Sustainable Packaging Materials

Basics

• This page aims to lay out Packaging Materials that are sustainable
• These are more ideal than more conventional materials used, especially for OSE Products
• Long term Decentralized OS Production would be nice, but in the near term it is likely a matter of Inventory + Buying them Off The Shelf
• Using “Nice Packaging” could also allow for it to be used as Long Term Storage etc/kept for later resale rather than immediately disposed of, this is worth considering

Materials List

Boxes

• Cardboard / Corrugated Containerboard is largely already quite a regulated + recycling heavy industry
• Either way just checking for SFC / Other Ecolabels is all that is needed really
• Certain Coated Paper Products should be avoided if able though
• Also for certain things such as Pizza Boxes , enhanced recyclability cam be done via addition of Wax Paper or some means of preventing the Cardboard from becoming too contaminated
• All in all though even in Paper Shredder - shreddings, or in a Paper Brick , Cardboard makes GREAT RDF so Product End of Life is easy to manage

Cushioning

• Paper Cushioning / Expanded Cardboard may sufffice for lower shock load shipments/well fitted boxes etc
• Starch Packing Peanuts can be used for more intensive packing jobs/for Bulk Fill
• Moulded Pulp Inserts can work as well, although these will require mold production
• Mycelium Foam / Molded Mycellium is an emerging market, but not easily available COTS as of now
• While “dirty”, Sawdust , Wood Wool , or Paper Shreddings also make a somewhat shock adsorbing Bulk Fill Option

Desiccants

• Silica Gel is the Industry Standard
  • If reused for Filament Drying / a Desicant Dehumidifier etc it isn’t a COMPLETE waste
• Desiccants that would require Calcination to “recharge” should be avoided if possible
• Synthetic, ESPECIALLY Non-Biodegradable/ Fluropolymer based Sachets should be avoided as well

Labels

• Optimizing for Laser Engraving or Print on Packaging Labeling (with Sustainable Ink ) over Adhesive Stickers reduces waste and “stickies” in shredders/recycling processes downstream
  • Also should save money/aid in automation

Mailers

• Paper Mailers instead of LDPE Bags if possible (Are Wax Paper Mailers available?)
• Use of Non-Polystyrene Padding in Padded Mailers is also advisable, as Mixed Materials are hard to sort

Smart Packaging

• Reusable Trackers/Shock Indicators are preferable to Single Use/Disposable Devices
• A Deposit and Return ecosystem may be in order for these

Tape

• Short of potentially Cellophane most Tapes are Plastic Based
• Using Refilable Dispensers, and Reducing where tape is used help
• Also Tape can Jam Shredders and Related Machinery, so reducing it’s use aids Product End of Life