To ask for online orders to be sent in paper packaging instead of plastic envelopes?

[Hattieboomboom]

I do a lot of internet shopping and the packaging generates So much bloody plastic - which I do recycle but what’s wrong with a paper envelope? I don’t get it. Children’s books for example - often from amazon resellers so not pristine anyway - the spines and corners do not need protecting, really - and I’d be happy to risk them being a little less well protected for the sake of the environment. It just seems that plastic is the norm for sending anything these days - aren’t sorting offices undercover? Are their roofs prone to leaks or something? Anyone else?

Bubble wrap lined envelopes have always been more popular than the equivalently protective corrugated card type, in my experience. So no, plastic packaging isn't new.

But plastic is waterproof and less likely to rip. Much better to send something in a plastic envelope to minimise damage to the item.
You say you're happy to risk a bit of damage, but most people aren't and would prefer their orders arrive intact.

We used to send everything out in very thin recyclable paper based packaging....

Until we got complains that the postie had left it in their "safe place" and it was found soaking wet.

Its the seller who is responsible for damage until the parcel reaches you, so we always use double bagged plastic now.

You can ask, but retailers may not be able to comply. We have a family business and occasionally get requests to not use any plastic packaging to ship an item. This includes packaging tape. What we're shipping is like a metre tall heavy item that does not fit in a paper envelope. We usually wrap and ship in brown paper as it's less waste than a box (item is not easily broken), but we have to use packing tape. To go off on a search for some other sort of specialist packaging materials would literally waste half a day as our closest town is a 30 minute drive away. So frankly it's really annoying and we can't often accommodate people's requests (I sort of figure if they don't like plastic packaging, maybe just buying local and saving on the extra carbon of getting something shipped to them is probably a better option). But there's also no harm in asking as long as you're polite about it and understand that it may not be possible. We do try to be accommodating whenever possible.

I used to run a small business - mostly cosmetics (so small items) we'd use cardboard boxes or parcel wrap. The latter would still use tape but obviously less than the 3' of plastic everything seems to be wrapped in these days.
Unfortunately we got a lot of complaints - not due to damaged items but because people found it easier to get things in plastic packing bags or Jiffy bags and thought it looked cleaner/neater, would contain a spillage etc (spillage happen but it wasn't a common thing and we'd always replace AND refund as an apology for the inconvenience).

Thanks for your replies. I was expecting lots of other people to feel the same as I do. It’s a bit depressing really as I thought the tide was turning and so many people (so I thought) are trying to reduce use of plastic bags etc. Good point about shopping local though - I shouldn’t expect to have my cake and eat it. However I do think other people should be prepared to make a few sacrifices (I am definitely a bit 🤔 at people wanting plastic as it looks cleaner / neater!)

I know there are a lot of people who will not however. We have become so accustomed to having what we want and certain standards, and it is destroying the planet. So I guess it won’t change until industry develops acceptable alternatives. I live in hope.