"It was really nice to receive it in packaging that didn't include any plastic. I'll definitely be using Good Things again." - Caroline

From the start, we knew that all the packaging Good Things uses for our ethical and sustainable products needed to be eco-friendly too. 

It’s very important to us that this eco-friendly packaging is 100% recyclable, and where possible we choose recycled materials. 

While lots of us are increasingly conscious about the products we use and how we recycle and reduce our waste, we were surprised to find that the packaging industry hasn't necessarily kept up. 46% of us feel guilty about the amount of plastic packaging we use, and 82% of us are trying to reduce the amount we throw away. Yet products are often delivered in plastic, with plastic tape sealing the boxes as standard. 50% of plastic is used only once, and the impact on our sea life is shocking. Find out more about my experience of plastic pollution when working with sea turtles.

We take packaging seriously and know that as a small business, it's one of the most significant ways we can reduce our impact on the planet. In our second year we prevented a leatherback turtle's worth of plastic from going to waste! We search for alternative ways of packing our lovely products safely, without having to resort to plastic, and ideally using up some materials that might otherwise have gone to waste. We're not saying we've found the perfect solution (these things are a work in progress!) but here's what we use at the moment:

Packaging to protect your product

The paper used to keep your product safe is either 100% recycled brown paper or paper that comes from newspaper off-cuts which might otherwise have been thrown away. Both are completely recyclable and can be used as scrap paper first! 

We use 100% recycled tissue paper to protect more delicate products. If you order's packed using raffia, the ribbon is made from natural plant fibre and is compostable and biodegradable. 

Box

If your box is new it will be 100% recycled, and 100% recyclable. Whenever possible we also reuse boxes from our suppliers. Our customers are very creative when it comes to reusing boxes; we've heard about cardboard on your no-dig veg patches, cat castles, and robot costumes! 

We use recyclable brown kraft paper tape to seal your boxes - it's actually stronger than traditional plastic parcel tape.

Some products will be delivered in cardboard mailers or brown padded bags - they take up less space than a box and protect fragile products better. The padded bags are made from 65% recycled paper and are compostable. The mailers are 100% recyclable and we'd like to switch to a mailer which is made from mainly recycled materials - let us know if you can help!

 

Cards, stickers, packing slip and raffia

Our Good Things flyers and thank you cards are printed on 100% recycled card. The Good Things sticker on your box is made from recycled paper too! 

We no longer send a packing slip with your order, you'll receive this by email instead.

Recycled and recyclable gift wrap

If you're interested in gift-wrap make sure you check out our bright, high-quality and 100% recycled and recyclable range of wrapping paper packs or gift-wrap for products.

We hope you enjoy your product and the way it's packed. We love to hear what you think and do reach out if you can help us improve our eco-friendly packaging!

At Good Things you’ll find inspiring ethical and sustainable gifts that support charities, empower people and protect our planet. Discover gifts for all ages and inspiring ideas like cards that plant trees, handmade cushions empowering people in Tanzania and eco toys made from recycled milk bottles. Have a look at our collections.

Check out more Little Ways to Love the Planet or sign up to have Good Things popped into your inbox every weekend.