Our New Reusable Shipping Box

Fulfillment to Correct Mistakes and Problems

Unfortunately one of the types of service required at times is what can only be referred to as “damage control”. Basically, something went wrong and someone has to fix it.

Manufacturers and marketing companies are not in the business of correcting problems so more often than not, those duties are out sourced to a fulfillment company. The problem becomes a little more severe when it is an eco friendly company that is in that position because after all, fixing a mistake typically leaves an even bigger carbon footprint behind. Add the fact that usually the high cost of recalls and similar problems are not budgeted for, and the fulfillment service company has to respond quickly, efficiently, economically and in an environmentally responsible way.

The Advantage of a Two Way, Reusable Box

Today product replacement is not enough. When there is a problem, let’s say a product recall or replacement, companies have to do product exchanges, in part to confirm the new product has been delivered but also to get the incorrect or faulty product off the street and back in their own hands. This may be for legal or PR reasons or possibly for testing, reclaim, and recovery or even to be able to file a claim against a vendor or other company involved in the problem. A box that is 100% recycled content and has the ability to make two trips can be an invaluable asset to help rectify the problem.

The Globe Guard Reusable Box Can Be a Chameleon

With our ability to print the patent-pending, Globe Guard® Reusable Box inside and out, we can easily provide a different look to help customers determine if the contents are the product being replaced or the replacement itself. Imagine printing it red on the inside so that after it is inverted and returned, it can easily be identified and processed. This is especially important if the unhappy customer is anticipating a credit or other compensation.

There are no limitations to what can be printed on the inside, so a ship to address, return code, routing number, customer account or part number, and even a bar code can be easily accommodated.

The Globe Guard Reusable Box is a unique product to help solve unique problems for companies like fulfillment service operations. Tell us about your unusual challenge and we will help you implement a solution that has a low cost for you and the environment.
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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!

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!

Sure there are headaches and disappointments in owning and operating your own business, but we have also enjoyed the privilege and extreme pleasure of working with some pretty incredible people. We agreed our favorite part of the experience is being able to help create and share some unforgettable Green Moments.

What Are Green Moments?

Green Moments: When a committed green minded individual realizes they can have what they want and that is usually a packaging solution that is as green as the products they are promoting. We call it eco-consistency but our customers usually call it, “problem solved”.

Here are some great examples.

• The lady in Maryland who realized she could have her boxes printed with her very attractive logo and it would NOT cost her an arm and a leg to do so.
• The business owner customers we have in Washington State, Georgia and other parts of the USA who are willing to pay a little extra for freight to use the green packaging we offer and they want for their products.
• The lady in California who had spent hours searching for 100% PCW custom sized boxes and realized she could order them from us.
• The green entrepreneur in Texas who is determined to lead her state into greenness and is eager to allow us to help her.
• The eco minded packager in Chicago who just realized he could brand his packaging with custom printed water activated tape.
• Our frustrated new friends in Hawaii whose felt they had exhausted all local possibilities and were glad to find a helpful partner in suburban Chicago.

Looking Forward to 2010

These are but a handful of the dozens of moments we have enjoyed in 2009. We thank all of our customers including and especially the new friends I mentioned above. We may have helped to inspire those green moments; we were also inspired by them and our hope is to be able to enjoy and experience many more in the coming year.

I hope we can all enjoy a happy, healthy and prosperous 2010!
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Visit the Globe Guard Green Packaging Store for -

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

Customers Will Judge You by Your Packaging

Sustainability – Doesn’t End at the Door

In fact, we believe that is where it begins. As green business people we have to hold each other accountable and fortunately I have several die hard, green friends who will let me know if our green marketing ever begins to get ahead of the green facts. It is easy to get carried away or take things at face value as opposed to doing the homework and asking the tough questions of our suppliers. I appreciate it when a friend gives me corrective advice because if they see an inconsistency, it is a sure bet our highly intelligent, skeptical, eco minded customers will as well.

Especially if you are an internet based green company, when your product arrives at its destination, that is likely the first real contact you have with your new customer. The quality, cleanliness and yes, the greenness of your packaging is instantly evaluated.

