How to Cope With Styrofoam Peanuts and Go Green

Almost everyone who is familiar with those annoying peanut shaped white pieces of polystrene that are used for shipping is likely welcome some more environmentally friendly ideas for packing fragile merchandise.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• old newspapers
• starch-based peanuts
• Paper nuts

How to Pack Green

1. Old newspapers are both recyclable and biodegradable. Just scrunch them up and use them in place of styrofoam peanuts.
2. Starch based peanuts work in the same way as styrofoam ones do, except they dissolve in water and can be washed right down the sink. They can also be reused and are environmentally friendly.
3. Another alternative is PaperNuts. PaperNuts are made from recyclable, biodegradable used corrugated cartons and paper production waste material.

What to Do About All Those Peanuts

4. The best way to keep styrofoam peanuts from polluting the environment is to reuse them in an outgoing package. Enclose a note asking the recipient to reuse them as well.
5. If you don't have a need for the styrofoam peanuts you've received, take them to a business that does a lot of shipping. UPS, Mailboxes, Etc. and some local pack and mail shops will often glady accept donations.
6. If you receive a package loaded with the peanuts, call the company that sent the package and request that they switch to a more environmentally friendly alternative. As consumer pressure increases, more companies are finding better alternatives.