Circular Packaging Swaps to Help Your Small Business Stay On-Brand (Take a Quiz!)

noissue Recycled Mailers by @skylargrace_co

For small and medium-sized businesses, becoming eco-friendly can seem a bit intimidating at first. There often doesn’t feel like there are enough options that keep the planet in mind. But don’t sweat it, that’s what we’re here for! noissue is your one-stop shop in making sustainability on-brand for your business.

What if we told you that there are sustainable solutions for your traditional packaging and shipping methods, and they don’t have to eat up your budget or sacrifice on aesthetics? While it might seem too good to be true, sustainability is made so much more achievable through circular solutions made from eco-friendly packaging materials. Compostable, reusable, and recyclable packaging and shipping are just as able in creating unforgettable customer experiences, but further help build your brand as one that’s people and planet-forward.

When businesses use circular packaging materials, you’re signaling to your customers that you’re investing in the quality of your unboxing experience without compromising our environment’s health. By using custom and circular packaging, you’re establishing your business and elevating your brand as a conscious cut above the rest!

What makes noissue products circular?

We design our products within a framework of circularity to ensure that packaging materials are sustainable by design. noissue products fall under these categories that help lessen brands’ impact on the planet:

• Reusable
• Compostable
• Recyclable

Packaging that’s reusable, compostable, or recyclable keeps waste out of landfills and adds plenty of value to your customer’s unboxing experience. Whether they can repurpose or sustainably dispose of it, buyers are sure to be smitten with the thoughtfulness and quality of your brand’s earth-friendly packaging!

A quick tip: the difference between biodegradable vs. compostable materials

Short science lesson, incoming! To understand how to properly dispose of noissue’s compostable products, it’s important to understand what makes them compostable in the first place.

Compostable packaging, like eco-friendly tissue paper and plant-based (PLA) mailers, is often created out of organic materials mixed with other ingredients to help it all break down. Compostable products also contain ingredients with added benefits for soil fertilization and health.

On the other hand, biodegradable refers to organic and non-organic materials that are known to break down and decompose. Usually, biodegradable products take much longer to be disposed of, whereas compostable packaging typically breaks down in 90 days.

See which circular framework your brand’s packaging should use!

Not sure where to start with making the switch to more sustainable solutions? Firstly, you’ll want to think about your customer’s needs and which framework would fit their lifestyle best. Then, consider what packaging protections or flexibility your product might benefit from. Don’t forget to include your branding to build up a strong brand presence and make your customer experience even more personalized.

Take our quiz below to find out whether your brand should use compostable, reusable, or recyclable packaging – or all three!

What were your results? Feel free to return to this quiz every time you conduct a packaging audit for your brand – as your business grows, so will your customers and their unique needs.

Now that we’ve got the basics covered, here are some creative, circular packaging swaps that make a stylish splash!

1. Make a fantastic first impression with eco-friendly exterior packaging

It’s what’s on the outside that counts just as much as the inside! A great way to start making the sustainable switch is to go with eco-friendly boxes for shipping and storing products. Recycled boxes renew previously used materials and give them another life in circulation, so you won’t be generating any new waste with your outer packaging. These eco-friendly boxes will keep your orders safe and sound during shipping due to their durable E-flute construction and can be recycled curbside for easy disposal.

Your customers will feel good knowing that their package is kind to the earth as soon as it arrives at their doorsteps! For a completely conscious packaging set to impress, add eco-friendly labels for shipping and custom packaging tape or stickers to seal everything together.

2. Fill package void with custom, eco-friendly tissue paper

Empty packaging void can be frustrating to fill without immediately thinking of methods that hurt the environment. Styrofoam packing peanuts and plastic wrap, for example, do more harm than we think, since they’re made from materials that cannot be completely disposed of. Your best bet in filling those blank spaces can be found in packaging options that uplevel the unboxing experience without comprising the earth! Eco-friendly tissue paper can wrap your products and layer atop each other to prevent pesky movement during shipment.

Turning your logo into a repeating pattern on tissue wrapping paper effortlessly strengthens your branding! When all are opened and unboxed, your customers can either repurpose or compost their tissue packaging at home. Serve up the sophistication on tissue paper that’s as chic and sustainable as your brand.

3. Swap non-disposable mailers for ones made from recycled and circular materials

Non-renewable poly mailers are a major culprit found cluttering landfills – not to mention, they’re not helpful in making a memorable customer experience. Instead of drowning in a sea of plastic, turn to poly mailers made from plant-based (PLA) alternatives or recycled materials!

PLA poly mailers are typically created from fully biodegradable components, like cornstarch, making them ideal for composting at home. Flexible mailers and bubble mailers made from 100% recycled, non-virgin plastics ensure that materials are kept in circulation, extending their life and avoiding the generation of new waste. Circular mailers are equally as reliable as their traditional counterparts, but do more in building your brand as a conscious business (and look pretty neat, to boot!)

4. Protect products in reusable, personalized tote bags that amp up your branding

Who doesn’t love something that’s dual-purpose? Personalized tote bags do double-duty for your brand by protecting your products and prolonging the branded experience! Reusable custom tote bags are a luxurious upgrade from single-use plastic packaging.

When your totes are made out of 100% GOTS-certified cotton and printed with eco-friendly inks, customers will know to trust your brand in giving them a delightful and dependable experience. Nothing beats seeing a customer rock your logo beyond the initial unboxing for day-to-day use!

5. Include fine details that don’t generate excess waste

Don’t sweat the small stuff – they can be made sustainable, as well! For finer details like clothing hang tags, packaging tape, and branded stickers, noissue’s got you covered with compostable, branded packaging options.

Compostable hang tags made from recycled paper will set you apart as a company that cares about your environmental impact. You can even include specific sustainability education on them to inform your customers of proper packaging disposal! Top your product packaging off with finishing touches such as compostable paper stickers, a custom logo ink stamp, and eco-friendly gummed tape that can all break down in just 90 days.

While these packaging materials disappear from the earth after breaking down, making a positive impression on your customers will last your brand a long time!

6. Don’t forget a branded thank you card that’ll stay out of landfills!

Finally, you can’t wrap up a memorable customer interaction without saying proper thanks! Your customers are your biggest supporters, after all. While thank you cards are a sincere way to show your appreciation, they can often end up as waste if they’re made from non-renewable materials. That’s why recycled and compostable paper cards are the way to go in gifting gratitude!

A card made from FSC-certified recycled paper extends the lifespan of old materials that would otherwise leave a negative impact on the earth. Since noissue Cards are printed with non-toxic inks, customers can choose to recycle or compost your brand’s thank you card without guilt. A custom design that’s unique to your brand makes for a captivating card that’s also as conscious as they come.

Did you know that you can create a double-sided design for your noissue Card? Let your creativity loose to thank your brand’s number one fans!

🎁 That’s a Wrap!

We hope this was helpful in inspiring you to make the sustainable switch! Circular packaging that’s made from eco-friendly materials has become more than just a trend. It’s here to stay, and customers can’t get enough of packaging that looks, feels, and does good!

Make a statement with circular packaging that lets customers know your brand is serious in providing an unforgettably creative and eco-conscious customer experience. No need to compromise your branding or aesthetics, either – noissue’s custom and circular packaging can do it all! Bring your brand to the top with packaging that wins across all boards.

Need reliable packaging that shows off your branding and stays out of landfills? Check out our line of packaging and shipping solutions and put your brand’s best foot forward! We’ve got you covered on anything-but-plain packaging essentials, like stickers and tape, to personalized upgrades with cotton totes, custom gift boxes, and more. If you’re looking to create your brand’s custom packaging in large quantities, head to our noissue Plus page!