The Right Green Void Fill for the Total Application

We tend to talk a lot about application appropriate green packaging but that is not just about the packaging materials being used. Among other factors, it is also about who is using it, where it is being used, how it is being used, the volume of packages being produced and what is being shipped. The best, green packaging product for shipping an ornamental glass vase is probably not the same green packaging product we might recommend for shipping a machine stand like this. I love shredded corrugated and paper based void fill but whenever shipping products with small, expensive and/or removable pieces, there are probably better options to be utilized. Namely, void fill and cushioning packaging options that do not make it easy to possibly lose critical components.

Replacement Cost for Lost Components

Years ago I worked with a company and learned that in addition to the lost good will and positive shopping experience, they experienced an eighty dollar cost, above and beyond the cost of the missing component which in most cases had a value of less than five dollars. We recently worked with a distributor of high value, small size goods and their “product lost” claims dropped by over 80% when they switched from a loose fill product to an inflatable pillow void fill solution.

Whether product and component loss is real, perceived or even intentional, the cost to you as the shipper is very real and it can quickly make the packaging product cost almost insignificant.

Void Fill Cost versus Price

In addition to the green aspect of any given packaging product, we must also evaluate the true cost rather than just the basic price. Considerations such as shipping cost, storage space, labor costs and even product loss have to be factored in order to perform an accurate cost comparison and analysis.

Let us know if you would like us to help you determine the best and most cost effective solution for your packaging challenges.
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Congratulations, Bad Axe Tool Works!

Even at that time, we knew Mark and Bad Axe were special. However, we had no idea just how committed they were to walking the eco-walk until we saw their new and improved Web site and a surprising addition they chose to make.

The Globe Guard Eco-Consistency Award Cannot Be Bought

Please note that most Globe Guard Eco Consistency Award winners are not customers. In fact, the only two recipients during all of 2009 were not customers at all: They were Home Depot for their plastic flower pot recycling program and Unilever for their club store Axe Deodorant three-pack.

There are so many companies that fall short in terms of eco-consistency that we feel obligated to point out the ones that do try harder and are successful.

When the Packaging Application Gets Tough, the Tough Turn to Globe Guard

Mark Harrell makes best-of-class cutting tools so sharp edges are a desired end result on every product, not just an occasional packaging problem. At the same time, Mark also understands that his customers care about the environment and expect their suppliers to respect eco-friendly solutions in everything they do. This philosophy, combined with a tremendous personal commitment and belief, is why Mark works so hard to make sure his packaging is effective and as green as possible.

Green and Proud of It

We were blown away when we saw the “About my green packaging” page on his new and improved Web site. After all, we have a lot of great customers who are eco-consistent all the way through their secondary packaging, but none (that we know of) devote a page to it on their Web site. Please note that we are only one of three vendors Mark utilizes to get the job done in a very green way.

During a round table discussion at a sustainability conference I attended last week, a few people mentioned that sometimes companies are reluctant to bring too much attention to their sustainability initiatives. The reasons cited included the possibility of raising unrealistic expectations, inviting criticism, starting something that can’t possibly finish, etc. That is part of the reason we love companies like Bad Axe Tool Works. They eagerly and enthusiastically put their green solutions on display and challenge others to follow their example.

Excellent work, Mark Harrell and Bad Axe Tool Works! Thank you for your eco-consistent green message and for the great plug for our Globe Guard products.

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The opportunity to get to know people and their businesses is one we truly appreciate and value. It goes far beyond social media — it is truly connecting with people on a one to one basis when they share their dreams and passion with you.

One who freely shares is Linda Stein, the founder of Zosimos Botanicals. We clicked while working on a recent custom-printed shipping box project, and I am very pleased to be able to share her story with ISP readers.

ISP Readers: Linda has graciously offered us a discount code on her site www.zosimosbotanicals.com. Use promo code GLOBEGUARD for a 15% discount on your purchase.

Linda Stein, founder of Zosimos Botanicals

DS: Linda, we have to begin with your company name. Can you please tell us how you decided on Zosimos and give us your “elevator speech” on what your company does.

LS: First of all, thank you for taking an interest in my company, Dennis. Zosimos refers to a third century alchemist, Zosimos of Panoplis. Because most people have never heard of him, they only think of us when hearing or seeing the Zosimos name. It’s a strong trademark, which helps build brand recognition since there are no competing associations to overcome.

Basically, we make healthy cosmetics by hand. We use only natural or certified organic ingredients like essential oils, floral waters, natural waxes and nut butters. Part of our mission is educating people on the ability to create effective products without harsh chemicals.

The studio is environmentally conscious, right down to the last detail. It matters to me that the shipping envelopes are 100% recycled content and that our boxes are Globe Guard 100% post-consumer waste content.

Plus, there are social responsibility projects we are involved in throughout the year.

How fresh are your cosmetic and skin products?

DS: Your personal story is a fascinating one because I know you were a practicing Trademark attorney when you became interested in personal care products. Tell us a little about your background and what drove you to become a “green entrepreneur.”

LS: Yes, I “left the law for lipstick.” I have always been highly sensitive to eye makeup and very creative. After a few years of practicing law, a friend started a business handcrafting cosmetics. She became busy, I offered to help, and look what happened!

Being a formulator is so much more fun. People thank me every day for making toxic-free makeup available for them. No one ever thanked me when I practiced law.

As an added benefit, the apprenticeship corresponded with my husband and I starting a family. The studio is attached to my home, so when not working I can spend time with my kids. As an Indiepreneur, I probably work more hours, and suspect you probably do also. I’m a content human being.

DS: Knowing how popular and even “mainstream” personal care products have become, how do you manage to make yours different and stand out in an ever crowded market segment?

