Earth Day 2023: How Your Business Can Invest in Our Planet

Earth Day may only come once a year, but businesses can #InvestInOurPlanet for the remaining 364 days by adopting sustainable practices and products that support a more equitable, prosperous green economy.

This year's Earth Day theme focuses on encouraging governments, organizations, businesses, and over 1 billion citizens—everyone accounted for, and everyone accountable—to help create a more eco-friendly world by:

Acting (boldly)

Innovating (broadly)

Implementing (equitably)

One method businesses can use to support the green movement is to switch to sustainable packaging products. Many companies already have: in fact, the sustainable packaging market is projected to surpass $533.9 million by 2023, indicating that green packaging is here to stay.

Learn more about sustainable packaging and the environmentally friendly (and cost-effective!) wholesale packaging supplies you can use instead.

What is Sustainable Packaging?

Sustainable packaging is packaging designed with materials that have a minimal impact on the environment, reducing waste, promoting recycling, and decreasing the use of non-renewable resources.

Sustainable packaging can take many forms, including:

Biodegradable and compostable materials

Recycled or upcycled materials

Reusable or refillable containers

Reducing the amount of packaging used

Minimizing energy required for production and transportation

Ensuring that packaging can be easily recycled or disposed of in a responsible way

In addition to supporting a healthier environment, sustainable packaging can positively impact brand reputations. Companies that adopt sustainable packaging practices can differentiate themselves from competitors and demonstrate their commitment to environmental responsibility, which can increase customer loyalty and attract environmentally conscious consumers.

Sustainable packaging is a critical step toward a more sustainable future. By reducing waste, conserving resources, and minimizing environmental impact, sustainable packaging can help create a greener, more resilient global economy.

The Best Sustainable Packaging Supplies

Linear Low-Density Polyethylene Plastics (LLDPE)

Linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) film is a highly versatile material that offers a range of benefits for many applications. From packaging to construction, LLDPE film is popular for its unique properties and practical benefits.

The Benefits of Switching to LLDPE Plastic

1.) Excellent Strength and Durability

One of the primary benefits of LLDPE film is its strength and durability. LLDPE has a higher tensile strength than other polyethylene films, which makes it ideal for applications that require resistance to tearing, punctures, and abrasions.

2.) Flexibility

LLDPE film is highly flexible, which makes it an ideal choice for applications that require conformability and ease of use. Its flexibility makes it an excellent material for use in applications requiring stretchability, such as pallet wrapping or shrink wrapping.

LLDPE film easily stretches to conform to the object being wrapped to provide a secure and tight seal.

3.) Resistance to Chemicals and Moisture

Another significant benefit of LLDPE film is its resistance to chemicals and moisture. LLDPE film is highly resistant to various chemicals, including acids, bases, and solvents. Its exceptional moisture resistance makes it an ideal choice for applications that require protection against moisture damage.

4.) Cost-Effective

LLDPE film is an affordable and cost-effective material. Compared to other films, LLDPE is less expensive to produce, which makes it a popular choice for manufacturers and businesses looking to reduce costs without sacrificing quality.

Additionally, LLDPE film is highly efficient and requires less material to achieve the same strength and durability as other films, which helps reduce waste and lower costs further.

5.) Versatility

LLDPE film is highly versatile for a wide range of applications. From packaging to construction, LLDPE film is popular for its unique properties and practical benefits. It is commonly used in the agriculture, food and beverage, automotive, and medical industries.

Trinity’s Full Line of Biodegradable LLDPE Products

At Trinity, we offer a range of truly biodegradable packaging products made with organic additives that do not create microplastics but break them down into inorganic humus.

Our biodegradable LLDPE products include:

Bags on rolls

Bubble-out bags

Centerfold bags

Centerfold sheeting

Gusseted & flat bags

Gusseted tubing

Perforated sheets

Separated bags

Single-wound sheeting

Stretch film

Tubing

Unlike traditional polylactic acid (PLA) or “biodegradable” products that are actually oxo-degradable, our products do not require heat, light, or oxygen to biodegrade.

Not only does our biodegradable plastic packaging reduce environmental impact, but it is priced competitively compared to traditional plastics.

Get in touch with one of our packaging experts today to see how our biodegradable LLDPE products can help you save money while supporting your sustainability initiatives.

Recycled Pallets

Let’s face it: Pallets make the shipping world go ‘round.

While you may be tempted to buy all new pallets for each shipment, using recycled pallets is a great way to promote sustainable practices and demonstrate your commitment to reducing environmental impact while saving money.

Recycled Pallet Benefits

1.) Conserve Natural Resources

One of the main benefits of using recycled pallets is that it helps conserve natural resources. Using already-manufactured pallets avoids cutting down trees and other raw materials to make new pallets, reducing our overall environmental impact.

2.) Leave the Landfills Behind

Recycled pallets can also help reduce waste. Many pallets are discarded after just one use, which can result in a significant amount of waste. By recycling pallets, you can reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills and help promote a more sustainable approach to resource management.

Added Savings

Recycled pallets are also often more cost-effective than new pallets. Because they are already manufactured, recycled pallets are often available at a lower cost than new pallets, which is especially beneficial for businesses needing to purchase large quantities of pallets for shipping and storage purposes.

