The Best Eco-Friendly Packing Supplies

Eco Friendly

Packing Materials for Self-Storage in Cincinnati

There are many options for eco-friendly packing materials, some of which you probably use already.

Cardboard Boxes

Look for cardboard boxes made from recycled materials. Cardboard is one of the easiest materials to recycle and reuse. Around half of all cardboard boxes are made from recycled materials. As many as 93% of cardboard boxes are recycled. So, if you want an eco-friendly packing material, cardboard boxes are the way to go when stacking items in storage. Corrugated cardboard is one of the strongest box materials out there. It has a heavy weight and is known for durability through packing and long-term storage.

Biodegradable Packing Peanuts

Traditional packing peanuts are made from some form of polystyrene. They make those annoying squeaking sounds when you rub them together. However, there are biodegradable packing peanuts made of starch as an eco-friendly alternative. (They’re technically edible, but don’t eat them!) The trick to biodegradable packing peanuts is to keep them dry. Once they get wet, the starch fibers break down, turn to mush, and can be composted. However, they can easily fill in a box to keep things inside from moving around. Starch-based packing peanuts are competitively priced versus polystyrene versions.

Recycled Paper

Paper is another eco-friendly packing material. Two-thirds of all paper is recycled. 80% of U.S. paper mills use some kind of recycled materials when manufacturing their products. It’s easy to use paper as a packing material. You can take one sheet at a time and crumple it up. There are some products out there that are made specifically for packing materials. Look for wadding rolls that are made to be wadded up into paper balls or to surround fragile objects.

Cushioning Items in Boxes

The cushioning in boxes keeps your items safe during transport and in storage. It can also be used as a packing material to fill the empty spaces in a box.

Corrugated Bubble Wrap

Look for corrugated bubble wrap in large sheets. Corrugated bubble wrap features a layer of standard bubble wrap in between two sheets of corrugated kraft paper sheets.This design distributes impact forces over a larger area, keeping fragile items more secure. Bubbles of air also provide an insulating layer if you need to protect something from extreme temperatures.

Bagged Air or Air Pillows

Invest in bagged air or air pillows to cushion your lightweight items. There are several reasons why bagged air is eco-friendly. First, it uses fewer materials than, say, bubble wrap or even kraft paper. Second, eco-friendly bagged air can be made from recycled plastic. These materials are also very lightweight, making it easier for you to transport your items. Some manufacturers create air pillows with biodegradable starch film, so make sure not to get these items wet. Bagged air can be very durable and last a long time.

Mushroom Packaging

Mushroom packaging represents an eco-friendly, biodegradable alternative to traditional plastic or foam packaging. It is made from mycelium, the root structure of fungi, and agricultural waste like corn husks or hemp stalks. This material naturally decomposes at some point, and it’s fully compostable. This eco-friendly packaging is used as a replacement for polystyrene in shipping boxes for electronics, glassware, and furniture. It’s a plant-based alternative if you want to invest in an eco-friendly product.

Packing Tape & Labels

Surprisingly, packing tape can be eco-friendly, depending on which one you select for self-storage in Cincinnati. There are many types of labels made of green materials.

Environmentally Friendly Packing Tape

Eco-friendly packing tape has one sticky side and is produced with paper, plant-based fibers, or cellulose instead of petroleum-based plastic. (The petroleum-based plastic is why traditional packing tape has its distinctive smell.)Some packing tape uses water-activated starch-based or natural rubber adhesives instead of synthetic glues, making them safer for the environment.Common materials of eco-friendly packing tape include:
  • Kraft paper is a strong, recyclable material, often reinforced with plant-based fibers.
  • Cellulose is a biodegradable, plant-derived alternative to plastic.
  • Water-activated adhesives, such as starch-based glue, form a bond when moistened.
  • Natural rubber adhesives that come from rubber trees offer strong adhesion without harmful chemicals.

Eco-Friendly Labels

There are a few ways to go with green labels. You can go with paper made from recycled materials, plant-based adhesives, and plant-based inks if you plan to print labels.See this list of eco-friendly labels to use as you mark your items for storage:
  • Recycled paper labels are made from post-consumer recycled paper. Look for ones made from more than 50% post-consumer recycled paper to get the most benefit.
  • Kraft paper labels are made from unbleached paper and are often FSC-certified. Kraft paper is compostable.
  • Sugarcane fiber labels come from a byproduct of sugarcane processing called bagasse. It’s a tree-free product that’s biodegradable and compostable.
  • Hemp paper labels are made from hemp, which grows faster and needs fewer water resources than trees.
  • Grass paper labels come from dried grass fibers mixed with recycled paper. It needs less water to harvest.
  • Compostable film labels, or PLA labels, are derived from cornstarch or sugarcane and are fully compostable in industrial facilities.
  • Water-soluble starch labels are made of dissolvable materials that dissolve when they get wet, much like starch packing peanuts.

Reusable Packing Supplies

Consider durable and reusable packing materials that you can use over and over again that you’ll never need to throw away. Think about these items for long-term storage needs. If you keep them in the right shape, these items can last for decades.
  • Corrugated plastic boxes, much like you see in warehouses and post offices, are water-resistant and can be used many times before you recycle them.
  • Wooden crates are sturdy and long-lasting. You can break them down to use them for other projects like furniture, decor, or fireplace fuel.
  • Bubble wrap is eco-friendly in the sense that it is reusable over and over again, so long as the bubbles don’t pop. You can purchase types of bubble wrap made of fabric that has refillable bubbles. Look for bubble wrap made from recycled plastic.
  • Velcro or snap-closure straps offer an alternative to single-use tape. Straps can be re-used for as long as you need them.

Sustainable Wrapping Materials

Wrapping materials are designed to fit snugly around fragile items, either inside or outside of boxes. Wrapping an object serves as another layer of protection for items aside from filler material that prevents things from moving around in a box.

Recycled Kraft Paper

Kraft paper is unbleached paper, meaning there are fewer chemicals used in the manufacturing process. The distinctive brown color sets it apart from other kinds of paper, and it can be made from recycled materials. Kraft paper can be recycled after you finish using it.

Cloth Wrapping

Consider using cloth wrapping, which can be used many times. There are options for thin cloth made from recycled materials, similar to recyclable gift wrap or sari material.

Biodegradable Plastic Wrap

Some mainstream brands offer plant-based, biodegradable plastic wraps. Similar to cling wrap, these items are made either from partially or entirely plant-based materials. The goal of this plastic wrap is to break down in a landfill or a compost pile. Wrapping items in plastic wrap offers an extra layer of protection. It can also be used to keep several smaller boxes or items together.

Upcycled Packing Solutions

Upcycling is when you reuse something you would ordinarily discard and make it into something practical or decorative.

Old Linens

Do you have any old T-shirts, towels, or blankets? Use these to wrap fragile items, furniture, glass items, wooden legs, and mirrors. Old linens can last for a very long time while providing extra protection against scratches.Smaller linens can also serve as packing material to protect fragile items inside of boxes. Consider balling up socks or T-shirts to create filler material. Make sure to clean the linens before placing them inside boxes or tubs. Make sure the boxes or tubs are sealed and secure.

Belts

If you don’t want to use straps as an alternative to tape, old belts do the trick. Consider lashing multiple belts together for larger items. Make the belts tight so the boxes remain secure and closed.

Talk to Us About Self-Storage in Cincinnati

Circle Storage has eight convenient locations throughout the Greater Cincinnati area for your furniture storage needs. Feel free to contact us or call the closest facility to you to find out what we have available. We’re one of Cincinnati’s largest independently owned and operated self-storage companies.