As we work towards environmentally sustainable business world, papers and plastic products are being phased out. Retailers and grocery stores have begun the transition to non-woven, re-useable bags. Many grocery stores even take money off your bill for using non-woven totes. Packaging is important, but not necessarily good for the environment. Many suppliers in the promotional products industry now have eco-alternatives to traditional paper and plastic products.

Paper:
Instead of regular paper products made from new material, try to use post consumer items. Post-consumer paper has been to the end-user, recycled, and then brought back to the paper mill to re-made into paper again. Most people (including myself) usually cannot tell the difference between brand new paper products and post consumer product until they see the recycled symbol or ‘made from post consumer material.’
A lesser known alternative is using paper made out of pre-consumer items. This type of paper is made out of the scraps from the process of making brand new paper. Although this is not considered recycled, if the scraps from the paper making process are not used then they will become waste.  Organizations like the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) are certifying certain pre and post consumer paper products as environmentally sustainable.

Plastic:
When it comes to plastic products, there are a variety of options. One of them is Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) which is a type of polyester used for synthetic fibers and bottles, among other things. Thirty percent of the world’s demand for PET is for bottles. PET is durable, clear, and easily recyclable which is what makes it a good choice for bottles. A new type of “green” plastic is oxo-biodegradable plastic. The materials in the oxo-biodegradables break down into organic compounds when introduced to UV radiation. This allows the plastic to degrade in less time and into natural products that won’t harm the environment.

We work with a variety of vendors who make post consumer packaging, drinkware, and paper products and are more than happy to work with clients looking for eco-friendly alternatives.

By admin

Tags: eco-friendly packaging • Forest Stewardship Council • FSC • oxo-biodegradable plastic • PET • Polyethylene terephthalate • post-consumer products • pre-consumer made paper • Promotional Products