Green Packages

Kermit was right.

It’s not that easy being green.

It was important to me to package my pictures using as much recycled material as possible.  I mean, how much of that packaging is just going to end up going right into the trash?   I wanted to be green, but I didn’t want to go brown to do it.  Don’t get me wrong…kraft brown is a very nice color.  It’s just not for me.

So I spent months searching high and low for packaging that captured what Shinn Shots Photography was all about while still supporting the environment.  I think it turned out pretty well!

Here are some examples my green packaging:

• Photo Envelopes:  30% post consumer fiber from an FSC company
• Photo Boxes: 95% recycled
• Ribbon:  Paper raffia from natural fibers; recyclable
• Tissue paper: Made from natural mulberry fibers; recyclable; part of Distant Village – creating jobs and supporting fair wadges!
• Bags: Made from jute; reusable and biodegradable (Plus, get a $3 print credit for reusing with Shinn Shots Photography)
• Most enclosed printed materials: Printed on recycled paper

But Shinn Shots Photography doesn’t stop there.  I have plans…big plans.  In the coming years I intended to make sure that all printed material is on recycled paper…even the stickers and shipping labels!  And my favorite green plan?  Replacing CDs with credit card sized flash drives made from recycled material with the copyright release printed right on the drive!  Less paper, less packaging, and no more CDs!

Please support Shinn Shots Photography’s green efforts by reusing or recycling your packaging materials.  Use the envelopes to send a letter.  Or cut out the middle of the envelope and make a photo mat. Use the paper ribbon to tie up your next gift.  Use the box as a gift box.  Use the quote tags as gift tags, writing the recipients name on the back.  Use the paper to make your grocery list.  So many options!

If you’ve come up with a way to reuse your packaging, I’d love to hear about it!  Leave a comment and let me know what green thing you’ve done.