Where to Find Free Packaging Materials

Packaging. It's one of the biggest contributions we all make to landfills and excessive waste. Potato chips, ziploc bags, juice, TV dinners...these all have some sort of packaging that winds up, for the most part, being tossed into the garbage, only to wind up in a landfill. Businesses also produce a large amount of packaging waste, from cardboard boxes, tape and packing slips to ink cartridges. There are simple ways that you can reduce the amount of packaging your business uses.

Recycling packaging is even greener than using biodegradable packaging. Sounds crazy, but if you think about it, it's true! Use up the pre-existing packaging that's around that would've been thrown away and you're preventing new packaging from being made.

Where do you find recycled packaging for free?

There are many places that you can find all of the free packaging that you might need. First, try Craigslist or Kijiji to see what's available in your local area.

You should also try your local post office. If your local USPS knows that you'll be by to grab packing pillows, packing peanuts and used boxes, they will most likely save them for you. Grocery stores and mall stores also often have used boxes and packing that they'd be more than glad to give you. You'll be saving them the expensive dumpster space by taking it off their hands for free.

Businesses must consume to stay in business, it's their nature. However, this doesn't mean they're free to avoid recycling. Here are a list of things you can start recycling to lighten the carbon footprint of your business:

• Paper: printed, brochures, junk mail


• Cardboard boxes: save them up and bring them to the recycling center.


• Plastic bottles: soda bottles, detergent, cleaning products. Save these up as well, or send them curbside if possible.


• Packing peanuts, air pillows, other packaging: put an ad in Craigslist to have eager shippers pick up free packing supplies.


• Recycle your old computers. Sounds difficult, but it's not that hard.


• Provide your employees with a reusable cup or mug and do away with the disposable drinkware.