S p e c ia l
D e l i v e r s
WHEN PACKING AND SENDING
HOLIDAY GIFTS, A FEW SIMPLE
PRACTICES WILL HELP YOU REDUCE
WASTE AND SAVE MONEY.
■ Look for the smallest possible box, allowing
for only a few inches of packing material on all
sides of the item you’re sending A box that’s
been used before is always greener than buying
a new one, but make sure it’s sturdy. Mark over
any printing that could be confused with
shipping information. To reuse a densely printed
box, open the bottom and slit the side along
one corner; turn the box inside out, then tape
the open side and bottom.
■ Reuse bubble wrap and packing peanuts
if you have them, or create your own waste-free
filler. Run paper shopping bags through a strip-
cut shredder to create long strips that will
cushion your gift and can be easily reused or
recycled. You can also shred this year's used
calendar pages or heavy-stock mail-order \
catalog pages. Skip the magazines
and newspapers (their pages are too flimsy), »
and avoid using a cross-cut shredder, which
"
can create messy, confetti-like pieces.
■ Many delivery companies are striving to be
green through the use of alternative-fuel trucks,
eco-friendly packaging, and printable postage.
The United States Postal Service may have an
edge: It delivers to the same houses on a
regular schedule; fewer special trips mean fewer
extra carbon emissions. To compare the costs of
carriers before you leave home, refer to an
online estimator, such as
shippingsidekick.com.
■
For the least waste,
choose gift wrap made
from recycled paper in a
pattern that can be used
year-round. Ecosaurus
gift wrap; roll of two
36
x
24
-inch sheets, $
7
;
shopecosaurus.com
Get a jump on next year’s shipping by
saving the packing material you receive. Not
interested in storing packing peanuts? Check
loosefillpackaging.com
for local stores where
you can take them to be reused.
by
KIT SELZER
98 DECEMBER 2009 BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS
PHOTO: MARTY BALDWIN