Sustainable Packaging First Impressions

• Is the packaging intact and did it do a good job of containing and protecting the contents? “My goodness, did this get dragged behind the truck?”
• Is it excessive? “I ordered a DVD and this box could hold two basketballs!”
• Is it attractive, is it branded and does it represent you well? “Who are these people”?
• Is it eco consistent externally? “I can’t believe they shipped my baby’s organic cotton clothes in a plastic bag!”
• Is it eco consistent internally? “I did not even realize they still made packing peanuts.”
• Is it recycled content and/or recyclable? “Darn, this paper / poly mailer is going to wind up in a land fill.”

Packaging and the Contradictory Message

Simply put, if our product says “we care about the environment” then our packaging should communicate the same concern. If not, we are contradicting ourselves and our customers will spot it from a green mile away.
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Visit the Globe Guard Green Packaging Store for -

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

Globe Guard Boxes Have 100% PCW Content

An email exchange with a new reader last week served to remind me that we continuously add new readers and subscribers to our blog, who may have not read some of our older, previous posts on the subject. So every once in a while it is a good idea to recap and update. Last week I also spoke to a prospective West Coast customer who complained her current box supplier was unable to give her the same answer twice on the construction and recycled content of the boxes they are supplying her.

Why 100% PCW Content Corrugated Boxes

Most eco minded people will agree recycling is a necessary component of an effective sustainability strategy. After all, recycling is one of the basic three “R’s” of sustainability along with reduce and reuse. What can we possibly do with all of the paper, corrugated, and paperboard waste we create? After all we can’t make deck lumber, designer bags or high end kitchen counter tops with it.

However, we can make excellent corrugated board and related products out of that paper waste and a handful of companies and suppliers like us are doing just that. To be fair, most corrugated board has some PCW content but the more we use the better, right? As long as there is no compromise on quality or performance, doesn’t it make sense to reuse as much of that waste as possible?

Dispelling the 100% PCW Quality Myth

Our products have been tested over and over again and grade for grade 100% PCW is every bit as strong and performs as well as any other board construction combination. As I have said many times, “ALL 32 ECT boxes are 32 ECT strong, regardless of the board’s recycled content.” After all, that is what that 32 ECT certification stamp on the bottom of every Globe Guard box means – the box has been tested and has met or exceeded the edge crush standard for 32 ECT boxes.

Yet, companies that don’t have 100% PCW to offer continue to respond with information that is at best out dated, and at worst, deceptive. “That stuff is no good.” “100% PCW board is not approved for UPS, USPS, or FedEx shipment”, they may say. “That board is like the stuff that comes in from China”, others may defend. Desperate people say desperate things but many of these comments are outright lies and need to be confronted whenever they are presented as fact.

Dispelling the 100% PCW Price Myth

If competitors do not make inaccurate quality claims, they often hinge their defensive hopes on product price to discourage potential customers. “Recycled corrugated is 20 to 30% more expensive” they often claim.

That may have been true two or three years ago but we have helped to make 100% PCW board and boxes affordable, even to the smallest volume users. There is no longer a premium to be paid for the use of the greenest corrugated product available today.

Back to Corrugated Confusion in California

The lady I spoke to indicated her sales rep initially said his boxes were 70 to 80 % PCW, which if you read my April 2009 post on corrugated board construction you would know is quite unlikely. Later, when pressed the sales rep said his boxes were 30 to 40% PCW, which is probable, but the seeds of distrust had already been planted.

I asked our potential customer what her supplier had provided in writing either on a brochure, proposal or even on their web site and she indicated there was nothing available, anywhere, about the PCW content of their boxes. The only information she could even remotely related to sustainability is a “100% recyclable” stamp on the bottom of the box itself, which we all know means absolutely nothing about the PCW content.

That is usually the first indication that something is wrong. Believe what a supplier company is willing to put in writing, not what a sales rep offers in defense of his product. The other thing to keep in mind is that in today’s green minded market, any company truly offering a 100% PCW product as we do, will likely make it a focal point of their marketing efforts and have it printed everywhere possible, including on their boxes.