4.)Bonus: Generate Revenue from Your Broken Pallets

Through Trinity’s National Pallet Buyback Program, you can make money on your broken pallets while saving them from an eternity in a landfill.

Just because a pallet is broken doesn't mean it can't be fixed. Most pallets are repairable using their pallet core! At Trinity, we’re committed to zero landfill waste.

Through our Pallet Buyback Program, we repair and resell your pallets. If a pallet is not repairable, we recycle it and turn it into mulch.

Participating in our Pallet Buyback Program helps you:

Stay Ahead of Pallet Shortages: With over 350 pallet yards in our network, you can get new or recycled wood pallets with next-day delivery nearly anywhere in the country. Recycling wood pallets allows us to provide pallet yards with raw materials and repairable pallet cores, creating a consistent and renewable supply of wholesale pallets.

Improve Your Bottom Line: We don't just facilitate wood pallet recycling—we pay you for them! Get rewarded for your commitment to sustainability by selling us back your broken pallets and improving your bottom line.

Air Pillows

At first glance, air pillows may seem like a wasteful and unsustainable packaging option. After all, they are made from plastic. However, there are several reasons why air pillows are a more sustainable void-fill option.

Benefits of Using Air Pillows

1.) They're Lightweight and Efficient

Air pillows require very little material to produce, meaning they have a smaller carbon footprint than other types of packaging materials. Studies have shown that air pillows can be up to 90% more efficient than other types of packaging materials, such as foam or paper.

2.) Reusable Cushioning? Yes, Please!

In addition to their efficiency, air pillows are reusable and recyclable. Many air pillows are made from recyclable materials, and some manufacturers offer recycling programs to ensure that used air pillows are properly disposed of.

3.) Versatile Void-Fill

Air pillows are useful for various applications. They easily mold to fit around products, making them ideal for cushioning fragile or irregularly shaped items.

4.) Polyethylene Plastic Construction

While traditional plastic isn't so fantastic, air pillows are often made from polyethylene plastic, a relatively low-impact, recyclable plastic that has a lower carbon footprint than other types of plastic.

Kraft Paper

Admit it: You love popping the bubble wrap that protects your online orders. Unfortunately, traditional bubble wrap is made from plastic and is not biodegradable, making it a less-than-ideal option for environmentally conscious companies.

Enter kraft paper.

Kraft paper is constructed from pulp made by cooking wood chips in water, sodium hydroxide, and sodium sulfide during the kraft process. This process breaks down the lignin in the wood, separating the cellulose fibers, which create paper.

Kraft Paper Benefits

1.) It's a Renewable Resource

Kraft paper is made from wood pulp, which is a renewable resource. Since trees can be replanted and grown for future paper production, kraft paper is a more sustainable option compared to materials made from non-renewable resources.

2.) It Biodegrades

Kraft paper is biodegradable and can be easily recycled. When disposed of in the environment, it will break down naturally and not contribute to the accumulation of waste. Additionally, it can be recycled multiple times, reducing the need for virgin materials.

3.) Low Carbon Footprint

The production of kraft paper requires less energy than plastic or metal, and the kraft process used to create it emits fewer greenhouse gases than other papermaking processes.

4.) No Harmful Chemicals

The kraft process is a closed-loop system where the chemicals used are recycled and reused, reducing the amount of waste generated and minimizing its environmental impact. Additionally, kraft paper does not contain harmful chemicals often used in other paper-making processes, such as chlorine or bleach.

Cellulose

Cellulose is a sustainable and versatile material that is found in plant cell walls, giving plants their strength and rigidity. It is the most abundant biopolymer on Earth, and it can be used for a wide range of packaging applications, including:

Paper: Paper is made by breaking down cellulose fibers and then reconstituting them into a sheet. While paper production does require some energy and water, it is a relatively low-impact process compared to other industrial processes. Additionally, paper can be recycled multiple times, reducing the need to harvest new trees.

Textile Production: Cellulose fibers can be spun into threads and woven into fabrics like cotton, rayon, and modal. These fabrics are soft, breathable, and comfortable to wear, and they are often used in clothing and bedding.

Food Packaging: Cellulose-based materials like cellophane and parchment paper are commonly used to wrap and store food products. Many food manufacturers are exploring the use of cellulose-based materials as an alternative to plastic packaging, which would reduce the amount of plastic waste generated by the food industry.

Benefits of Cellulose Packaging

1.) Made from Plants

Cellulose is a renewable resource derived from plant material that can be grown and harvested continuously. This is in contrast to non-renewable resources such as fossil fuels, which are finite and will eventually be depleted. By using cellulose as a raw material, we can reduce our dependence on non-renewable resources and move towards a more sustainable future.

2.) Biodegradable

Unlike synthetic materials like plastic, cellulose biodegrades and does not harm the environment. By using cellulose-based materials instead of plastic, we can reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfills and oceans.

Save Money With Trinity

Are you looking for more sustainable packaging ideas for your business but aren’t sure where to start? Give us a call for a free consultation!

Our packaging experts will study your operations and the products you use to find the most cost-efficient, sustainable, and ergonomic solutions for your business.

In addition to our packaging experts, our supply chain team, led by a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, sets up geographic supplier redundancies to ensure products are always available for our customers.

Contact our experts today at (850) 520-8332 or send us a message to find the best sustainable products for your business.