27 Apr 2011 The Great Variety of Custom, Green Interior and Protective Packaging
Posted at 09:11h
in Sustainable Products
[caption id="attachment_2547" align="alignright" width="300" caption="PAPER-BASED PROTECTIVE PACKAGING SOLUTIONS"]
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Even though we are best known for the boxes we sell, it’s what we can create for the inside of the box that truly sets us apart in a crowded field of packaging suppliers.
Recently, we have blogged about partitions and molded pulp options, and our inflatable and other “stock” void fill options are also quite popular. However, the need for custom packaging continues to grow as companies work not only to minimize packaging but also to completely eliminate unfavorable materials such as EPS foam in favor of greener alternatives. Of course, this all has to be accomplished at minimal cost and deliver the product being shipped safely to its destination.
More than a year ago, Packaging Digest published this article about some protective packaging work we did for Volcano Island Honey to safeguard their glass jars of rare and delicious white organic honey from breakage. Gratefully, since then companies have sought us out to help them overcome their greatest packaging challenges, especially if their objective is to solve the problem in the greenest way possible.
In some areas of packaging, there are few green solutions available. Fortunately, however, when it comes to interior protective packaging there are several. Two of the most popular are molded pulp and corrugated partitions, and below is a quick comparison for your convenience. 
A quick look at today’s headlines or the nearest gas pump confirms oil prices are on a steep rise, which ultimately impacts natural gas and plastic resin prices as well as everything we buy or use that contains plastic. Experts tell us there is no end in sight, so as we see plastic packaging going through the roof with some products experiencing multiple price increases in the last six months, it’s a great time to remind our readers that almost any plastic packaging solution has a paper-based alternative. 
From the beginning, our Globe Guard green packaging products have been valued by people eager to reduce waste, as well as minimize their carbon and water footprint. Not surprisingly, many of those same customers have also achieved or are working toward their LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification for their buildings and facilities. Now, thanks to the 
As a substantial U.S. Postal Service rate increase goes into effect on April 17, many in the mailing and fulfillment industry are seeking ways to help minimize the increase, or better yet, reduce costs. Packaging can be an important component in that effort and will either help or hurt your bottom line. Here are a few guidelines to keep in mind.
REVIEW Packaging
Size does matter and so does shape. Is the item being mailed in the smallest possible container? It is not unusual for us to see items shipping in a container that is much larger than necessary because it was created by a design or marketing person with absolutely no regard for postage or shipping costs. The USPS rewards automation and penalizes packages that aren’t automatable. That cute, eye catching die cut your designer is so proud of might be costing you big money. 
Sustainable packaging is probably more available, affordable and competitive than ever before but it is not exempt from what can best be called annual or seasonal price increases. This is the time of year when almost every manufacturer of packaging products passes through an increase to cover material, labor, operational and transportation increases they have incurred in the previous year or anticipate in the coming year.