Plastic bags account for a huge amount of the plastic polluting our planet, with over 500 billion(!) plastic bags being used globally, many of which go to waste as litter.With such a drastic figure, it’s no wonder the world faces a catastrophic climate battle as these plastic particles find their way into all areas of our planet’s ecosystems – including us! Marine Life in Plastic Marine animals are especially compromised when it comes to plastic waste, with more than 31 marine species having ingested plastic and over 100 species of seabirds ingesting plastic artefacts. Figures show that over 250 species have been caught in plastic waste, and roughly 8% of sea lions and seals have become entangled!Humans are not free from this impact either, with plastic polluting our environment leading to the transportation of new invasive species. These are extremely detrimental to our wildlife and biodiversity, all of which finds its way into the food chain, and subsequently into us. I don’t think we need to tell you that consuming plastic isn’t exactly a healthy human diet! Plastic in Landfill The most incredible statistic we can highlight to showcase how unnecessary and avoidable this whole situation could be is that most plastic bags are only used for 25 minutes before being disposed of! That’s one trip home from the shop before throwing away a piece of toxic material that won’t compose for up to 500 years!All this to say that we need to be more conscious of the impact small actions can have on the lives of everyone around the world, not just today, but for hundreds of years to come. Recycling Plastic Plastic Bag Free Day – celebrated every July 3rd – is committed to bringing awareness about this pressing issue to people around the world, encouraging everyone to be more mindful of their actions, and hopefully inspire people to cut down on the amount of plastic – bags or otherwise – they use before needlessly throwing away.This isn’t to say that all plastic is awful, as plastic can be a great material for reusable products that actively help the planet when used instead of cheap disposable products. Instead, we’re just proposing that disposable plastic products, such as plastic bags, can be easily substituted with long lasting replacements that will not only leave a positive impact on the planet, but save you money in the long run! Eco-friendly Products As big proponents of eco-friendly and recyclable products, we proudly offer a wide variety of plastic-free packaging for you to choose from. From jewellery boxes to gift bags and tissue paper, our eco-friendly range of products not only help the planet, but they look great too, all while being gentle on your bank account!Shop our eco-friendly packaging collection today to start on your journey to healing the planet, one small step at a time.

As summer rolls in, it’s important to take a step back and look at the natural world around us and how we contribute to it every day, both positive and negative.So, in the spirit of World Bee Day and No Mow May, we want to spread environmental awareness and responsibility to all our customers!          No Mow Day No Mow May is an exciting initiative that encourages us to put down our lawnmowers and let nature take its course. By resisting the urge to mow our lawns throughout May, we create a haven for wildflowers and other plants to flourish. Not only does No Mow May result in a stunning display of colourful blooming flowers, but it also provides a much-needed habitat for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. It's a simple yet impactful way to support biodiversity and embrace the beauty of a wilder, more natural landscape. Plus it means you get to relax and feel good about letting your garden grow a little longer than you’re used to.So, this May, let's join the movement, sit back, and enjoy the vibrant wonders that No Mow May brings to our gardens and communities!   World Bee Day World Bee Day is a global celebration dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of bees in our ecosystem. Held on May 20th each year, it serves as a reminder of the vital role bees play in pollinating plants and ensuring the health and abundance of our food supply.World Bee Day provides an opportunity to learn about the challenges bees face, such as habitat loss and pesticide use, and to take action to protect them. It's a day to appreciate the incredible contributions of these beautiful buzzing creatures and to inspire efforts towards their conservation. Let's celebrate World Bee Day by spreading the buzz about their importance and finding ways to support and protect these incredible pollinators!   Sunflower Boxes   We're all about making responsible choices, and that's why our Sunflower Boxes proudly bear the FSC® trademark. FSC ensures that all the materials used in our boxes come from responsibly managed forests. By choosing our Sunflower Boxes, you're directly contributing to the preservation of our precious woodlands and the habitats they provide for bees and countless other creatures.Our Sunflower Boxes are available in four different colours – black, white, kraft, and grey. Not only do they add a touch of uniqueness to your packaging, but they also serve as a constant reminder of the role you play in saving our planet. So go ahead and choose the colour that speaks to your eco-soul!We understand that your packaging needs may vary, which is why we offer our Sunflower Boxes in four different sizes. Whether you're sending a tiny token of appreciation or a grand gesture of love, we've got you covered. From small and medium to large and extra-large, there's a Sunflower Box size that fits just right for you!To sprinkle even more joy into your eco-friendly journey, we're including a free pouch with every Sunflower box you buy. Made from soft cotton and linen, these pouches are perfect for storing trinkets, accessories, and jewellery. It's our way of saying thank you for making a conscious choice and supporting sustainable packaging.By choosing our FSC Certified Sunflower boxes, you're not just embracing style and convenience, but you're becoming a part of the green revolution. Each purchase contributes to a greener future, where we coexist harmoniously with nature and appreciate the delicate balance of our ecosystem.

