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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New Eco Friendly Corrugated Mailer

GG-M1493, 14.5” X 9.5” X 3” Globe Guard Die Cut Mailer

A lady in California makes a high quality green product and was eager to ship it in something other than a plain RSC style corrugated shipping box. She asked for more of a “presentation” box and we designed one that fits her products like a glove. She was thrilled with the sample we provided because it shows off and protects better compared to other options.

GG-39, Globe Guard 13” X 13” X 6” RSC style shipping box

We stock a 13” x 13” x 13” high box but sometimes too much of a good thing is not good and definitely not green. The taller box fit a customer’s product well but she only needed a box half as tall for smaller orders. The solution was this new 13 X 13 X 6” high shipping box and convincing us to add it to our stock list was the easiest part.

GG-38, Globe Guard 9” X 6” X 2” RSC style shipping box

A customer in Maine sells beautiful jewelry and was in search of a low profile box that was NOT a die cut mailer. The ideal size for her was 9×6x2 and we decided the size would fit well into our low profile shipping box assortment. We combined our orders and we both benefitted from the longer box run.

GG-7, Globe Guard 7” X 7” X 7” RSC style shipping box

A customer pointed out that we had just about every cube box possible except for the 7” cube he needed. We agreed it was an oversight and immediately added it to stock, once again reducing his cost with the larger box quantity.

It would be incorrect to say we are “willing” to add new box sizes to our lineup. The fact is that we not only encourage it, we actually look for good excuses to do so. If you want or need a green box but you don’t see what you need on our green packaging store web site, PLEASE let us know. You may the customer that helps us to add an item that others will also appreciate and buy.

New Eco Friendly Shipping Boxes

Green Shipping Boxes
Eco Friendly Packaging Materials
Discounts on Eco Friendly Shipping Supplies

Learn more about the Globe Guard ® Resusable Box

You Can't Reuse Poor Quality Packaging

Reusable Green Products Deserve Reusable Green Packaging

A quick look at the Eco Bags website shows a wide variety of reusable and eco friendly products designed to help heal and preserve our planet. They offer beautiful stock and custom products in many shapes and colors from domestic manufacturers as well as other parts of the world.

Importing product makes the reuse of factory packaging a challenge because the quality and standards in other parts of the world of some packaging products such as corrugated shipping boxes, are not high as ours. Importing also means the product and packaging have to make a long trip by boat with additional handling at both ends of the voyage. The end result is that in some cases (photo shown above) the poor quality packaging does not hold up nearly as well as the high quality products Eco Bags imports.

Keep in mind that even when the foreign packaging survives the trip to Eco Bags, it will likely require additional shipment to a distribution point, fulfillment house, or even to a retailer. The product may also be custom printed which typically results in additional handling, shipment and repacking.

When Reusing Packaging Is Not Possible

At some point it is no longer practical to reuse packaging when the product’s security or cleanliness becomes at risk. The people at Eco Bags are experts at extending the life of packaging but there is a time when the packaging patient has to be pronounced dead and requiring replacement.

At that time the challenge is to utilize new packaging that is consistent with their green mission and does minimal harm to the environment. After review of their options the good people at Eco Bags selected Globe Guard boxes as their domestic supplier. They liked the fact that our boxes are 100% PCW recycled content. They also appreciate our competitive prices and our ability to help them brand their boxes with their popular logo and web address.

We are pleased to be suppliers of green, cost competitive and custom branded shipping boxes to some greenest companies in America. Companies like Eco Bags tend to be very selective about their packaging and suppliers and we appreciate it.

A Sales Message on Every Globe Guard Shipping Box

We’re All in It Together

If you are a regular ISP reader you know how much I enjoy meeting and interviewing people who are making a difference in this world. I also truly like being on the opposite side of the interview and freely sharing green facts and opinions.

Recently a very smart lady named Mary Kearns, owner of Herban Lifestyle interviewed me for her blog. Mary is a fellow Green America member as well as a fellow 1% for the Planet contributor. She also happens to be a customer but that is never an interview requirement. Mary asked great questions and it turns out, is an excellent writer as well. You can read the interview here – How to Green Your Packing and Shipping.

