How to Replace Single-Use Plastics in Print Campaigns

Single-use plastics harm the environment by not decomposing naturally, polluting oceans and landfills, and contributing to greenhouse gas emissions. Companies are increasingly committed to reducing plastic waste through recycled materials and minimal packaging.

Here are our top tips for replacing single-use plastics in print campaigns:

1. Audit your Plastic: Switch to recyclable materials

   There are many instances where plastic items can be replaced by more eco-friendly materials, such as cardboard. For example, we worked closely with a national charity to audit all their training materials to reduce the amount of plastic. One of the items included replacing their plastic training folders with printed cardboard folders.

   Action item:

   List items used in your business and research greener alternatives.

   
   
   
   
   
   

2. Support Sustainable Mailing Alternatives to Jiffy Bags

   Jiffy bags are widely used by e-commerce companies to protect items when delivering them to consumers.  However, many jiffy bags can’t be recycled as they are made from composite materials, such as paper, plastic and other filler materials like bubble wrap.  So, what’s the alternative?  Cardboard mailing boxes!  They’re fully recyclable, durable, and can also be branded with your logos and messages.

   Action item:

   Contact companies for quotes on cardboard mailing boxes.

   Blackmore has a packaging quote form here
   

   

   Example of a card-based mailer

3. Reconsider your Packaging Design

   Some gift boxes or retail boxes can include plastic windows so that the products can be seen through the packaging. Why not consider reducing the size of the aperture and omitting the plastic? Or, instead of showing the product through the plastic window, you could include graphics of the product on the outside of the box instead and remove the window altogether. Your box is now recyclable by omitting the plastic!

   Action Item:

   Carry out an audit of your packaging designs to see where you can omit the use of plastic.

   
   
   
   

   

   Example of a product box without a plastic window

   
   

4. Replace Lamination with Water-based Coatings

   This one’s a game changer! There is now a new alternative to adding lamination (a thin layer of single-use plastic, that can’t be recycled) to your printed items: in-line coatings. These new eco-friendly barriers are water-based, recyclable and biodegradable and provide a more environmentally friendly way of creating an oil-proof or water-proof barrier to your printed items.

   Action item:

   Research printers that offer in-line coatings, as they are not widely available yet. Don’t forget to add Blackmore to your contact list!
   

   
   

   

   We applied an inline water-based, food-safe, and oil-proof barrier coating to the sheets on which the meats sit.

   
   

5. Swap Polythene Wraps with Starch-based Alternatives

   Instead of wrapping items such as magazines and mailing them out in a polythene wrap, there is also a potato starch alternative. Or you could consider mailing them out without any wrap at all. For example, these recyclable and home-compostable Bioplast wraps, made from potato starch waste, can have logos and notes added to the carrier sheet.

   Action item:

   Research cornstarch packaging.

In summary, this article provides practical tips for replacing single-use plastics in print campaigns, including switching to recyclable materials, using sustainable mailing alternatives, reconsidering packaging designs, adopting water-based coatings, and opting for starch-based wraps. By implementing these strategies, businesses can significantly reduce their environmental impact and contribute to a more sustainable future.

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Did you know? Blackmore offers a free sustainable consultation service, advising businesses of greener print solutions and suggesting more sustainable ways to print all their items. Contact us for more information

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