The sustainability of mailing bags keeps increasing in importance because more and more business transactions are taking place online. The goods sold need to be shipped in good packaging. Environmental sustainability concerning the packaging material used is a significant issue of concern as global warming becomes more of a problem. This is why mailing bags made from recyclable materials are preferable because they can keep getting recycled, keeping the environment clean. If these mailing bags are so good, the next question is whether they are available to buy on the market.
Making Mailing Bags
● Reusing
If you have a small business, you can make your bags by reusing ones you had previously used. You can do this by having a return policy with your clients. If you employ a return policy, your customers will come shopping with the bags you had previously mailed products in if you have a walk-in option. You could also have a provision where customers can send back the mailing bag for you to refurbish and reuse. All mailing bags and materials are reusable, but not all can be recycled, as per the section below.
● Materials Used
Mailing bags are usually made from different materials. The most preferable are made of paper, such as Kraft paper. They are preferable because Kraft paper is biodegradable, and it is strong enough to use over a long period and withstand the impact they experience on the way. This means they can keep whatever you are transporting safe. Also, Kraft paper is recyclable, and you can get some mailing bags from recycled Kraft paper.
The following are some materials used in mailing bags and whether they are recyclable.
i. Plastic Polythene Mailing Bags
Also, you can recycle plastic mailing bags. Plastic mailing bags are not environmentally friendly. Recycling plastic mailing bags is one way to mitigate plastic’s adverse effects on the environment. These plastic polythene mailing bags are usually used for packaging clothes. It is noteworthy that it is impossible to recycle these at home. You have to send them to commercial recycling centers.
ii. Cardboard
Mailing bags made of cardboard are recyclable. You can put them into the recycling bag, and the company will recycle them. All you need to do as the user is remove the adhesive tape on the package. The adhesive tape is not recyclable.
iii. Bubble Wrap
The mailing bag would contain bubble wrap as part of the packaging, especially if you had fragile goods delivered. It is recyclable, and there are some drop off points where you can leave it and then buy the recycled version of it later.
iv. Padded Mailing Bags
Padded mailing bags are usually lined with bubble wrap. The connection between the mailing bag and the bubble wrap is impossible to break, and therefore you can’t recycle a padded mailing bag.
The answer to whether you can get mailing bags made from recycled materials is yes. But whether they are available also depends on the materials used to make them. Some materials are not recyclable.