A Thought Provoking Interview

This interview definitely made me think. I usually don’t promote my interviews on other blogs because I feel I am sharing much of the same information with the interviewer’s readers that I typically share with you, ISP readers. However, recently we have been a subject of several blog posts and Mary’s interview reminded me how important it is for all of us to continue sharing and learning from each other.

Our customers tend to be very concerned and very smart about the environment and are eager to learn about packaging. Mary Kearns has a PhD degree (I told you she was smart) but one is not required to learn about sustainable packaging. You just have to care enough to take the time to know what you are shipping out into the world. It is really not that difficult to ask yourself three simple questions.

1. Am I using the least amount of packaging possible?
2. What is it made of?
3. Can it be reused and if not what will become of it?

Sustainable Packaging 101

We truly appreciate customers like Mary Kearns who ask the questions that are necessary to make the right decisions about the packaging products they use. She is also doing something else that is so incredibly important – she is sharing the knowledge she’s gained through her own experience and investigation, with people she may not even know, because it is the right thing to do. That is pretty neat!

As we approach the 40th Earth Day celebration, let’s remember that it takes a planet to save one. Thank you Mary.
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Green Shipping Boxes
Eco Friendly Packaging Materials
Special Deals on Eco Friendly Shipping Supplies

Size Appropriate, Green Packaging

People often forget that REDUCE is one of the three R’s of sustainability. Using less makes sense for so many reasons but sometimes finding unusual size shipping containers can be a challenge. In the last few months we have added the following to our Globe Guard store

• Larger Shipping Boxes
• Shorter, Low Profile Shipping Boxes
• Longer, Taller Shipping Boxes

What may have gone unnoticed is that we have also been recently adding a terrific variety of very small containers for very small products.

4 New, Eco Friendly Products for Shipping Small Items

Four New Products for Small Items Added to the Globe Guard Line

Globe Guard 4” X 8” Bubble Lined Poly Mailer. It is made with low density polyethylene inside and out. Unlike paper outside/poly bubble inside, our mailers can be recycled anywhere a plastic bag can be recycled whether it is at curbside or your local grocery store.

Globe Guard 5” X 10” Flat Paper Mailer Envelope – made out of 100% recycled content. Strong enough to be reusable and easily recycled when its work is done.

Globe Guard 7” X 3” X 2” Die Cut Corrugated Mailer. It is made out of our Globe Guard 100% recycled content board and features a front lock design so it is safe, secure and very strong, making it ideal for eye glasses and other fragile items.

Our new 4” Cube Box is the latest addition to our already excellent selection of cube shipping boxes which includes 5”, 6”, 8”, 9”, 10”, 12”, 13”, 14” 16”, 18” and 20” Just like all of our other stock Globe Guard boxes, our 4” cube is 100% PCW (post consumer waste) recycled content.

All of these products are stock products on our store but please remember, if you don’t see exactly what you need, let us know. We also specialize in custom size products of every type and can custom print just about anything we make.

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Visit the Globe Guard ® Green Packaging Store for -

Green Shipping Boxes
Eco Friendly Packaging Materials
Special Deals on Eco Friendly Shipping Supplies

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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Visit the Globe Guard ® Green Packaging Store for -

Green Shipping Boxes
Eco Friendly Packaging Materials
Special Deals on Eco Friendly Shipping Supplies

Contrary to Popular Opinion, Green Packaging Doesn't Have to Cost More

This was my third consecutive year at this show and in terms of packaging sustainability I would have to admit that the Housewares industry has been a little slow to jump on the green bandwagon. I even wrote an article about it for Sustainable Is Good in 2008 that commented on the very mixed reaction the Housewares industry had to sustainability.

I am very pleased to report that two years later they “get it”. I was thrilled to see countless booths showing eco friendly and green products and for the most part, much of the packaging was “eco-consistent” with the products they are making and marketing. I was truly pleased to see how much progress was made in a short two year period.

