We’ve spoken a lot in the past about the many benefits of investing in printed branded merchandise – including market staples like mailing boxes, mailing bags, and custom printed tissue paper. But have you ever considered what happens to these items once they leave your shop or warehouse?
While we do everything we can to make sure the products we supply are sustainable, many of them are designed to be used once. However, there are plenty of things you and your customers can do to keep them out of landfill or save them from being sent down to the recycling centre straightaway.
Here are some handy uses for many of the merch we supply here at Hallmark. Be sure to pass these tips on!
Re-wrap to save cash
Did you know that here in the UK we throw away approximately 83 square kilometres of wrapping paper every single year? Single-use paper is SO wasteful, so it’s no wonder that many eco-conscious customers are choosing to reuse materials wherever they can.
Encourage your customers to collect the branded tissue paper they receive, then use it to wrap future birthday or Christmas presents. They could even scrunch or shred it into gift boxes to protect what they’ve bought (and make their recipient wait just that little bit longer to find out what’s inside)!
Re-label bags and boxes
As long as they are opened carefully, most mailing bags and boxes can be reused further down the line. All your customers need to do is peel off the old label or stick a new one in its place, tape up any weak areas, and the packaging will be good to go. This is a particularly environmentally friendly (and budget-friendly) option for people who sell a lot of their own items on online auction sites. Alternatively, plastic bags can be used as liners for small rubbish bins, like those in bathrooms or home offices.
Extra garment hangers always come in handy
Most stores are happy to give away their hangers if the customer asks for them. If you’re not one of them, it might be time to reconsider. Instead of worrying about the cost of replacing the hanger in your store, think about the brand awareness that one single product is likely to generate for months, if not years, to come. Your logo and branding will be right in front of the purchaser’s face, every time they open their wardrobe. You can’t put a price on that kind of continual exposure!
Home crafts are a big hit with the kids
Children love getting creative – so why not encourage your customers to stash old mail bags, boxes, and branded tissue paper in a craft box somewhere, ready for when inspiration strikes their little ones? Old materials can be turned into papier-mache, which is made from strips of paper, plain flour, and water or glue. Papier mache is great for making pinatas, too, which can be fun to make AND destroy!
Bags make great containers for plants
Believe it or not, you can actually grow plants in old plastic bags. Potatoes often grow well in them, as well as other types of veg. Your green-fingered customers might want to take a look at this article from BalconyGardenWeb, which offers up plenty of ways to reuse plastic mailing bags in the garden.
Get your thinking caps on!
Can you think of any other ways your customers could reuse and re-engineer your products to give them an even longer life? We’d love to hear your thoughts on this!