How to Show Mum You Care this Mother’s Day, Without Breaking the Bank With Mothering Sunday coming up on the 19th of March, many people are thinking about ways to show their mum, or mother figure, how much they mean. Of course, you can go all out with a fancy meal, expensive gift, or day out, but showing your mum you care, doesn’t have to break the bank. There are plenty of ways to show your love and appreciation for your mum on a budget.Here are some ways to pamper your mum this Mother’s Day without splashing too much cash.    Make a Homemade Card You’re never too old for a homemade card. Making or receiving! Your mum will appreciate it, as it shows you’ve put in effort. Making homemade cards can also be adorable if you’re helping your kids come up with a Mother’s Day gift for your wife or partner, as there’s nothing more special than a homemade card from your little one. Don’t forget to add a personal, heartfelt message for extra brownie points! Why not have your kids create ‘ticket books’ of gifts for mum that she can use throughout the year? For example, 1 free car wash, 1 back rub, 1 hour of cleaning, etc. They don’t cost anything, and the kids will have a great time coming up with ideas! Create Some Art If you’re looking for a lovely and inexpensive gift from your children to their mum, there’s nothing better than framing a piece of their DIY artwork. So let your kids get creative with paints, pens, pencils, or anything else you have at home and then frame the beautiful results.     Spend Time Outside A day out doesn’t need to be expensive, so why not head out and enjoy the Great Outdoors with your mum this Mother’s Day? Go for a walk, cycle, potter around the garden, hike, or whatever else your mum will enjoy. You’ll get to spend precious time together, enjoy the fresh air and keep healthy whilst you’re at it. You could give your mum a tree as a gift and use this time outdoors to find a great place to plant it. Good for the environment and a fun and unusual gift too!    Cook A Meal Another inexpensive option is to cook your mum a nice meal to mark Mother’s Day. It can be as simple as a breakfast of toast and eggs or as lavish as a multi-course dinner, but either way, your mum is bound to appreciate the time and effort you’ve spent. If you want to go all out on the eco-theme, you could even look up recipes for a great vegan meal! The bonus is that you can spend time together eating and enjoying the meal.     Choose Eco-Friendly Packaging If you’re giving the gift of a beautiful bouquet this Valentine’s Day, ensure you purchase organic flowers, as these have less impact on the environment. Organic flower farming helps build soil fertility using composting techniques and crop rotation. This method reduces the use of artificial fertilisers, which can negatively affect the environment.If you’re given lovely flowers this Valentine’s Day, why not try flower pressing to preserve them and enjoy them for longer? You could press the flowers and then frame the most beautiful ones. Choose Sustainable Packaging   If you buy your mum a gift this Mother’s Day, no matter the cost, ensure you opt for eco-friendly packaging. If you have any gift bags around the house, you can reuse these and save on buying new ones. Use any rolls of wrapping paper you have at home, and only purchase new (recyclable) gift packaging when you need to, as this is the kindest choice for the environment.We have a range of eco-friendly, sustainable packaging options if you need to buy new gift packaging. In addition, we have a range of packaging from Forest Stewardship Certified Forests, so you can celebrate Mother’s Day while caring for the planet. Shop our FSC Certified packaging by clicking here.

