Saving Cash on Packaging Supplies

If you own a business, you know the cost of shipping and packaging is extremely expensive, and one of your biggest costs. The cost of getting rid of waste, having shipping materials shipped to you, storing the materials and the time to pack them all adds up.

Packages that have extra unncessary packaging will find themselves in a different situation than not too long ago. Before, customers may have appreciated, requested or enjoyed additional packaging, flyers, materials, etc, but that's not the case in the present day. Abundant packaging conveys a "non-green" attitude, so think about what you are including with your products. Generally, the less packaging the better. The package should still be packaged safely, but surely there are ways that packaging can be reduced.

With leftover packaging supplies like peanuts, cardboard boxes and plastic bags, these are hot items for eBay sellers. Post the items on Craigslist and you're likely to have many responses. The best part is they'll come to your home or business to pick them up! This saves eBay sellers/business owners a lot of money (a bag of peanuts costs nearly $20 at Staples!). You'll also be saving expensive dumpster space and labor time...not to mention doing a great green deed.

VOCs

Yesterday we posted about the proper disposal of paint. As a follow-up, we'd like to go into VOC--volatile organic compounds--which are released from most paints. VOCs are harmful oils or other mediums in paints which can be hazardous when used, especially in enclosed indoor spaces. Traditional household paint contains enough VOCs to give you a whopping headache (you know, that fresh paint smell?). Other products that also have high VOCs are paint thinners, aerosols, disinfectants, dry-cleaned clothing, and even plastics like shower curtains. That new plastic smell when you take the shower curtain out of the package? Thank VOC for that too. In fact, anything that you notice a "new plastic smell" on, you should think twice before taking a deep whiff! Some of the other side effects of high exposure to VOC are migraines, damage to the liver and kidneys, and even cancer! Read up more on VOC here.

To find low VOC paints, visit eartheasy for a list of approved sites. Also, some alternatives for objects like shower curtains, try avoiding products with vinyl, instead opting for nylon, cotton, or polyester.

You can also find some recommended best low voc paints here for your bedrooms, nursery, or anywhere you're deciding to do an interior paint job.

Properly Disposing of Paint

Have a paint project coming up? How about some leftover paint that you just don't know what to do with? Even on the labels of the paint can, it isn't usually clearly stated what you should do with your leftover paint. There are a few methods of paint disposal, as well as some information you should know before you make your paint purchases. Read here for more information on paint disposal.