LS: You’ll be surprised how different we are. As a micro-business, we can update recipes to make them safer and introduce new products very quickly. Our products don’t have synthetic preservatives and cannot be warehoused, so there’s no need to recall items from nationwide distributors.
Almost all of Zosimos products are available in miniature sizes. People love this. They can try out the colors inexpensively, and it eliminates waste.

We have built a community with our customers. It’s about more than the makeup.

DS: Linda, you told me you have signed the “Compact for Safe Cosmetics.” Please tell our readers what that is and why it is important.

LS: The Compact is a European Directive that companies making their own line of cosmetics can sign. To put it very simply, it is a vow to make products without carcinogens, mutagens and endochrine disruptors. A U.S. entity, the Environmental Working Group maintains a cosmetic database where consumers can research the safety of ingredients, companies and products. Everything that Zosimos Botanicals sells falls within the safest rating on the cosmetic database.

Many of our customers find us through the cosmetic database. Typically they have become aware of the harmful ingredients in their current personal care products and are seeking out healthy replacements.

DS: One of the first things anyone will notice on your Web site is your “100% wind-powered workshop” where you make your product. Please tell us about that.

LS: Our community offers a “clean currents” program that allows us to choose 100% wind energy for our electricity. It would be nice, but we don’t have a turbine out back.

DS: One of the other things that makes your product unique is that is not made in advance and actually manufactured “to order.” How does this product “freshness” make a difference on cosmetic and skin care products?

LS: My ingredient philosophy is “what is applied topically is as important as what you ingest.” Just as many foodstuffs have expiration and freshness dates, so do cosmetics and skincare products. You are exactly right: Zosimos begins crafting the items when they are ordered. No one is simply picking anything off of a shelf and packing it up. The facial cream sent to a customer was made within the last few days, if not hours. It’s the freshest makeup, period.

Everything is custom, right down to the biodegradable bubble packaging. We use a heat sealer to create an individually sized pouch tailored to the items in the order. Any selvage is cut and used as fill in the boxes.

DS: I’ve noticed you have your own e-commerce site but your products are also available via retail stores and other Internet outlets such as Etsy. How important is it today to be able to take your products to market via multiple channels?

LS: It’s very important to reach out to as many people as possible. The more familiar your brand becomes in the public, the more likely people are to trust in the products and make purchases. A customer may see a YouTube video containing a link to our Etsy store. A Google search may bring up our e-commerce store. Environmentally conscious folks find us through World of Good by E-Bay. The more available we are, the more likely it is that a customer will access our products. A great advantage to having our logo and URL on the new boxes is everyone in the mail stream can see it. The ladies at the Post Office always complement us on it! Kudos to you Dennis, for making custom packaging products available to small businesses. Zosimos makes exclusive custom cosmetics available in the same way.

Thank you Linda for your time and for teaching us about your company as well as your industry. We are truly grateful and wish you the best of luck.

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Slip sheets are those almost invisible layers of packaging material you usually find between a pallet and a product load or even in between layers of a product load. Many companies will add a second slip sheet to the top of the load, in case the pallet is double stacked. Slip sheets provide some level of abrasion protection and are used primarily to keep products clean. On certain types of product loads, they can even be used to eliminate or avoid a pallet altogether. Slip sheets can be made of plastic, paper board or corrugated. Regardless of material type, what they almost always have in common is that slip sheets are certain to wind up as waste, as soon as the load arrives at its destination. 

Sustainable Opportunity Discovered

Giving credit where credit is due, during a conversation about our 100% recycled (PCW) Globe Guard corrugated boxes, it was a customer that asked the question, “Can I use this board for my slip sheets? I really hate the amount of corrugated we use for that purpose.” Resisting the temptation to slap my own head like in one of those V-8 Juice commercials, I immediately replied, “There is absolutely no reason to use virgin board for that application”. Since that initial conversation, I have suggested it to several other customers and soon, a few of them will be using our brand new Globe Guard slip sheets and reducing their cost in the process.

Lessons Learned

Sustainable opportunities are all around us and in spite of popular belief, they do not always require a lot of  time and and money. It is important to examine the application and use of a product as well as the volume or composition. Sometimes, a really good green solution is right under our nose, or right under our load.

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• Is This Too Much Packaging, You Think?

Image by Getty Images via Daylife

The business community is wary of consumer fads, and well it should be. We consumers, after all, are notoriously fickle. I’ve got ties I wore proudly five years ago that look ridiculous today, and I’ll bet you have more than a few fashion skeletons in your closet as well.

Now, some businesses view sustainability and sustainable packaging as the latest industrial version of the leisure suit, but I believe these issues are not trends at all, but represent a very long term change in the market’s values and priorities. Here’s why.

1. Broad based market awareness. Americans are more informed than ever about environmental issues. Knowledge is a one-way street — once you have it, it doesn’t just disappear.
2. Generational values. The younger you are, the more environmental issues are a part of your natural mental fabric. Once ideas are woven in, they are not likely to unravel.
3. $4.00/gallon gasoline. Concepts such as “carbon footprint” and “carpooling” and “battery powered” become much less theoretical when non-sustainability becomes a top of mind pocketbook issue. Global supply and demand for energy indicate the issue will get worse before it gets better.
4. New president. Whether we have a President McCain or a President Obama, we will have a more sustainable-minded administration than we do today. For better or worse, presidents shape values.
5. New Congress. With big Democratic majorities likely this fall, it’s just as likely we will see more environmental regulation by next spring. Like it or not, here it comes, and business will have to adapt (and it will, successfully, as it always does).

How do you see it? Are there other reasons why sustainability is here to stay? Can you see any reasons why it may not be here to stay?