As a small business owner, you understand the importance of creating a memorable and delightful experience for your customers, and packaging plays a vital role in achieving that. With the proper packaging, you can showcase your brand's identity, add a touch of creativity, and make a lasting impression on your customers. In this blog, we will explore some creative packing ideas that can elevate your brand using packaging materials and solutions from Packaging World.     Branding Adding hot foil or digital printing to a product is a powerful way to establish your brand identity and create a professional look for your packaging. Custom branding adds a touch of sophistication and reinforces your brand image, making your packaging unique and memorable. Packaging World offer two options for branding: hot foil printing or digital printing. Hot foil printing creates a luxurious and premium finish, while digital printing allows for intricate designs and vibrant colours. You can add your logo, brand name, or other brand elements to your boxes, bags, or gift pouches using either method.    Creative Fillers and Cushioning Fillers and cushioning materials not only protect your products during shipping but can also add a touch of creativity to your packaging. Tissue paper is a versatile filler option that can add a pop of colour and softness to your packaging. Packaging World stocks tissue paper in various colours and finishes to suit your brand's aesthetic. You can use tissue paper to wrap fragile items, create attractive folds, or add a finishing touch to your packaging presentation. This simple yet creative filler can elevate the unboxing experience and create a wow factor for your customers.    Eco-Friendly Packaging In today's eco-conscious world, eco-friendly packaging has become popular for many brands and customers. Packaging World offers a variety of eco-friendly packaging materials, such as FSC® certified boxes, bags and paper; packaging made from recycled materials and 100% biodegradable packaging. Using eco-friendly packaging materials can showcase your brand's commitment to sustainability and attract environmentally conscious customers. You can highlight the eco-friendly aspect of your packaging on your website, social media, or product descriptions to differentiate your brand and appeal to environmentally conscious consumers.     Gift Pouches If your business specialises in small items such as jewellery, gift pouches can be an excellent packaging solution to add elegance and luxury to your products. Packaging World offers a range of gift pouches in various colours, materials, and sizes. You can choose cotton, organza, satin, velvet or suede pouches to suit your brand's style and theme.In conclusion, creative packaging can significantly impact your customers and help elevate your brand to the next level. From branding with hot foil or digital printing to using fillers and cushioning, eco-friendly packaging or gift pouches, there are many ways to unleash your brand's potential and make a lasting impression on your customers. Packaging World offers a wide range of packaging materials and solutions to help you implement these creative packing ideas for your small business. For more information, visit our website.

Celebrate Sustainably this Easter Easter is a time of joy and celebration (and chocolate!), but it's important to remember the impact our celebrations can have on the environment. At Packaging World, we believe that environmentally-friendly practices should be at the forefront of all our celebrations, including Easter.     So What Can I Do? You’re never too old for a homemade card. Making or receiving! Your mum will appreciate it, as it shows you’ve put in effort. Making homemade cards can also be adorable if you’re helping your kids come up with a Mother’s Day gift for your wife or partner, as there’s nothing more special than a homemade card from your little one. Don’t forget to add a personal, heartfelt message for extra brownie points! Why not have your kids create ‘ticket books’ of gifts for mum that she can use throughout the year? For example, 1 free car wash, 1 back rub, 1 hour of cleaning, etc. They don’t cost anything, and the kids will have a great time coming up with ideas!       Shop Sustainably If you’re looking for a lovely and inexpensive gift from your children to their mum, there’s nothing better than framing a piece of their DIY artwork. So let your kids get creative with paints, pens, pencils, or anything else you have at home and then frame the beautiful results.      DIY Decorations A day out doesn’t need to be expensive, so why not head out and enjoy the Great Outdoors with your mum this Mother’s Day? Go for a walk, cycle, potter around the garden, hike, or whatever else your mum will enjoy. You’ll get to spend precious time together, enjoy the fresh air and keep healthy whilst you’re at it. You could give your mum a tree as a gift and use this time outdoors to find a great place to plant it. Good for the environment and a fun and unusual gift too!

The holidays can be a fun and festive time full of joy, but it can also bring with it a lot of sadness and loneliness to some. After the excitement of Christmas and Valentine's Day has passed, it's important to focus on maintaining a positive outlook and taking care of your mental health. One way to do this is through gardening, which has been shown to have numerous benefits for your mental wellbeing.Getting outside and getting your hands stuck in with some plants can help provide a sense of purpose and accomplishment, which helps to combat feelings of negativity and anxiety. Additionally, gardening has been found to reduce symptoms of depression and improve overall mood. It can also be a great way to get some exercise and fresh air, which are important to maintaining good mental health.If you're new to gardening, there are plenty of plants that are easy to grow and maintain, even for beginners. Here are some ideas of what you can plant in your back garden. 1. Herbs like basil, thyme, and rosemary are easy to grow and can used to add a delicious flavour to your cooking. 2. Tomatoes are a great option for beginners as they are easy to grow and can be used in many recipes in your own cooking! 3. Sunflowers are a fantastic way to add some colour to your garden and are easy to grow especially as the weather begins to warm up.   4. Whether you like them sweet or spicy, peppers are another easy-to-grow option that can be used in many different recipes - provided you have a green house to do so. 5. Lettuces are a staple in British agriculture and are pretty much capable of growing all year round thanks to their preference for moist soil.   Not only does tending to your own garden help immensely with your state of mind, but it helps the wider ecology of the environment, making a massive impact on the future of the planet. Sustaining a healthy garden helps sustain a healthy planet, which we are always proponents of. We provide recyclable FSC® certified products that ensure the materials we use are sourced from sustainable forests, making them ideal for eco-conscious buyers!By focusing on the positive aspects of gardening and taking the time to nurture your plants, you can reap the mental health benefits of this rewarding hobby. So grab your gardening gloves and get started on your own backyard adventure!

