weekend & look out for more great packaging to feature...as well as any products that need an eco overhaul & i will get right on to it. x

hmmm ....shall we save 5c or the Planet?

Thanks for joining me on the journey towards a planet with less waste! We have some takers looking at providing eco friendly options for packaging....O-Sushi restaurants in Byron Bay & the Gold Coast, Australia...we have also some insight into eco shipping for online stores.

The good news is that today many of the eco alternatives are very price competitive...for example - maybe 5c difference on a biodegradable meat tray...sushi container...

Nature's Child a leading online baby store, told me that they had gone back to the less eco packaging because the eco packs were too expensive. I suggested that customers are offered an eco wrap option (reflecting only the price..maybe 50c or whatever - not so they can profit on it)...and see how that goes? Stay tuned - because if they do it it will be both interesting & a great example to other online stores. GO Nature's Child!

That way online shopping that delivers with Australia Post & doesn't send out a courier to you especially...would surely have to be an eco way to shop?

Boost Juice have & Sushi Train have been our only NO SHOWS -with no response to my emails and Facebook posts...

So far i am finding Facebook the way to go - a one stop shop to catch up with friends & save the Planet. Even companies that didn't respond to a few emails were quick to respond on Facebook.

The gruesome world of landfill....30% of it is PACKAGING!

With the distinct lack of awareness surrounding ECO packaging that i have experienced in my short unpaid career of contacting companies...i had to think for a moment...am i missing something here...is this really a big problem?

Well the answer is YES - 1/3 of our landfills are filled with PACKAGING. And considering there is a sustainable, biodegradable option for ALMOST EVERY TYPE OF PRODUCT - i can only conclude that we as consumers are not demanding the changes...or aware of the problem enough to demand eco friendly packaging.

So if we continue like this...creating more rubbish & creating more people to create more rubbish - we are going to have a Planet full of buried rubbish. Even though a lot of packaging is RECYCLABLE...it is still ending up in landfill.

• food packaging
• shampoo containers
• disposable razors
• cleaning product containers

& so on & so on...

I had intended just to campaign companies to make the changes....no i really see it is about awareness....we need to be aware of the problem & aware that there are SOLUTIONS.

Well that makes my mission with this BLOG somewhat larger...because personally i thought it was obvious that things need to be minimally packaged with regard to the waste being created.

The fun part of the day is seeing that companies respond about 10 x faster when i post on their Facebook page to when i politely email or telephone them.

O-Sushi restaurants in Byron Bay & Coolangatta today told me they are open to looking at biodegradable take out containers. We also have a response from Nature's Child who ship in recycled materials where possible, but gone back to non-eco option of padded bags due to $...i suggested they add an eco wrap option.

This will save me some time & this is the power of social media...companies listen - so if you and your friends aren't already fans of the ECO Friendly Packaging group please JOIN!

Beautiful people on a beautiful Planet...ECO packaging in the Beauty Industry

It's a happy day today with some responses back from companies...and the good news is Adore Beauty - one of Australia's largest online beauty retailers has replied to a Facebook post.

"Hi Luci. Good question! At Adore Beauty we print on recycled paper, and pack your orders using compostable package filler and bio-degradable bubble wrap. Where possible we re-use packaging that our suppliers send to us, and we encourage you to re-use or recycle any packaging material sent to you. I hope this helps! Celeste x"

Great! Biodegradable bubble wrap - i didnt know we could get this & i just found in available in Australia from ECO Office.

It's been a great day out & about for someone like me who gets excited about recycled, biodegradable & compostable packaging. I have also come across Sanctum Skincare packs in biodegradable plastic packs with a recycled card box. Check them out on Sanctum's website - there is not a lot of detail about the type of plastic being used - but it is sure to be better than most skincare packaging AND perhaps they are moving the entire range to this packaging?

I was also curious to find an Ollo Olive Oil refill in the supermarket. This little package is twice as big as it looks. I have just visited the Ollo website for the lowdown on how eco this refill is...the claim is that it creates less emissions in manufacturing & also takes up less room in land fill.

This just shows me it is such a complex picture to look at - so many things to consider. So it is time to get some figures & get an idea just how important ECO Friendly Packaging is when we compare it to other impacts a company is having on the Planet.

