Drawn by Rhiannon packaging

Packaging design – pretty and easy on the environment

Being kind to the environment is very important to me. Because of this I have recently overhauled my packaging to make it more eco-friendly.

If you’re treating yourself to something, it’s even nicer if it arrives in pretty packaging. This is something that I was really focused on when I started the business. I wanted packaging that was pretty and matched my branding too. I chose to wrap orders in blue tissue paper and then layer over the top with polka dot cellophane.

Tissue paper and cellophane packaging
The polka dot cellophane helped orders to match my branding but it can’t be recycled

I loved the effect this created as it felt like you were unwrapping a present when it arrived. So many customers commented on how much they loved it which was great, but the use of cellophane bugged me as it just ends up in the bin.

Blue polka dot packaging mailing bags
I was really excited when I found mailing bags that matched my branding

I also chose to use blue polka dot mailing bags. They’re so much more exciting to receive than a brown jiffy bag and they can be recycled with plastic carrier bags at supermarkets.
However, I discovered that many customers didn’t have easy access to plastic bag recycling points so the mailing bags were also ending up in the bin.

That is a lot of plastic being wasted!

Time for a change

As lovely as the order looked, I wasn’t happy with the environmental impact of the packaging. The first thing that had to go was the cellophane. I wanted to keep the polka dot effect this gave but in a more eco-friendly way.

Blue polka dot paper bags for packaging
The blue polka dot paper bags are spot on!

When I found these blue polka dot paper bags I was so chuffed! They fit the bill perfectly as they match my branding and they’re still pretty to feel like a treat. Unfortunately they only make these in small sizes so the makeup bags, aprons and beeswax wraps still need something to be wrapped in.

Blue polka dot paper packaging
Lovely blue polka dot paper

After a lot of searching, I finally managed to find some blue polka dot wrapping paper that was recyclable. It looks so lovely but due to costs, it’s not feasible to use as every day packaging.

Wrap it up

Gift wrap option
Choose the gift wrap option at checkout for a special treat!

It is however perfect for using for gift wrap! Check out the video below to see how your order will arrive if you select the gift wrap option at checkout.

This may change slightly throughout the year due to availability, and in December your gift wrap order will be wrapped in Christmas paper!

Christmas gift wrap option
In December you can choose to have your order wrapped in Christmas paper

After a lot of research and consideration, I decided to simply wrap the larger items in tissue paper. Tissue paper is made from 100% recycled paper. There is some discussion over whether it can be recycled again, but it can definitely be reused to wrap your own gifts, or it can be composted.

Tissue paper packaging
Simple tissue paper seems to be the best option for larger items

I’ve also swapped the mailing bags for cardboard mailing boxes which can be recycled at home.

I’m always on the look out for more ways to be eco-friendly so if you have any further suggestions on how to improve my packaging, please let me know by commenting below.

3 thoughts on “Packaging design – pretty and easy on the environment”

  1. Thank you for publishing this awesome article.
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  2. Pingback: Gift wrap - Drawn by Rhiannon - Designed and handmade in the UK

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