Can Valentine’s Day be Romantic, Low-Cost, and Green? Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and whilst it’s a beautiful holiday celebrating love, it can also be costly. With the cost-of-living crisis affecting everyone, saving money wherever possible can make a big difference. So, here are some low-cost and waste-free ideas for enjoying an excellent Valentine’s Day with your partner, your loved ones, or even yourself.    Make a Romantic Meal Instead of splashing out on dinner in a fancy restaurant this Valentine’s Day, why not try cooking up a fabulous meal at home? You could plan this as a surprise for your other half, or if you both enjoy cooking, you could make it a fun date night and try making a brand-new recipe together.    Create a Cosy, Romantic Vibe If you are staying home this Valentine’s Day, make it feel extra special by clearing all the clutter, cleaning up and lighting lots of candles. This will give a romantic vibe and encourage you to relax and get cosy.     Get Outside Together If you’re looking for a fun Valentine’s Day date that won’t cost any money, get outside, and enjoy the great outdoors together. You can do something as simple as going for a walk, a run, or a cycle as long as you take the time to enjoy being together. It’s fun, good for your mental and physical health, brings you closer together, and is free.    Make Conscious Card Choices If you’re exchanging Valentine’s cards with your loved one, choose a card made using Forest Stewardship Council® certified paper or a card. An FSC® product ensures the paper or card comes from a forest managed in a way that preserves biological diversity and benefits the lives of local people who work there whilst ensuring economic viability. This small act from you makes a big difference to the world around us.     Gift Organic Flowers If you’re giving the gift of a beautiful bouquet this Valentine’s Day, ensure you purchase organic flowers, as these have less impact on the environment. Organic flower farming helps build soil fertility using composting techniques and crop rotation. This method reduces the use of artificial fertilisers, which can negatively affect the environment.If you’re given lovely flowers this Valentine’s Day, why not try flower pressing to preserve them and enjoy them for longer? You could press the flowers and then frame the most beautiful ones.    Choose Sustainable Packaging Use sustainable packaging if you’re giving gifts to your loved ones this Valentine’s Day. For example, if you’re wrapping a present, ensure the wrapping paper you use is recyclable, or opt for reusable boxes or bags instead.At Packaging World, we’re passionate about our commitment to the environment and are delighted to offer a wide range of sustainable packaging options. Our packaging options include a wide range of products made from eco-friendly paper, as well as those that are sourced exclusively from FSC certified forests.If you have questions about eco-friendly packaging for Valentine’s Day or any other occasion, our friendly customer service team is here to help. Get in touch by calling 01792 473 785 or by filling in our online contact form, and someone will be in touch soon.

