Pack Up the Savings
Published On: 01-07-2012 09:42am
Comments: 0 - Hits: 235
Category: Eco Friendly Business Tips
You made it or found it! You listed it! Somebody bought it! Congrats! Now it’s time to send that handmade or vintage item off to your buyer. Why not save yourself some bucks while reducing the environmental impact of your transactions? Let’s talk boxes & envelopes!
Save everything! Save every box, bag & envelope you get in the mail. These can easily be repurposed or reused to provide you with free, easy to use & environmentally friendly supplies. You can place new shipping labels over the existing one or turn the whole thing inside out.
Reuse everything! Save empty containers when you finish up the contents. My favorite things to reuse are cereal boxes. Simply run your finger or a butter knife under the seams of the box that are sealed, inside out the box, re-tape, stuff and ship! This works with all kinds of packages…crackers, dog biscuits, cookies even toothpaste!
Scrounge everywhere! Every store in town knows that I am always on the hunt & will save boxes & packing materials for me. I even have permission to root around in the bins behind the dollar store! I will ask the folks stocking shelves at the grocery store for boxes they have just emptied. They are usually quite happy to oblige as this means less work for them. My vet’s office, hardware store & that old stand by the liquor store are all great sources. Boxes of all sizes can be broken down flat for storage until you are ready to use them.
When you find yourself having to give in & actually pay for boxes or envelopes, try to buy ones made of recycled materials. Remember that little things can make a big difference when it comes to saving money & saving the earth! All of these techniques not only help keep materials out of landfills by reusing and extending the life of items that might otherwise be discarded, they will save you money as well & who can’t use a few more dollars these days?
