Packaging

Providing sustainable yet robust packaging is at the heart of my business, tied in with the messages of environmental awareness in my comics and zines. I'm always trying to reduce the carbon footprint of my shop without compromising on providing secure, attractive packaging that's a real treat to open. 

It always frustrates me when packaging doesn't have clear recycling information on it, so here's a list of the materials I'm currently using and how best to dispose of them. 

Envelopes / Parcels

I either use card-backed envelopes for flat packages like stickers, books and prints, or padded envelopes made from recycled paper for pins or large orders. All of my envelopes are recyclable, biodegradable and home compostable.

A3/large prints are shipped separately in angular tubes made entirely from cardboard, so there are no plastic ends to worry about. However, this can make them a little less secure so I may sometimes use paper or packing tape to make sure that they survive their journey to you intact. 

Padding

I sometimes use repurposed bubble wrap to protect pins in orders containing pins alongside delicate items like stickers and books. I never use new bubble wrap, only wrap sourced second-hand to get as much use out of it as possible. Bubble wrap can be recycled in the UK alongside carrier bags and plastic film at supermarket collection points.

Pin-only orders are packaged using glassine envelopes. These can be recycled with paper or composted. 

Tape 

99% of the tape I use is made from kraft paper and natural gum. You can leave this on the paper packaging when recycling it. 

Very rarely I may use packing tape where a parcel needs some extra security. This should be pulled off and put in with your general waste. 

Bags

If you’ve ordered art prints, stickers, comics or other print media, your items will probably arrive packed in a clear sealed bag. These bags are made from biofilm, a material made from corn and potato starch that is biodegradable and commercially compostable (for the UK, put this in with your food waste, not your home compost).

I also used paper bags for pins and some stickers. These are made from recycled materials and are recyclable and home compostable. 

Stickers

The little round paper stickers included in the packaging are generally reusable, meaning you should be able to gently pry them from the packaging to stick them on something else! Otherwise, they can be kept on the paper packaging when you recycle it. 

Pin and art print backing

All pins are attached to backing cards made from unbleached, recycled card which is fully recyclable or home compostable. Art prints and some stickers are packaged with grey board to make sure there is no chance of them bending or getting damaged. Grey board is fully recyclable or home compostable (but it is very dense so you might want to chip it before composting).