Make The New Year Matter At Packaging World, we love the start of a new year and the feeling of a fresh beginning that comes with it. It is an excellent time for individuals and businesses to look for ways to improve and set goals for their future, and we are no different.Sustainability and reducing our environmental impact have been important to us for many years, and we are looking for ways to be more eco-friendly in 2023 and beyond.      Here are some ways we aim to improve our sustainability credentials in 2023.    Ensure All Packaging is Recyclable At Packaging World, most of our packaging is fully recyclable, which is something we’re passionate about. In 2023, we want to ensure that all our packaging becomes fully recyclable, and we’ll be making changes to achieve this.We recommend that all individuals and businesses get serious about their packaging choices and use fully recyclable material wherever possible, whether choosing a sandwich for lunchtime in recyclable packaging or making choices about how you package your business goods, every little change matters.      Use FSC® Certified Packaging Another thing we’re serious about is creating packaging that’s from Forest Stewardship Council® Certified forests. The Forest Stewardship Council is a not-for-profit organisation that promotes responsible forestry, and they only certify forests that meet the highest environmental and social standards.Products made with wood and paper from FSC-certified forests are marked with the ‘tick-tree’ logo so suppliers and customers can be sure they’re using and buying items that aren’t harming the world’s forests. Using FSC-certified products and packaging uses the power of the marketplace to protect forests for future generations.Currently, most of our packaging is from FSC-certified forests, and in 2023 we want to switch this to all our packaging to ensure we’re doing everything we can for the planet.       Plant More Trees In 2023, we will work with several charities to plant more trees in the countryside around us. Trees absorb carbon dioxide from the air and convert the CO2 into plant matter using the process of photosynthesis. This pulls carbon dioxide out of the air we breathe and replaces it with oxygen, resulting in healthier, cleaner air and helping eliminate dangerous greenhouse gases.      Employee Communication We have a fantastic team at Packaging World, and we like to work with them to help the environment in any way we can. For example, we encourage our staff to bring in empty cardboard boxes or shipping boxes (especially around Christmas time!) so that we can reuse them in our warehouse. We also encourage staff to carpool to work to reduce the number of vehicles on the road. We also promote public transport wherever possible to help further cut our collective carbon footprint.If sustainability is your goal, now is the time to take tangible steps towards reducing your carbon footprint. If everyone starts to take small steps towards a better environment, it will make a massive collective difference and real change.If you’d like to learn more about our recyclable and Forest Stewardship Council-certified packaging, our team would be delighted to help you. Call 01792 473 785 or fill in our online contact form and we’ll be in touch.

Ways to Get Over Your January Blues As we firmly transition into the new year and officially put Christmas behind us, it's not unusual to feel a sense of bittersweet emotion as we reflect on the festive period just gone. January has some big shoes to fill, and it's common for people to fall into a bit of a slump as we return to some form of normality and routine.We all start to realise that those new year's resolutions will probably be next year's resolutions instead, and we long for the fun times we spent with friends and family over the previous few weeks. All in all, January can be a bit of a rough time, but we want to help you turn your January Blues into something more positive and inspiring!There's a known psychological response to helping out that increases a person's feelings of well-being. This can come from small acts of kindness throughout your day, or greater efforts that significantly impact people's lives. Whatever you choose to do, any effort is truly appreciated and helps to make the world a better place, in turn making your January blues less of an issue.Similar to making your bed in the morning to get you ready for the day, doing a little bit to help early this year might make you want to continue throughout 2023 and beyond!...so what can you do?     Recycle Christmas is the most wasteful time of the year, with gift wrapping and food going to waste after the holiday season, causing a massive impact on our environment. Making sure to recycle what you can will help massively in limiting the impact we have on the planet.Be double sure to check your local guidelines for what can and can't be recycled near you, and maybe keep an eye out for recyclable alternatives going into Christmas 2023!We’ve been focusing on recyclable products for a while now, with FSC® certified products covering most of our product ranges. This means they are sourced from sustainable forests and can be recycled later on with the materials being reusable. Check out our range of FSC products here     Donate Old Clothes Maybe you received a lot of new clothes for Christmas, or maybe you just want to downsize your overflowing wardrobe, either way you may feel the need to get rid of those old clothes you haven't worn in a few months (or years!).As we're still in the middle of winter and a cost of living crisis, there are more people now than ever who need help to get through these cold periods. Donating your old clothes to charity is one of the easiest ways to help out, costing you nothing to do so, and making a huge difference to the lives of the most vulnerable, while also reducing the amount of good clothing that goes to waste in our bins.Most local charity shops accept clothing donations, although you can look into specific charities that help homeless people, vulnerable families, or war victims such as those in Ukraine.     Be a Lazy Gardener January often feels like the month to clean-up and clear-out, however you might want to reconsider that when looking at your garden! Letting your grass grow long and leaves pile up gives small animals and insects a cosy place to stay during the colder months, and lets you relax without worrying about the state of your garden.If you have a pond that's frozen over, gently crack the ice to allow creatures to come and go, or float a ball in the water to stop it from freezing.Even leaving bruised or overly-soft fruits outside can help feed the local wildlife, although if you have cats and dogs about, be sure to avoid dried fruits and grapes!At the end of the day, it's making an effort that really matters. It can feel a bit overwhelming trying to tick everything off the list all at once, so just start with what's easiest for you. Doing one small thing to help out can drastically improve your self-esteem and cause you to want to do more. Over time this can build into a good habit, and if enough people do the same, then we'll be on course to making a massive positive impact on our planet!