More and more, consumers and businesses alike are starting to care about the impact the products they use will have on the environment. Walk into many local coffee shops and dining establishments and you will find business owners who are genuinely trying to reduce their eco-footprints with recycled and biodegradable packaging. Unfortunately, despite the admirable efforts of these citizens, less than 10% of plastics in Canada are being recycled, of which one-third are for single-use or short-lived packaging and products.
One can raise awareness, start media campaigns and push for businesses to use more eco-friendly products, but there are things each of us can do right at home to keep our planet green. One of the ways we can do this is by looking at the types of packing materials we at www.jimsmoving.com use in making an effort to reduce our personal ecological footprints.
So, if you want to start helping the planet from your own home, read on to learn what types of packing materials are eco-friendly.
- Environmentally Friendly Bubble Wrap
It may come as a surprise, but there are types of bubble wrap made from recycled polythene as well as bubble wrap that is completely biodegradable! You can buy many brands straight from Amazon, with some of them boasting up to 35% recycled material.
- Biodegradable Plastic
A good alternative to your typical plastics, there are three types to consider. Bioplastics – these plastics are made from materials that are natural. For example cornstarch, this allows them to degrade quickly and with the lowest harmful impact on the environment. Eco-plastics are simply recycled plastics, while biodegradable plastics are made from regular petrochemicals but are designed to break down much quicker.
- Cardboard and Paper
These are your classic packing materials. Cardboard and paper are easy to obtain, as well as being recyclable, reusable and biodegradable. There are many cardboard boxes also made with a high percentage of recycled material- a double whammy right there!
- Materials Made From Cornstarch
Great for containers that are used short-term like food and takeaway boxes, items made with cornstarch are 100% biodegradable. These products are made from agriculturally derived starch and replace fossil fuel-based materials, making them a great alternative for single-use packaging products.
- Compostable Packing Peanuts
Made from either cornstarch, wheat, or other nontoxic materials, there are a number of eco-friendly packing peanuts on the market that dissolve in water and are easily compostable. As an added bonus, biodegradable packing peanuts won’t stick to your clothes since they do not have an electrostatic charge!
Whether you’re a business that does a lot of shipping, a family looking to lessen their impact on the environment during a move or just a person who wants a more sustainable way to package the Christmas presents you send this year, there are many eco-friendly options to help make our earth just a little bit greener.