Globe Guard boxes were among the first product to carry that 100% PCW copy and make it “eco obvious” to you and our customers.

Please contact us today for pricing and/or samples.

ALL Corrugated Is Recyclable!

Partitions have been rediscovered by the green and packaging communities as a great way to solve a packaging or damage problem, while reducing material and labor costs when compared to other product protection options. Best of all, it can all be accomplished with undeniably eco friendly, corrugated board.

Corrugated Partitions – Not Just for Liquor Bottles Anymore

Historically corrugated partitions have been a mainstay in the liquor and bottled beverage industry because they do such an excellent job of separating and protecting one product from another. Obviously bottle to bottle damage is virtually eliminated and other benefits are also enjoyed.

• Labels are not marred or damaged in shipment because label to label abrasion is prevented.
• Stacking strength is dramatically increased, even when the bottled and cased products are heavy liquids
• Bottles and jars remain upright, minimizing the possibility of leakers

New Applications for Eco Friendly Corrugated Partitions

Recently we have had a flurry of partition projects and applications and here are a few reasons why our customers chose this solution over other options we offered:

To verify count – Products were individually wrapped with Kraft paper to avoid damage and then randomly stacked and packed in a corrugated case. Our customer was being inundated by claims of incorrect counts. Coincidently the complaints were always for under shipment, never over, so we created a 20 cell partition that separated the individual products for easy, accurate count confirmation.

20 Cell Corrugated Partition

To minimize other packaging – We recently did a partition and shipping box design for products individually packaged in very attractive paperboard boxes. The partition kept them apart to avoid surface to surface abrasion but it also enabled our client to use a lighter weight box paperboard than originally planned. The partitions provided all the strength necessary to prevent the retail box from crushing so it looked great on the shelf. We were also able to design in a perimeter air cell to protect the product from the outside as well.

Corrugated Partition with Perimeter Air Cell

Any customers contemplating an increase in case thickness or grade because of shipping damage should consider partitions as a better and lower cost solution.

To satisfy a retailer’s request – In case you have not noticed, retailers depend on their suppliers to deliver product that is display ready. This created a problem for our client who was hand wrapping a semi fragile product in indented Kraft paper for cushioning and cleanliness. The retailer did not want their people to have to unwrap the products for display. Partitions solved the problem and increased our client’s sustainability score because many square inches of paper were eliminated.

Are “Built In” Partitions Right For You?

Many people do not realize partitions can be purchased pre-assembled but in some situations the space required for them may be an issue. One possible solution is utilizing a die cut box design that incorporates partitions. It is very possible an existing die can be used to avoid tooling costs, such as the jar/mug/candle box shown in the photograph below. There is no question that a design like this will be more expensive than a box with a separately constructed partition but it may not be as much as you think when you factor in all of the costs involved and depending on size, quantity, etc.

Built-in Partitions Ideal for Candle, Jar, and Mug Packaging

Corrugated partitions are just one of many solutions we offer and our advice to customers is always to consider the options before committing to the same, often ineffective and over priced solutions. Packaging products are constantly improving and many “old” solutions and designs are being re-invented to solve today’s difficult, green packaging challenges.

Green Shipping Boxes and a Whole Lot More

When a potential customer calls us or visits our Globe Guard Products web store, they usually have a very good idea of what they want and if they find it there, they are able to point, click and the product they need will soon be in their hands. We are indeed a good supplier of green boxes but we also offer a large variety of other eco friendly products on that same site. This includes a large selection of box alternatives and quite frankly, you are not going to get that from your average box maker or seller.

When a box is truly required to ship a product, we also understand the average customer also needs tape to seal the box, void fill to protect the contents and even labels to be able to address the box. Just in the area of void fill alone, we offer one of the widest varieties of loose, molded, paper and eco friendly plastic solutions. Each is in stock and we will gladly and enthusiastically explain the pros and cons of each product for your specific application.

