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!