Less packaging in an order
Short answer: Gather orders in one parcel instead of three. It is the simplest way to get less packaging per garment without changing anything else. The box is shared by several items, and there is only one label.
Why gathering works
A parcel with five garments uses less packaging than three parcels with five in total. The box is shared by several items, and there is only one label and one shipping slip. It is no big upheaval, only a matter of waiting a little before you press buy.
What takes up the most room
The box and the filling take up the most room in a parcel, not the garments. A few soft pieces can be folded flat and take up hardly any room by themselves. So the size of the box relative to its contents decides how much packaging is left when you open it.
What to look for
Look for shops that pack without needless filling and use paper instead of plastic. The box should fit its contents, so there is no empty air to fill. If you can see how a shop packs before you order, you get a feel for whether it cares. See also Bamboo Basics.
Paper or plastic
Paper is easier to recycle, but plastic weighs less. Both count, and there is no single right answer for every parcel. A thin plastic bag can be lighter than a cardboard box, while paper is easier to sort for recycling afterwards. Choose what suits what is being sent.
Ask for less packaging
Some shops have a field in the basket where you can ask for less packaging. Otherwise, write a note with the order. Asking costs nothing, and the shop cannot always comply, but a note is worth trying when you order several things at once.
Keep the bag for returns
Keep the bag in case something needs to go back. That saves you buying a new one, and the parcel goes back in the same packaging it arrived in. Also put the slip somewhere you can find it. It is a small habit that saves time and material if you need to send something back.
Reuse the box
A box used twice counts as half. Keep it for something else, for example storing seasonal clothes, sending a gift or moving things around at home. If it gets too worn, it can go in the paper recycling. It is a simple way to get more from something that would otherwise be thrown out at once.
How many garments per order
There is no right number. Order what you need, and gather it so it fits in one parcel. An order of two garments waiting for a third can easily become one parcel instead of two. See also bamboo t-shirts for women and bamboo leggings for women if you want to put a set together.
How to start
Start with one habit: wait to order until you can gather several things. Then add the smaller steps, keep the bag and reuse the box. Each is small alone, but together they give less packaging per garment, without you having to buy anything new or change what you buy.
Frequently asked questions
Can you ask for less packaging?
Some shops have a field in the basket. Otherwise write a note with the order asking for less packaging. The shop cannot always comply, but asking costs nothing.
What takes up the most room in a parcel?
The box and the filling, not the garments. Soft pieces can be folded flat, so the size of the box relative to the contents decides how much packaging you get.
Is paper better than plastic?
Paper is easier to recycle, but plastic weighs less. Both count, and there is no answer that suits every parcel, so choose based on what is being sent.
You can find the full range at Bamboo-Clothing.com.