Globe Guard product photo courtesy of Jeffery Levin

Stock versus Custom Corrugated

Many of our Globe Guard Products web store customers do not even realize over 50% of our boxes are custom size, custom grade or custom printed. Frankly, that is why we spend so much time reminding them. We hate to see customers using more packaging and bigger boxes than absolutely necessary and what they see on our store is a small fraction of the boxes and styles we have provided our customers.

One of the fastest growing areas for us is custom printed boxes. We currently have a sale on this product and a recent blog post provides details of that promotion. Customers are into branding and we agree that is usually a great investment so we encourage it and make it affordable but not only with printed boxes, also with printed paper tape. We can pretty much custom print any product we offer including our mailer boxes and mailer (paper and plastic) envelopes.

Every application has a solution and we have the experience to help guide you to the best, least expensive one for you. That leads us to the third benefit we offer our customers:

Application, not Product Focused Packaging Experience

If you ask for design help or product information, the three application people you are likely to get on the phone have a combined experience of almost fifty years. (Forty-eight and a half to be exact!).

After reviewing your needs we may wind up steering you back to our web store if a stock product best serves your needs. If not we will work with you through the sampling, testing and quoting process to determine if a custom product is practical and will best satisfy the requirements.

Something we do not promote nearly enough is our corrugated reduction or elimination capabilities through re-design and/or automation. We can take a full carton application and turn it into a tray and film package, a pad and film package or even an all film design using one of our new eco friendly film formulations. That too, is not a capability or service provided by your average box supplier.

We are broad based, unique and different and that is what makes us hard to describe or define. However, that is also what makes us so valuable to our customers. We hope you will give us the opportunity to show you what we are capable of doing for you.

Globe Guard Corrugated Boxes

Sustainable Packaging Creates Strange Bedfellows

I may be paraphrasing the old adage about politics but there is absolutely no politics involved in the decision for Nashville Wraps to offer Globe Guard, 100% recycled (PCW) content shipping boxes to their customers. It is really all about good customer service and making it easy for customers to order and receive what they want and need.

Two Different Companies with One, Almost Identical Objective

Most people and their own customers recognize Nashville Wraps as an innovator and leader in their market of decorative, retail and gift packaging. They long ago committed to making their products and company as green as possible and made news in the green and packaging communities with their Green Way® product line.

Our company, Salazar Packaging, Inc. has been working toward the same goal in our product area of green, eco friendly packaging products for secondary (shipping) purposes. We created and trademarked the Globe Guard® line of 100% PCW boxes and began promoting them in 2007.

Some Background on Globe Guard Boxes

Two years ago when we spoke with people in the green community, the complaints and comments about green packaging were very consistent:

• Green packaging products are very expensive
• Green packaging products are difficult to find
• Green packaging products are always custom made with large minimums
• Green packaging products are not always authentic

That is what really inspired us to create the Globe Guard product line, which makes 100% PCW boxes available for immediate shipment in small quantities at competitive prices. The products are definitely authentically green and thanks to Nashville Wraps, they are now extremely easy for their customers to order along with their other purchases.

Service is the Key

Today as many companies try to minimize inventory and may even be operating with a reduced staff, convenience is increasingly important as is fast delivery. We have all become used to buying on line over the internet but the goal is to buy what we need with as few “clicks” as possible and in most cases we expect the product at our door within a few days, at most. This alliance between Nashville Wraps and Salazar Packaging is focused on providing that required ease of ordering and convenience.

Eco-Consistency

We at Salazar Packaging love talking about the importance of “eco consistency” which suggests that a company claiming to be green to their customers needs to be green throughout. Shipping your green products to your green minded customers in green packaging is just one step in the right eco direction.

We are confident that together with Nashville Wraps, we will make it easier for our customers to accomplish this, and let’s face it, everyone wins when we do what is right for the environment.

This Thursday, meet Robby Meadows, the founder of Nashville Wraps as we interview him here on Inside Sustainable Packaging.

An Imperfect Sustainable Packaging Example – Cushioned Mailers

We have all used them at one time or another but cushioned (foam or bubble) lined paper mailers feature two excellent materials. Unfortunately they are laminated together and cannot be separated for easy sorting and recycling. Since the outer layer is paper, they are likely to hold up for only one trip through USPS, FedEx, or UPS so it is usually a prompt and short trip to your local land fill. Think about the millions of these that are used for home or office and you can see how easily the problem is compounded.

