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How To Choose The Best Mailing Bag
How To Choose The Best Mailing Bag
Here at Springpack, we understand the importance of selecting the perfect mailing bag.
Choosing the best size and the best type of padding can help you optimise the cost-effectiveness of your packaging, and reduce your environmental impact.
Making the right choice can be tricky, that’s why we offer a Free Operational Packaging Audit, why not request yours today, and let us do the hard work for you?
In this guide, we will explore four eco-friendly options for packaging small items: A Jiffy Bag, a Honeycomb Mailer an Expandable Cardboard Envelopes, and Polyethene Mailing Bags.
Jiffy Padded Mailers, and when to use them:
A Jiffy Padded Mailer, also known as a Jiffy Bag is great when you need to send items that require a lot of cushioning during transit. In this case, we have chosen a size 0 padded mailer. This is a great option for shipping small items around the size of a cassette tape. If you are unsure which size of Jiffy Bag is right for you, please see our Jiffy Bag Size Guide.
Did you know, all Jiffy padded mailers supplied by Springpack are fully recyclable and free from single-use plastic? The cushioning inside is made from recycled paper pulp to absorb shocks and knocks during transit, and the outer is made from tough paper. giving it amazing water, puncture and tear resistance.
When to use a Jiffy Padded Mailer:
- Your item requires a medium amount of padding
- You would like to improve your eco credentials
- You are sending important documents, jewellery or small items that require padding
- You require a premium padded mailing experience
Honeycomb Paper Mailers, and when to use them:
A Honeycomb Paper Mailer is similar to a Jiffy Padded Mailer in its shape, and similar has uses. Instead of paper fibre or bubble wrap lining the mailer, it is lined with Honeycomb Paper.
Manufactured from lightweight, yet strong kraft paper, these padded envelopes are a great eco friendly choice for packaging small items that require a small amount of padding. They are slightly lighter than their Jiffy Bag counterpart, as they contain honeycomb paper, instead of condensed paper fibre.
A further benefit of using a Honeycomb Padded Mailer is they are fully recyclable.
When to use a Honeycomb Padded Mailer:
- Your item requires a small amount of padding
- You would like to improve your eco credentials
- Your item can fit through a post box
- You are sending documents, books, small non fragile items
- You are looking for a lightweight solution
Expandable Cardboard Envelopes, and when to use them:
Expandable Cardboard Envelopes, sometimes called Expandelopes, are a new innovation in eco friendly packaging. They are made from corrugated cardboard and have a wide side gusset, to allow for expansion. Expandelopes do not contain cushioning material, as their protection comes from the flute!
A further benefit of the Expandable Cardboard Envelope is that they feature a quick and simple “Peel and Seal” strip, which means packing tape is not required when packaging your products, saving you time and money.
When to use an Expandelope:
- Your item requires very little cushioning, or you are using your own cushioning.
- You would like to improve your eco credentials
- Your item can fit through a post box
- You are sending documents, books, hardware, or clothing.
- You are looking for a lightweight and low-cost packaging solution
- You wish to save space, as Expandable Cardboard Envelopes are flat-packed.
Polythene Mailing Bags, and when to use them:
Polythene Mailing Sacks are an incredibly lightweight way of shipping non fragile goods. All Simply Eco by Springpack Polythene mailing sacks are made from 100% recycled content and are 100% recyclable. This means our range of mailing sacks are compliant with the plastic packaging tax.
A further benefit of shipping using a mailing bag, is that because they are made from plastic, they are incredibly resistant to water.
Unlike alternatives from other brands, our polythene bags have exceptional tear strength, and due to the adhesive “Peel and Seal” strip, do not require any additional parcel tape.
If you require additional protection from your mailing bags, they can be used in conjunction with cardboard boxes, and bubble wrap. You may wish to use this method if you need your product to remain safe from rain, or any moisture whilst in transit.
When to use a Polyethene Mailer:
- Your item requires no cushioning, or you are using your own cushioning.
- You would like to protect your items from the elements
- You are sending documents, books, or clothing
- You require an incredibly lightweight packaging solution
- You wish to reduce the weight of your packaging
- You wish to move to environmentally friendly Polythene Mailers.
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Author: Alice Jeavons
Springpack is a UK packaging company delivering sustainable solutions that empower customers. We prioritise exceptional service, building strong relationships and developing innovative packaging solutions tailored to unique needs. Sustainability drives us, from eco-friendly materials to reusable practices minimising waste and emissions. As a family-run business, we’ve grown from humble beginnings to industry forerunners. Our passion lies in making a positive impact in our community and the lives of customers, employees, and stakeholders through outstanding service that exceeds expectations.