Back to the greatest myth

However, there is one area where many of the people still lag behind and that is in the realization that green packaging does not necessarily have to cost more.

In numerous conversations I had with people who appeared to have a sincere interest in making their packaging more eco friendly, they commented on the “high cost of green packaging”. In fact many of the inaccurate perceptions and outdated perceptions I have dealt with in the past are alive and kicking in this segment of the market. They include -

• You can’t find green packaging products
• The minimums are too high
• The quality isn’t there yet
• And of course, the greatest myth of all – green packaging costs too much

Forward to the sustainable packaging truth

We have spent the last three years of our lives exposing and destroying these myths by making eco friendly packaging products available and affordable. The minimums are truly minimal and we guarantee our quality to be second to none.

The best moment of the show for me was meeting a lady from Ohio who was eager to speak with me after my brief (non-commercial) presentation on what else – sustainable packaging. She told me she had spent countless hours searching for a supplier like us and getting to know us “made the trip to the show and Chicago worthwhile”. She also promised to check out our website and contact us soon after the show.

She placed her first order with us today, just three days after we met at the Housewares Show. She definitely “gets it” and is as committed to green as anyone I have ever met.

I guess a lot can change in a couple of years, huh?
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Visit the Globe Guard ® Green Packaging Store for -

Green Shipping Boxes
Eco Friendly Packaging Materials
Special Deals on Eco Friendly Shipping Supplies

Celebrate Our One Year Anniversary with 20 Percent Off All Items!

Almost one year ago, on March 18, 2009 we launched our new web site as the first green packaging store on the internet. With no existing customer base to rely on, we were convinced if we offered good quality eco friendly packaging products at a competitive price, most people would do the right thing for the environment. Gratefully, you have.

So for the entire month of March, with a $50 minimum order, any customer using promo code ONEYEAR will receive a 20% discount on all stock products on our e-commerce site. It is our way of saying thank you to the customers who have helped to make our dream, a reality.

How the Globe Guard Green Packaging Product Line Has Grown

What began as eight RSC shipping box sizes has developed into thirty-five sizes that include a wide assortment of cube boxes, long boxes and low profile boxes. Most of these additions were suggested by you, the customers who eagerly sought environmentally responsible packaging products.

In addition we are growing our list of corrugated specialty and die cut sizes to include book fold boxes, tuck mailers and front lock mailers. We create custom inserts, dividers and partitions for our stock product and can easily design a custom shipping box for the most unique and challenging applications.

Leaders in Eco Friendly Void Fill Products

We may have the widest variety of green inner packaging solutions on the internet to protect products during shipment. Our options include -

• Globe Guard Oxo-Biodegradable bubble packaging
• Globe Guard packaging papers in many grades and widths
• Globe Guard Eco Nest – a shredded corrugated loose fill product
• Globe Guard Eco Flex – an incredibly versatile molded pulp product
• Globe Guard inflatable air pillows

If these don’t do the job, we have other products available including custom corrugated and paperboard solutions.

A Lot More than Just the Best Eco Friendly Shipping Boxes

Thanks to you and some excellent industry leading manufacturers we have been able to expand the Globe Guard Products.com store to include:

• 100% PCW paper plain and gusseted mailers for soft goods and other applications
• 100% PCW labels to help you be as eco consistent as possible
• 100% LDPE bubble lined mailers that are recyclable anywhere poly bags are accepted and recycled
• Plastic and water activated tapes available plain and custom printed
• High yield stretch film
• Packaging dispensers for every product we offer

We are truly grateful to you, the loyal customers we have gained this first year of operation and are glad to provide you with a 20% discount on every stock item on our store, including sale items on any order over $50. This offer expires on March 31, 2010 and is limited to stock on hand, so please shop today and don’t forget to use discount code ONEYEAR at check out.

Thank you for making our first year successful and we look forward to continue serving you in 2010.
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Visit the Globe Guard ® Green Packaging Store for -

Green Shipping Boxes
Eco Friendly Packaging Materials
Special Deals on Eco Friendly Shipping Supplies

See our revolutionary, patent pending Globe Guard® Reusable Shipping Box!