A Near Perfect Sustainable Packaging Solution – Globe Guard 100% Recyclable (Plastic) Cushioned Mailers

A Better Padded Mailer

Before the anti-plastic people get all worked up, please keep in mind that on sustainable, green packaging, it is not always about bad versus good. Sometimes the decision is not all that simple and the choice is between very bad and perhaps, not so bad. Or in this case between completely unrecyclable and easily recyclable.

I know I would likely be escorted out of some green gatherings for using the C word (compromise) but that is the reality of current eco friendly packaging options. The key is to know what you are using in terms of content and how or if it satisfies the sustainability requirements of reuse, recycle and reduce.

What Makes These Plastic Cushioned Mailers Green

Since they are made of plastic inside and out …

1. They hold up better, especially in wet or dirty conditions, improving the possibility they will be REUSED. In most cases they can be resealed, a new label placed over the old one and it can serve again. I am still amazed at the number of green companies who send out white, paper bubble mailers which will never make a second trip.
2. Since they are lined with protective bubbles, they often REDUCE or even eliminate the need for other cushioning materials such as paper or even different forms of bubble and foam. Those other protective materials often require manual wrapping which adds labor cost and reduces throughput.
3. Last but not least, these mailers contain RECYCLED content and can be RECYCLED in most curb side programs as a #4 LDPE (low density polyethylene) waste. If you ship green products into green minded customer’s homes, think about how easy disposal will now be.

Please keep in mind that this is just one of many eco friendly packaging options we offer so we are able to satisfy a number of different types of applications.

• Does your product really require padding? It may sound like a silly question but you would be surprised at how many companies unnecessarily use padded mailers to ship out soft goods such as eco friendly reusable shopping bags. Ironic, isn’t it?
• Are you adding cushioning materials to your padded mailer and still suffering unacceptable damage rates? Maybe your product should be shipping in a die cut, rigid mailer with a different and more effective void fill product?

I think most packaging distributors would agree that life would be simple and inventories much lower if the world only required one packaging solution or material.  Of course, if that were the case, then our customers would not need our expertise or assistance and we would miss that interaction.

Give our padded mailers a try and you will see a true and green positive difference.
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Visit the Globe Guard Eco Friendly Packaging Store for -

Eco Friendly Corrugated Boxes

Eco Friendly Shipping Supplies

Special Deals on Packaging Supplies

and more!

The Increasingly Crowded Green Blogosphere

The world of eco focused internet blogging has become very crowded as more people and companies are writing about packaging OR about sustainability. Green is an increasingly popular topic because readers are eager to better understand sustainability. Packaging will always be a green focal point for consumers so the growth in interest is to be expected.

In our work as well as in our writing, we strive to be a place where people with an interest in sustainability AND in packaging can learn more about the people and products impacting both.

That is our overall objective on Inside Sustainable Packaging and will be our goal for Common Sense and Sustainability, our new featured blog on Packaging Digest.

Then What’s the Difference between These Two Blogs?

Our commitment is that both blogs will always only feature original content but Inside Sustainable Packaging will remain where I get a little more personal, and adventurous, occasionally wandering off the green packaging topic. Whether it is a product that we applaud or criticize or a chance to do something a little out of the norm, ISP is more likely to be the place you’ll find it.

Common Sense and Sustainability on the other hand will tend to look at the worlds of packaging and sustainability from a broader perspective. Consider it a view from an altitude of 20,000 feet up versus from ground level. Both are important perspectives but each is very distinct and unique. You can also expect the content and topics on Common Sense and Sustainability to be more about processes, industries, and perspective, and less about specific products.

On either format your feedback is always appreciated so please do not hesitate to leave your comments on either blog. Thank you for your continued interest and support.
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Visit the Globe Guard Eco Friendly Packaging Store for -

Eco Friendly Corrugated Boxes

Eco Friendly Shipping Supplies

Special Deals on Packaging Supplies

and more!