A lot of governments throughout Europe are now charging companies more for the amount of rubbish they send to landfill, yet they offer tax relief for those companies that recycle the majority of their packaging. With global pressure on countries to show green initiatives the same tax relief might soon be available in the US.

Simply put it not only helps the environment to recycle your packaging but can also save you money.

Packaging is one of the biggest environmental issues facing us today, with the majority of plastic packaging taking up to 3,000 years to break down. And whilst many new avenues are being explored with regards to biodegradable packaging we are still a long way off from being able to combat the problem.
So, we need to have a good look at what we use as packaging;

Above anything else cardboard packaging stands out head and shoulders above the rest as the form of packaging that is the easiest to recycle.

Cardboard Boxes are Easy to Recycle

Image by zakwitnij

If you own a company that is shipping a lot of parcels each week then there are some easy steps you can take to help reduce your carbon footprint.

1. Avoid Foam Packaging

The first tip is to avoid using foam packaging, be it in the form of inserts or foam chips, either of which can take thousands of years to break down in a landfill site.

2. Use Alternate Packaging Fillers – Like Shredded Paper

Instead of foam packing material why not consider using shredded paper. Even if your customer does not recycle it, at least it will break down fast in a landfill site or even in a compost bin.

3. Re-Use Packages and Fillers That You Receive

If you are a manufacturing company then the chances are that you will be receiving in a lot of parcels with packaging that you normally throw away. However why not consider re-using the cardboard boxes or foam chips that they come packed with?

After all nearly every person selling goods on eBay recycles all of their old packaging. If we buy something at an online auction do we worry about how it comes packaged as long as it arrives in one piece? No we do not. Yet if we buy something new we expect it to come in nice new packaging, yet what is the real difference? It is all about perception.

4. Link In With a Local Packaging Recycler

Search for companies that will recycle your used business packaging, many will also be able to sell you reconditioned packaging. Check out our article about an amazing company, UsedCardBoardBoxes.com

http://www.oureverydayearth.com/they-make-recycled-boxes-their-business/

With a little thought we can change our perception of what packaging should be by re-using and recycling the majority of our packaging.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/48089670@N00/ / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

Green Thanksgiving - Follow Our Three L's

Buy produce with LESS packaging… Reduce waste before the food even hits the table!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/coollibrarian/ / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

Buying bulk foods uses LESS packaging

Checkout this fabulous guide to using bulk foods for your Thanksgiving feast brought to you DiscoverBulk.com;
Using Bulk Foods for Thanksgiving

Save your Turkey and eat the LEFTOVERS! Come up with inventive ways to eat all of that leftover Turkey.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kudzuplanet/ / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

Using all of those LEFTOVERS is super green

The BHG Guide to Using Leftover Turkey

Buy fruit and vegetables from LOCAL producers – find your nearest farmers market and try to buy all of your required fruit and veggies there to support local farms.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/weaselmcfee/ / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

Buy LOCAL produce from farmers markets

Search for a Farmers Market near you

So there you have it, that was our run down of the three L’s for a green Thanksgiving celebration. Let us know if you have any extra tips for an eco friendly Thanksgiving holiday…