Green Mail and Ship By You
Okay, before I get to today’s post, I have to share this pic I took at Penn Station in New York City. First, I find in a digital age we’re in with digital cameras, Iphones, Blackberries, cell phones, IPODS and whatever else you can think of, that we’re all oblivious to people tapping away on their devices in public places. Case in point: I could walk up to someone’s belongings, take a photo with my camera and not be asked what I’m doing. But I’m no crazy person; I just wanted to take a photo of the JCPenney Simply Green reusable tote bags that were being lovingly used by a customer in public! Since I work with JCPenney as their Green Living Partner, I get a sense of delight and pride when I see or products in the real world. So, there ya have it.
Anyway, speaking of lugging stuff around, I had to ship a box of fragile items to the PR agency for our Wholearth Beauty and Bath line. The agency—THINK PR—does a great job promoting the line, so I’m always trying to do my best to help them in anyway that I can. Since we’re setting up a display in their NYC office featuring our products, I’ve gotten very involved since I’m all about aesthetics and visuals. So, I packed up a box of vintage glass jars, apothecary items, sea shells, raw wood pieces, seaglass and split wood to use as props with our products. That meant, I needed to run to Staples and get some packing supplies.
Normally, I would go into my supply closet and use the salvaged tissue paper, bubble wrap and packing peanuts I save from things that have been shipped to me. But I was totally out and needed to buy supplies.
Fortunately, at Staples, they have a line called CareMail that features biodegradable corn-starch packing peanuts, plastic-free recycled paper “bubble” wrap, and recycled paper padded envelopes filled with shredded newspaper (perfect for slipping a vintage dish inside for extra support). It made packing up all this valuable stuff a breeze.
And speaking of shipping, I am often asked what’s the greenest way to ship things?
First, I try to avoid sending things overnight express, because it means planes are involved and the carbon footprint is huge. Instead, I like the cheapest option,which is the greenest, too: ground shipping. Try to do the United States Postal Service whenever possible, since these postage carriers are going to businesses and homes anyway. Then, try UPS or Fedex Ground, which uses smart trucks to get your package from Point A to Point B. Honestly, I find shipping ground saves me lots of money, but it also gets to my destination overnight anyway.
And for those of you who ship your luggage using Fedex…please, please stop. You’re taking a plane to your vacation destination anyway, why not use the cargo space on that plane to carry your luggage?
Danny, you asked, “You’re taking a plane to your vacation destination anyway, why not use the cargo space on that plane to carry your luggage?”
My answers — because airlines lose your luggage, but FedEx doesn’t. Because sometimes
things “go missing” from bags that are opened … but not when you ship FedEx. Because it’s a drag to show up to a job interview or a meeting, wearing yesterday’s travel clothes because your bag hasn’t shown up yet, tho’ the airline says it will deliver the missing luggage to your hotel as soon as they find it. All first-hand true stories. So mostly I carry on the allowed baggage, but when I have to, I ship ahead.
I have never shipped luggage FedEx, but I also have little need to travel much for work. However, I had never thought of doing double damage, carbon-wise. Thanks for pointing this out to me. I understand that airlines can lose bags, but I recommend carrying on a change of clothes and any valuables–or just leaving those at home if possible.
I also love that CareMail line! I’ve used those padded envelopes several times to mail CDs, and they’re never scratched or damaged en route.
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