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Shipping

Browse swaps in this category, plus practical guidance for picking better options.

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Shipping swaps target packaging waste: bubble wrap, air pillows, peanuts, and tape. The best option often depends on whether you're a shipper or a receiver.

If you receive packaging, reuse it first. Reuse typically beats buying new alternatives.

What to look for
  • Reuse packaging materials you already have before buying replacements.
  • Choose paper-based padding that can be recycled locally, and keep it dry.
  • For tape, consider paper tape for cardboard boxes when it meets strength needs.
Watch out for
  • “Biodegradable” plastics that don't break down in typical disposal pathways.
  • Packaging that contaminates recycling streams (e.g., mixed materials stuck together).