For example - what is the most important - the contents of the packet - how they are made, where they are made OR the packaging. I am guessing they are all pretty important.

is no news good news... when it comes to ECO packaging?

hi - it's the end of another week here on Planet Earth so here's what i have been up to today:

Firstly something positive - especially if you like frozen yogurt...Twisted Frozen Yoghurt use a plant based eco friendly cup for their take outs, spoons, straws etc.

I have contacted Coles to check whether they use Modified Atmosphere Packaging on their meat (conventional & organic)...as well as commended their decision to sell only hormone free meat. If they don't, then they will consider a change to the ECO friendly PLA (plant based plastic) option.

I have emailed Nature's Child & Adore Beauty because it's the end of week 2 now and no reply or definitive answer. I am not known for my patience...but i think 10 days is long enough. I am asking what packaging they ship in and if they don't currently use an ECO option, why not and what would inspire them to swap to an eco option?

This is the most interesting part, because I figure we need to understand what, if anything, companies are thinking when it comes to selecting packaging. It is quite possible that they are not aware of all the excellent biodegradable & compostable options out there.

Is it just me...or does anyone else agree that if there is an eco friendly packaging option - then a company should use it? ... or at the very least make some eco friendly changes whilst they head towards total eco-ness?

Here is a picture of a great packaging fill product made from CORN..Corn Starch. This packaging product replaces foam. I ate a piece - but i don't recommend this - just re-use it or let it biodegrade by natural means :)

Next week i will continue to follow up on Boost Juice, O-Sushi, Sushi Train & anyone else you suggest. To be honest i am surprised at how many companies have not responded - i thought they would have all at least answered the emails. Luckily i am not adverse to a chat on the telephone....let's see how that goes.

We have made contact! (at least with one company) Coles - biodegradable meat trays?

Well the journey has begun. I spoke with Coles Supermarkets today regarding biodegradable or at least more eco friendly meat trays to package meat in. Coles recently announced that all of their meat would be hormone free - so what better initiative to take than to pack this in a responsible manner also.
As you may figure - it is not always that clear. Coles major concern is shelf life. They said in our conversation today that they would definitely look at an eco friendly alternative if they could get a similar shelf life as they currently do with their non-biodegradable choice currently being used.
For more information i spoke to Sean at Going Green Solutions, who put me ion contact with the friendly crew at BioPak (links below to these companies).
The big issue here is that the eco alternative (PLA - plant based biodegradable plastic) can only be used if meat is not packaged with Modified Atmosphere Packaging a term new to me that essentially seems to means that gases are added to the product and environment during packaging (not just of meat, also salads & bottled water & sure to be more) to maintain color, freshness etc for longer.
I don't believe these chemicals or gases are declared as an ingredient - but i am not sure about this.
So to cut a long story short - if Coles do not use Modified Atmosphere Packaging to prolong shelf lives of their meat, then a ECO friendly option is possible. YAY for the Planet.
So i have a direct email address now & will forward this information to Coles and await their response.
I also followed up to Nature's Child online baby eco store about the type of packaging they use. After not hearing reply to my email after a week, i gave them a call. I didn't get a definitive answer - but i did get the Director's direct email - so will keep you posted on the news here. My goal is to have online stores adopting eco friendly shipping materials and products considering they send out hundreds to thousands of items by post. If cost is prohibitive - what about offering an ECO pack option for 50c more to the customer?
Stay tuned for more updates & follow this blog if you can - every follower is a voice SUPPORTING ECO PACKAGING! Thanks for reading & thanks to the great folk at BioPak and Going Green Solutions for their time and information.

hmmm...yes i am obsessed with rubbish - actually i am obsessed with creating less rubbish. As you would have figured i am on the mission to inspire companies to adopt eco friendly packaging. One by one i am asking the questions & with your support we can change the world !

Here is an update on the companies i have contacted so far - this won't take so long because 3 days later, only 1 has replied...perhaps they are busy, perhaps they will amaze us with their eco friendly packaging policy & measure they have taken. I will follow up in a few days to get the questions to the answers. It is also possible that eco friendly packaging is too expensive? If that is the case, perhaps customers WILL pay more for eco packaging. I for one would at least like the choice!

Understanding what stops companies using eco friendly packaging is part of the way forward,

Coles supermarkets www.coles.com.au - Coles have replied about the suggestion to use biodegradable meat trays with there entire hormone free meat selection: "Your comments have been forwarded to our National Quality Control Team for investigation and we will respond to you as soon as possible."

