Entries by Catherine

Is Next-day Delivery a Cause of Packaging Waste?

One of the appeals of online shopping is convenience. You can browse at leisure and then request next-day or even same-day delivery at the checkout. Yet, could our expectation of a fast shipping service be a cause of packaging waste? Speedy Delivery Leads to Packaging Waste In a recent radio interview, Andy Barnetson, Director of […]

Unpacking Circular Thinking

The issues with global reliance on linear supply chains have come to the fore. Our dependency on Russian gas, Chinese microchips and Ukrainian sunflower oil has increased the impact of global economic and political situations. We face shortages, long lead times and steep price increases as a result of these, and other, supply chain disruptions. […]

Plastic to Paper Packaging: Sweet Wrappers

One of the early signs that the festive season is approaching is shelves stocked with boxes of Quality Street. This iconic confectionery is a family favourite in many households, but the contents will look a little different this Christmas. Described by producers, Nestle, as a box of jewels, each Quality Street chocolate has been enclosed […]

A Squeeze on Toothpaste Packaging

We’re usually promoting the use of cardboard packaging, but not in this article! As part of the long-term strategy to reduce packaging waste, Tesco is on a mission to remove any unnecessary packaging. Last year, they removed the cardboard boxes from their own brand of toothpaste. This move reportedly saved 55 tonnes of packaging, without […]

Removing Packaging Labels to Cut Waste

Packaging labels are designed to inform consumers, however, sometimes we are better off without them. As leading supermarkets take action to remove Best Before dates from product packaging, what are the environmental and financial benefits? Action to Reduce Food Waste This month, over 100 of Sainsbury’s product ranges will no longer include a Best Before […]

Is Organic Worth the Extra Cost?

Nature Would Chose Organic is the slogan for Organic September, but why? What makes a product organic and is it worth the extra cost? Sustainable Production Food, beauty products and textiles can all be certified organic, but what does this mean? To gain organic certification, the entire production process has to adhere to strict standards. […]

Corrugated Cardboard for Flourishing Flower Beds

We’re used to supplying cardboard for flower boxes and plug plants, but could this corrugated cardboard prove to be a useful resource for gardening? Corrugated Cardboard for Garden Weed Control A recent article in Home & Garden* hails corrugated cardboard as an ideal material for suppressing weeds. It states that this common and widely available […]

Where Can I Get Packaging Inspiration?

The majority of businesses use packaging regularly, but it is rarely the area in which their expertise lies. From shelf appeal and standing e-commerce brands apart, to product protection and minimising returns, packaging plays a vital role in brand success, so where can you go for packaging inspiration and advice? Visit London Packaging Week One […]

Social Commerce: Ticking the Boxes for Online Shoppers

The rise of e-commerce is no secret, with consumers loving the convenience and choice offered when online shopping. However, there is one area where the growth rate is especially rapid; social commerce. What is this and why should online retailers get on board? What is Social Commerce? Social commerce is buying and selling within a […]

Do Standard or Bespoke Boxes Lower Carbon Footprint?

In a search for cheap packaging, a standard stock cardboard box will typically have the lowest unit price. However, opting for bespoke boxes, designed to best fit your products, can lower the financial and environmental costs of shipping e-commerce orders. Stop Sending Air & Reduce Packaging Waste The issue of packaging waste is well documented, […]

Cardboard Boxes & Sticky Tape: Summer Fun

For many parents, the novelty of the summer holidays may already be wearing thin. There is pressure to keep children happy and entertained, yet a childhood expert from Middlesex University is championing junk modelling with cardboard boxes and sticky tape. We’re all for creating bespoke boxes, so let’s find out more! Holiday Activity Ideas: Junk […]

How to Reduce Plastic Packaging Use

Plastic-free July might be over, but the need to reduce our reliance on plastic packaging remains. Collectively, the UK population disposes of 2 million metric tonnes of plastic waste a year. The majority of this is not recycled. Eliminating single-use plastic is tough, however, committing to a couple of swaps could reduce the volume of […]

Paper-based Packaging & The Circular Economy

The latest CEPI data reveals that both the demand for and the recycling rates of, paper-based packaging rose in 2021. What was driving these trends? Demand for Paper-based Packaging The demand for paper-based packaging was primarily due to two key factors: A rapid shift towards e-commerce during the pandemic, which has remained buoyant, even when […]

Is Edible Packaging on the Menu?

It’s plastic-free July and we are exploring viable and sustainable packaging materials. The challenge with plastic packaging is the volume of waste that ends up in landfill, clogs our rivers and oceans or is discarded as litter. Could edible packaging provide the solution? Discover More About Notpla Notpla is a company that is developing packaging […]