8 x 6 x 6 Eco Friendly Box with Partitions

Creating a High Profile in Low Profile Packaging

It’s no secret we spend considerable time developing and promoting our Globe Guard brand of sustainable, eco friendly packaging products. We realize one of the best ways we can accomplish our objectives is to continuously enhance its value to our customers by helping them get their packaging done in as environmentally responsible a way as possible.

Four New Boxes Added to the Globe Guard Green Packaging Web Store

We are pleased to announce the addition of the following to our Globe Guard 100% PCW, recycled content, box sizes.

• 8” X 6” X 6” RSC style, 32 ECT shipping box
• 9” X 5” X 5” RSC style, 32 ECT shipping box
• 14” X 12” X 6” RSC style, 32 ECT shipping box
• 20” X 14” X 4” RSC style, 32 ECT shipping box

We realize not everyone needs a tall or cube box so when you add these four new sizes to the variety of sizes we already have, we are confident we can fit most products and applications with the right box for the job.

Current box sizes include: 8” X 6” X 3” tall, 9” X 8” X 4” tall, 10” X 10” X 5” tall, 12” X 9” X 4” tall, and 12” X 10” X 6” tall.

Need a Unique Eco Friendly Box for a Unique Eco Friendly Product?

Regular readers may tire of hearing this but I hope they understand we draw new readers constantly who may not have heard this before: over 50% of the boxes we sell are custom size, custom grade and/or custom printed. Unlike many internet packaging suppliers, we understand and can help customers design custom packaging for their unusually shaped or configured products. We are also experts at combining a wide variety of substrates and products to -

• Minimize cost
• Maximize recyclability
• Minimize packaging waste by weight and volume
• Maximize reusability
• Minimize the negative impact on the environment

Let us know what your toughest most difficult challenge is and we will likely help you develop a low cost, green solution.
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Visit the Globe Guard ® Green Packaging Store for -

Green Shipping Boxes
Eco Friendly Packaging Materials
Special Deals on Eco Friendly Shipping Supplies

See our revolutionary, patent pending Globe Guard® Reusable Shipping Box!

New Recycled Packaging Website!

A Sustainable Packaging “Fork in the Road”

We have launched a new web site, www.recycledpackaging.com, and its purpose is really quite simple. It serves only to help visitors determine which of our business web sites (www.salazarpackaging.com or www.globeguardproducts.com) is mostly likely to offer the solutions to their packaging challenges. Potential customers can easily determine if stock eco friendly packaging products are what they need or if their application demands a custom solution. We certainly appreciate and welcome all new visitors to both of our sites but for new potential customers in a hurry, we think this option will enable them to more quickly find what they are looking for.

Stock versus Custom Eco Friendly Packaging

We have proven time and time again that the price gap between the two is not nearly as large as many people think. What is equally important to us is making sure the right and minimal packaging product is used for any specific application.

For example, every packaging supplier, including us, will stock a 12” cube box. It is one of the most popular sizes and a “must have” size for ecommerce packaging stores like ours. If a customer only needs 25 or 50 boxes, a 12” cube stock shipping box is most certainly the way to go. If however the correct size box for the item being shipped is actually a 10.5” X 9” X 11” high, and the need is for 500 boxes, most people are surprised to see how economical custom size boxes can be. In most cases you can add your custom print to the same box for little or no additional cost, other than a relatively inexpensive, one time printing plate cost.

Versatility and Flexibility

Many of our customers buy both types of products. Perhaps a custom box for one specific product and purpose, and a stock size for a different application. Recently our blog featured a post about our somewhat unique ability to combine custom and stock packaging products to save our customers time, space and money. You may find it worth reading.

What we do not offer are stock answers. Every customer and application are different so we take the time to review each one and offer the best advice, even if it is a product we do not offer.

Please stop in and see our new www.recycledpackaging.com site. It is new and content is still being developed but you may find the FAQ page worthwhile. Thank you again for your continued interest and support of our Globe Guard eco friendly packaging products.