Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Climate Change
Original poster

If a (small online) shop asked you to send your packaging bacm - would you?

65 replies

KatyMac · 19/08/2019 21:31

My idea is that if I send an item I have made, in a recycleable plastic envelope and wrapped with cloth inside and an addressed envelope

Then they could return the cloth (& envelope if they want) to me and I would credit £1 back to their account

Then I can re-use the cloth (dispose of the plastic correctly) & they get a refund which will partly cover the postage (£1)

OP posts:
EmpressLesbianInChair · 19/08/2019 21:34

If it was just a question of putting it in the envelope & posting it? Yes, no problem.

ThreeFish · 19/08/2019 21:39

Yes I would

Original poster
KatyMac · 19/08/2019 21:41

I have to work out prepayment envelopes - but I may not be able to afford them

OP posts:
Didiusfalco · 19/08/2019 21:43

I would if it would fit in a standard envelope, be covered by a standard stamp and fit in a standard post box. If I had to queue in the post office for any reason then no.

LemonAddict · 19/08/2019 21:44

No.

I would think the impact of the packaging traveling across the country back to you would probably negate any environmental benefit.

Better to encourage your customers to dispose of the plastic appropriately and find another use for the cloth.

Original poster
KatyMac · 19/08/2019 21:46

Hmm I see weighing envelopes in my future

Maybe it could be an option when I sell and if they tick I send out a prepaid envelope

Tissue paper (apparently) comes from America Hmm

OP posts:
yulet · 19/08/2019 21:54

No. Realistically I'd forget or not bother. I've ended up with so much stuff I meant to return to Amazon because I never got round to it. Never underestimate the lazy and forgetful people out there!

Original poster
KatyMac · 19/08/2019 21:57

@yulet - that's realistic, that's for being honest

OP posts:
londonloves · 19/08/2019 22:03

I haven't done the maths but I expect there's economies of scale within the postal system, if it's something light enough to go in an envelope and not require additional postage (I.e. more than a stamp). So I think this wouldn't negate the plastic waste saving. But yes, people are lazy so you would need to incentivise it.

Pipandmum · 19/08/2019 22:08

No I doubt many people would.

Original poster
KatyMac · 19/08/2019 22:21

The more I think about it, the more offering it as an option when they buy rather than an option later
Then if they tick that box I send a prepay envelope for them to post it home

OP posts:
Stuckforthefourthtime · 19/08/2019 22:23

I work full time and have small kids and barely find the time to post expensive store returns, let alone a piece of cloth. Maybe it would be easier if your target audience would be older and organised people?

Original poster
KatyMac · 19/08/2019 22:30

@Stuckforthefourthtime maybe

or just ask then in advance if they want to?

OP posts:
nocutsnobuttsnococonuts · 19/08/2019 22:32

I would like to say I would, but honestly I'd forget or lose the prepaid envelope or something.

could you make the cloth packaging into something that compliments the item you are selling so they could use it afterwards? e.g. a purse or tote bag?

Sittinonthefloor · 19/08/2019 22:40

No. Also I wouldn’t like to receive something wrapped in a well used cloth.

Original poster
KatyMac · 19/08/2019 22:41

Not without considerable cost - at least i don't think so

Let me ponder.....a dolly bag? in a matching colour? It's a lot of effort/time

OP posts:
Original poster
KatyMac · 19/08/2019 22:42

@Sittinonthefloor you might not buy a dress made out of a tablecloth from the 1950s then either?

OP posts:
StitchingMoss · 19/08/2019 22:43

I agree with PP that your problem is it doesn’t sound terribly hygienic to keep using the same packaging to lots of houses Shock.

PersonaNonGarter · 19/08/2019 22:44

No. This is really wasteful in terms of miles. And totally solipsistic - if I buy something I don’t want an extra chore of sending something back if I can avoid it. I could definitely do without some implied green guilt with my purchases but that might just be me.

Original poster
KatyMac · 19/08/2019 22:44

They are (generally) 100% cotton - they just go in the washing machine when I get them back

OP posts:
Ariela · 19/08/2019 22:47

I'd be more tempted to get some shoppers made with your logo, and send everything out in one. eg
www.everythingbranded.co.uk/promotional-bags/cotton-shopping-bags/jute-shopping-bags

Original poster
KatyMac · 19/08/2019 22:48

So - how do I package them?

What do I use? Tissue paper from USA? Just plastic?

Help me here guys, I really am struggling - single use plastic is bad, airmiles are bad, the UK does not (apparetly) make tissue paper

OP posts:
MonstranceClock · 19/08/2019 22:49

Why wrap it in a cloth at all? Cant it just go in the packaging you send it in?

Original poster
KatyMac · 19/08/2019 22:50

But I am desparately trying not to buy 'new'

What I make is all recycled or re-used

OP posts:
Original poster
KatyMac · 19/08/2019 22:53

When you get something special, would it feel special if you just open the postbag and t's just there - probably crumpled and needing ironing?

I'd wrap in tissue if I could, or present nicely in a cleare plastic bag on a piece of card - but that uses new resources - I want it to arrive nicely looking good but sustainably

Let me think on it over night

OP posts: