Sustainable is Good | Where design, lifestyle and packaging meet

New Shipping Box is Major Step Forward in Reusable Packaging

Salazar Packaging recently announced the availability of its new patent pending product, the Globe Guard Reusable Box - an RSC style box that can easily be turned inside-out to create a like-new shipping container. The innovative design makes reuse of corrugated containers a practical option for the first time.

The new Globe Guard Reusable Box is a corrugated shipping container that can be quickly inverted after use to form a clean, like-new shipper.  The breakthrough design, developed by sustainable packaging innovator Salazar Packaging, Inc., supports the multiple reuse of corrugated containers - while reducing overall cost in packaging and shipping operations.

Salazar Packaging is owned by Dennis Salazar who is a regular contributor on SISG. 

Dennis has worked very hard over the last year in making this new box a reality.  He's been a key player in making sustainable shipping boxes more available and affordable to companies across the country. 

With the new Globe Guard Reusable Box he's taken his concept a step further.  Recognizing many boxes are used for shipping only one way primarily due to cosmetic issues, Dennis has devised a box that can easily be reused without sacrificing its look or structure. 



“Shipping boxes are typically still structurally solid after their first use,” said Salazar, “but they are thrown away or recycled because of how they look. Our design enables the clean inside of the box to quickly and easily become the new outside, at least doubling the box’s life cycle. Essentially, the Reusable Box does the job of two boxes, possibly more.”

The Globe Guard Reusable Box is ideal for warranty claim and replacement shipments, repair and return operations, e-commerce returns, parts exchanges, product loaners, intra company and intra office shipments, and other applications where more than one shipping container are used for shipping products back and forth

Check out the video Dennis did demonstrating how the new box works.

10 Tips for an Environmentally Responsible Valentine's Day

If you'd like to celebrate Valentine's Day in a way that's less commercial, more environmentally responsible, and infinitely more meaningful, let these ideas inspire you.

1. Make a fancy dinner at home. Spend some time in advance pouring over your favorite recipe books or searching recipe sites for elegant, lavish choices that you wouldn't ordinarily splurge on. To make it even more special, treat yourself to a bottle of nice wine or Champagne, start out with a course of fantastic artisanal cheeses, and make or buy a decadent dessert. Be sure to buy all the groceries a day or two in advance and allow enough time to be able to cook together in a leisurely manner – sharing in the cooking process is half the fun. Pull out your fine china and linens, then light some candles to set the mood.

2. Give a living plant instead of cut flowers. A dozen red roses are a quintessential Valentine's gift, but they're not exactly good news for the environment - the flowers could be heavily sprayed with pesticides and other chemicals (bad news for you and the workers who pick and handle the flowers.) Many are flown from South Africa or Latin America, travel that uses resources and causes pollution. Instead, find an eco-friendly florist or garden shop and give your sweetie a living plant that will stay green long after those red roses wilt.

3. Make your own truffles. Don't waste your money on fancy commercial chocolate brands – instead, head to the kitchen and make your own truffles. Recipes can easily be found online for a delicious, thoughtful gift that also helps the earth.

4. Or, buy chocolate responsibly. If playing chocolatier in your own kitchen is beyond your skill set, try to do a little research and find sweets that are organic, fair-trade and made locally so you're supporting small business people in your community.

5. Shop for gifts at thrift and antique stores. Your local flea markets, thrift stores or even eBay can be a treasure trove of one-of-a-kind, meaningful gifts for your honey. Look for vintage purses, a pretty glass vase, or some beaded necklaces that you can take apart to make your own personalized piece.

6. Take a jewelry making class to make a handcrafted bauble. If you plan far enough in advance, you can take a jewelry making class (or, for the time-pressed, even a one time only afternoon workshop) so that you can make a piece that's truly unique and from the heart. Look online for a class and you might even find someone who teaches you about giving new life to old objects, like this one taught at New York City jewelry store Lunessa.

7. Splurging on a diamond? Go conflict free. Most commercial diamonds are mined in ways that harm the environment and the workers. If you are going to splurge on a diamond, make sure it's a conflict-free gem. There are plenty of eco-responsible jewelers, such as Green Karat who specialize in recycled precious metals and responsibly mined sparklers.

8. Create a home spa experience. Instead of a gift certificate to a fancy spa, create a luxurious spa experience in your own home. Find recipes for homemade bath salts, scrubs or facials, then light some candles and put on some Sade.  

9. Make your own Valentines. Whether they're for your child's classmates or for friends and loved ones, making your own valentines can be a satisfying way to use the things you've been hoarding, such as scraps of fabric and ribbons, random buttons, and old greeting cards and magazines. Gather up all the materials you think you might need, buy some construction paper or card stock at your supermarket, and get to work.

10. Go risqué responsibly. Looking for some sexy underthings to spice up your night? Stay away from synthetic fabrics like polyester satin, and seek out lingerie made from natural and environmentally responsible fabrics like bamboo, organic cotton, hemp and silk. Green Cheeks Boutique has romantic options ranging from colorful thongs made from silk remnants to lace-trimmed, organic cotton babydolls.

For more green lifestyle tips visit RecycleBank

Gerbs Pumpkin Seeds

Pumpkin seeds are getting lots of press lately for their significant health benefits.  I was really happy to find a company based here in Rhode Island that is selling a variety of pumpkin seed products and has just switched to a more sustainable packaging design.

Gerbs Pumpkin Seeds is a local company based in Johnston, RI which has been in business since 2003.  They sell a number of products which are now available in many parts of the country. 

Gerbs has recently reconfigured its packaging reducing their packaging waste and impact by 50% according to the company.   Their packaging is made using 100% recycled paperboard 65% of which is post consumer recycled.

My favorite product from Gerbs is their shelled roasted red pepper baked kernels.  The product has low sodium and an addictive flavor with loads of beneficial omega acids.  

Check their website where you can order their products and also find them at stores nearby.