My goal as a company is to make on-demand manufacturing the norm for Fish Face Goods. To achieve this, every part of our business model needs to be aligned with our sustainability efforts (check out the post on Buy a Tee, Plant a Tree). This means I’m constantly looking for ways to improve our eco-friendly packaging and eliminate any unnecessary layers. I can do this by partnering with companies that offer environmentally friendly packaging. Printful, the POD (print on demand) company I use, has started using 90-100% PCR plastic mailers for all apparel orders. This change brings Fish Face one step closer to my sustainability goals since recycled content saves raw materials and requires less energy to produce, which is important very important to me and I hope to you.

I Was Already Trying to Go Green With My Packaging

I’ve already been using what I thought was eco-friendly packaging with orders shipped directly from me by using kraft paper and light cardboard envelopes. Despite the many advantages of paper and kraft eco-friendly packaging, it’s not perfect. For example, paper isn’t infinitely recyclable, despite what many people believe. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, paper can be recycled only four to six times before the fibers get too short for quality packaging material. Also, the costs associated with paper packaging continue to rise. If I continue to ship in paper-made materials, I will have to raise my shipping prices by at least 10%!

I also looked into POD companies that offered biodegradable and compostable plastic, which might seem like the obvious choice to many, since it’s made from plant-based materials and would make for compostable packaging. While it looks like regular plastic and has similar qualities, it usually has very different sorting and recycling guidelines. Certain types can have very complicated recycling journeys. Some products made from biodegradable plastic can be composted at home, some need to be composted industrially, and some can even be disposed of along with regular plastic. This makes the recycling process confusing, and I think people will just simply give up and throw these bags in the trash.

So What is PCR Plastic? 

PCR stands for Post-Consumer Recycled material or Post-Consumer Resin. PCR plastic is plastic made from recycled plastic that can be widely recycled and then reprocessed into a resin that can be used to make new packaging. This gives packaging a second life and massively reduces the amount of plastic waste. PCR plastic is a material that can be recycled again after use. You can safely recycle PCR plastic approximately 7-9 times.

I Need Your Help

The new packaging will feature the message “Recycle me again.” I’m hoping this simple message communicates to you the idea that the packaging has been recycled before and it can be recycled again. In most locations, plastic bags don’t belong in everyday recycling bins and need to be taken to a drop-off point, like your nearest grocery store. The new packaging features a QR code, which directs you to a website with the closest drop-off points in your area. I hope that you will get into the habit of saving this bag and then each time you run to the grocery store, you drop it off in the appropriate bin. Together we can make a difference!

Tight Lines,

Troy