Shipping Ceramics: The Earth-Friendly Packaging Dilemma

There’s no getting around it; Shipping ceramics around the world is a tricky affair. Every precious pottery piece needs to be snuggled safely in packaging that can handle the rough and tumble of the postal system. But I want to be planet-friendly, so what do I do?

This dilemma has been on my mind ever since I started planning this online shop.

I’m happy to say that I’ve successfully hoarded saved up quite a bit of packaging over the past few months. We also have a local Facebook group, where people in the neighbourhood have offered boxes, bubble wrap and more, which I’ve rabidly gracefully accepted.

As such, wherever possible, I’ll re-use existing packaging, bubble wrap and boxes when sending your packages in the post. I’m pretty sure that I currently have enough bubble wrap that I could safely wrap myself in it and roll down a hill without a bump.

However, the priority is ensuring that your package arrives safely, so where I have to use new materials, I try to use the most suitable eco-friendly option, such as biodegradable packing peanuts.

If you can, try to re-use the packaging you receive, pass it on to a friend with an online shop, or recycle it if you don’t fancy rolling down a hill in bubble wrap with me.

If you have any suggestions and ideas to improve the planet-friendliness of packaging and posting your purchases, I’m listening. Do say hi on Instagram (@thatcanadiangirl) and let me know your thoughts!