6 Eco-Friendly Packaging Alternatives for Shipping Building Materials

Sustainable contractors need the right materials to manage their projects successfully. There are some important building materials that are dependable, cost-effective and eco-friendly.

However, finding eco-friendly building materials isn’t enough. You also need to make sure that the materials are transported in the eco-friendliest manner possible.

This involves using the right packaging to ship the materials. Some packaging materials are a lot eco-friendlier than others. You will need to keep this in mind when coming up with sustainable building materials.

Importance of Choosing the Right Eco-Friendly Packaging Materials for Your Business

We previously talked about upgrading packaging to make buildings more environmentally friendly. This is also a good idea if you want to make your construction business more sustainable as well. You can use eco-friendly packaging materials to transport building materials with a lower carbon footprint.

With tons of waste filling landfills each year, society becomes environmentally conscious, from reusing grocery bags to eating more sustainably. Every single person in the world is becoming responsible for the waste which they produce and what type of effect it might have on the environment.

This is why most businesses look for compostable packaging so as to ship their products and safely reach clients. As a result, the demand for eco-friendly options is growing popular. Some of these packaging options include:

1. Cornstarch

This organic material has made its way into the eco-friendly packaging sector. Derived from maize plant or corn, it has a plastic-like property, which you may use instead of plastics. From loose-fill and molded forms to bottles packaging, cornstarch adds more uses to this American crop.

Although cornstarch is a more sustainable alternative to petroleum-based packaging, it has some problems. It competes with the animal and human food supply, increasing the cost of dietary staples.

2. Cardboard

Recycled packaging is a perfect way to prolong the life of previously used material. When you decide on containers or boxes, be sure to consider packaging, which consists of recycled materials.

Cardboard is a popular and good example of recycled packaging. The best thing about the packaging is lightweight, and you can cut and form other materials, making it a very convenient option for shipping boxes.

3. Fillers

This biodegradable packaging is an alternative to Styrofoam peanuts or EPS. They usually work better when compared to regular packaging and are easy on the environment. However, there are some drawbacks to certain biodegradable packaging options.

At the same time, bubble wrap is dangerous for the environment because it doesn’t break down. However, you may go for an eco-friendly option. Among the options, which is a wrap to serve the reason as the bubble wrap.

4. Mushroom

Big brands like Ikea are adopting mushroom packaging for their products. As an eco-friendly and natural option, mushroom packaging is becoming helpful for the environment. This packaging decomposes in one or three months, and when organisms ingest it, the option becomes less harmful.

In addition, mushroom packaging is great for supporting small things, and you may mold it into all the shapes you desire for maximum protection. What is more, you may decompose the packaging at home, allowing it to break down into a non-toxic matter.

5. Reusable Envelopes

Papers are common packaging materials, which you can reuse over and over. Though some supplies usually create boxes, which are very large for the products inside, wasting space and material. Apart from wasting the packaging material, this also increases the costs for the businesses.

Rather than that, you should create smaller and thinner packaging, such as envelopes, which fits your products more closely to reduce the wasted cardboard and shipping costs.

6. Air Pillows

If your business needs a lightweight packaging material to reduce shipping costs, you may need to consider air pillows consisting of recycled materials.

Similar to packaging peanuts, you may use air pillows to fill up space inside packages and boxes while providing extra cushioning for your fragile products. Many air pillows feel and look like regular plastics, but most are made from biodegradable or recyclable materials.

Sustainable Packaging Materials Are Important for Eco-Friendly Contractors

The strongest trend in the eco-friendly building sector revolves around the circular economy. You need to focus on improving the sustainability of every element of your business model, including the packaging used to transport building materials. As an entrepreneur, you need to ensure your products are shipped on time and safely. The best way to achieve this is to use quality packaging while improving your reputation by proving that you care a lot about the environment.

By considering eco-friendly packaging, you will be able to show your customers a sense of social responsibility. This needs to include offering eco-friendly alternatives, like air pillows, mushrooms, cardboard, and fillers packaging, just to name a few.