With the excitement of Christmas and New year behind us, it’s time now to look ahead and think of new, sustainable habits we can implement in 2023. 

Ecommerce has been on the rise for as long as we can remember and as we know, goods bought electronically require significantly more protective packaging than those bought in-store due to the journey they take to reach customers. 

A collective shift in consumer attitudes towards eco-conscious lifestyles in wake of the planet’s environmental crisis, now more than ever, also means they expect social responsibility from the businesses they deal with. As packaging is the first impression you make on a customer, it’s the perfect starting point for integrating sustainability into your business and letting your customers know your interests align with theirs.

To make the job easier and help you get started, we have carefully curated a selection of sustainable products you can integrate into your operation. 

Have you considered integrating shredders into your operation? 

Recycle your cardboard waste – even the heavy-duty stuff –  using our shredders for reliable inhouse void fill production that is available for use within seconds. Your throwaway cardboard is instantly transformed into shock absorbent pads with, often, greater protective strength than plastic alternatives such as bubble wrap. 

This one-off investment is a long term solution that will provide you with years of free packaging, helping you to not only save money, but also reduce your impact on the environment and thus, your carbon footprint. What’s more, with our shredders, you will no longer have to stock bulky rolls of bubble wrap or other voluminous packaging products, which means you can use the extra space to stock pile more of your goods to upscale your operation. 

Why not explore our range of shredders to see what best suits your needs. After all, it’s an effective solution which will save the planet and your bank account.

How about using paper void fill dispensing systems? 

The most advanced Speedman model yet, the Speedman Flex offers next generation automation in the paper void category which will aid the fast-functioning of any pick, pack and despatch operation. Dispensing void fill made from 100% recycled paper, the Speedman Flex provides an eco-friendly alternative to polluting forms of packaging and can also be recycled kerbside by the end user for easy disposal, perfectly exemplary of a smoothly functioning circular economy. 

It’s sister system, the Paperjet Fit, similarly transforms recycled paper into extra-strong, embossed padding to be used as cushioning protection within packages. Paperjet Fit provides more than just environmental benefits, however, with its compact nature allowing ergonomic adaptation into existing pack stations without having to change a thing. Simply, set it up and begin using without any faff! Choose from a selection of functions depending on your needs and guess what, you don’t have to worry about paper jams as this system is designed to be free of them!

Sustainable solutions for smaller businesses 

Time is money, right? Well, if you run a small business – maybe out of your home – you will know that space is money and the better you use yours the greater the profit you will make out of it. While the abovementioned space-conserving systems can be used for void fill, they are designed for businesses with large outputs. If you run a smaller operation you will benefit more from our compact Speedman box and Hivewrap box.  

Ideal for low-volume users looking for a ‘starter solution’ within protective packaging, this manual Speedman system offers an array of benefits. Environmentally-friendly thanks to the recycled paper it uses, the Speedman box is great for those looking to switch to a more sustainable product. It comes ready to use, simply tear off the scored panel and pull paper through for instant, eco-friendly void fill. Once finished, the box can also be recycled so there is no harmful waste left behind, allowing you to have a clear conscience and a better relationship with your eco-conscious customers. It is also compact and can be carried to wherever packing is taking place, offering convenience.

A Kite innovation, the hivewrap box similarly dispenses paper packaging to be used for wrapping and interleaving. Hive-shaped cells within the paper expand and interlock to provide effective shock absorption and protection when pulled through the dispenser and wrapped around products. Thanks to this, the need for tape is made redundant, offering cost-effectivity and removing the need for a plastic-based adhesion. The hivewrap box is entirely biodegradable and kerbside recyclable, aiding sustainable disposal and enhancing overall end customer satisfaction with purchases. FSC approved, the hivewrap box integrates sustainability into the start and end of its life. It doesn't get any better than this!

For those looking to operate sustainably, these two products offer great benefits with eco-credentials which will be instantly recognisable to your customers.  

Paper document wallets: a welcome alternative to the plastic kind 

Made entirely from paper, these wallets have been consciously designed to offer a sustainable option for the function of displaying delivery documents, invoices and any other notes. Although they are not entirely clear like the plastic kind, these wallets have an incredible amount of translucency, offering the same level of convenience and functionality. Documents can be read just as easily and bar codes can be scanned with the same ease. 

Kite’s paper document wallets are widely kerbside recyclable, offering uncomplicated and responsible disposal without the need to remove from shipping boxes. Your customers can put these straight into their recycling bins thanks to the clearly visible 100% recyclable markings.