Nature's Child www.natureschild.com.au - no reply yet about the mailing/packaging products they send out. Hoping they use recycled, biodegradable options.

Sushi Train - no reply yet

O-Sushi - Byron Bay & Coolangatta http://www.osushi.com.au/byron/home - no reply yet to Facebook page post & email/contact form

BOOST juice www.boostjuicebars.com.au -no reply yet

Adore Beauty www.adorebeauty.com.au - no reply yet

Asking the Questions - which companies care about the waste they create?

Today I emailed & wrote to several companies to see what they were doing about packaging and waste that they create as part of their operations. I am excited to hear back from these companies and hope to be pleasantly surprised by their GREEN initiatives. I will keep you updated...here is who i contacted:

ONLINE SHOPPING:

• Adore Beauty -www.adorebeauty.com.au as a large online beauty store, stocking some great brands - i would expect this company to ship with eco friendly packaging - recycled padded bags, biodegradable corn starch etc. I will update when i hear back from them.
  
• Nature's Child - www.natureschild.com.au a large online store with outlet in Byron Bay - selling eco products for mums and bubs. Looking forward to hearing what they pack the many parcels they send each day in.
  

RESTAURANTS/CAFES/TAKE OUT FOODS & DRINKS

• Sushi Train - wondering whether these restaurants use the biodegradable takeout containers available from Going Green Solutions
• BOOST juice www.boostjuicebars.com.au - i asked about their packaging policy & what is ECO about the cups they sell their drinks in
  

SUPERMARKET
COLES - www.coles.com.au meat trays - Coles recently announced they will sell only hormone free meat...i asked their policy on meat packaging - do they use biodegradable trays?

This is just the beginning - i cant wait to see how these companies respond! My goal is to support companies who care & inspire the rest to care & adopt ECO friendly packaging.

Sushi & Strawberries to go...

Strawberry punnets and sushi take out containers are available in 100% biodegradable PLA (plant based - not petroleum based plastic) packaging from Going Green Solutions.
If you would like your sushi. strawberries & other yummy things in these eco friendly packages...just like this blog post & we will send the post to all the big companies who are currently NOT using this packaging.
Perhaps they would cost 10-20c more than the current ones. Should the company cover the costs...would you be prepared to pay extra?
Any restaurants using these - let us know - let's support them.
Would you like your fav sushi store to use these containers?...just comment on this post & we will contact the company for you and let you know their reply.

Shopping online - is it ECO friendly?

Shopping online is so popular and most of us shop online at least sometime. How is this impacting the environment?...what are the "pros & cons" of shopping online?

PROs

• not driving your car around shopping reducing pollution
• re-using secondhand & unwanted goods - less landfill & waste
• you can support great brands and products even if not in your area
  

CONs

• product delivered in bubblewrap and other non eco friendly wrapping
• delivery may be specific, meaning that the product miles are high eg shopping internationally and not locally

How can we make online shopping GREENER?

• You can select goods that are delivered by existing post eg Australia Post & not sent by courier.
• Request that your parcel is packaged in ECO friendly packaging for shipping - recycled, recyclable boxes, post packs and stickers. Even if they can do this, you are creating demand and awareness.
• Ask for eco friendly options- ask about the company's action to be greener.

One great product is a range of recycled mailing products. Check out a selection of wholesale jiffy mailers at Get Packed - an Australian company. Suggest these to your fav online sellers.

This is a subject I would love more input on - these are just a couple of thoughts i have had about the impact of shopping online.

Who, What, Why...& WELCOME !

Welcome to ECO friendly Packaging! This blog is step one on the mission to save the Planet from excess, toxic & what i view as unnecessary waste. With a background in science, conservation, PR & social media - i know that we as the people of the earth can make a MASSIVE positive impact on our beautiful Planet....by speaking up to companies, informing them of eco friendly packaging options & supporting companies who are already creating little or no waste.
Imagine a planet without landfill....with truly biodegradable and non-toxic packaging.
Stay tuned as i profile some great and not so great companies. As we build up a following of this blog & Facebook...we can have some fun speaking our voice & watching & applauding new companies taking on a green packaging approach.
Thanks for reading - be sure to send in your eco packaging thoughts, info & inspirations.