Did you know that every year, the UK generates 5 million tonnes of plastic waste?

What makes it worse is that only a small percentage is recycled domestically. The majority ends up in landfills, incinerators, or exported to countries ill-equipped to handle it sustainably.

Despite growing awareness, packages still arrive daily in plastic mailing bags and poly mailer bags, increasing the plastic waste crisis. With millions of parcels being shipped globally each day, this seemingly small decision has an enormous cumulative impact.

The Hidden Cost of Plastic

Plastic mailing bags are lightweight and convenient, but their environmental cost is immense. The UK exports much of its plastic waste, often to countries that are unable to manage it sustainably, exacerbating pollution issues globally.

Once discarded, these plastics take hundreds of years to break down, releasing harmful microplastics into ecosystems. Oceans, in particular, bear the brunt it this, with an estimated 12 million tonnes of plastic dumped into them annually, severely affecting marine life​.​

The cost isn’t just environmental—it’s financial too. Taxpayers often bear the burden of cleanup costs, and businesses that fail to adapt face rising levies like the UK’s Plastic Packaging Tax.

Alternatives That Can Make a Difference

With Black Friday and Christmas fast approaching, we need more and more e-commerce businesses to make a conscious decision to ditch plastic mailing bags and make an easy yet impactful change.

Eco-friendly options like paper mailing bags and paper padded envelopes are biodegradable and made from recyclable materials. They also provide the same protective qualities for shipping, and also reduce the amount of plastic waste being produced annually.

That’s why we offer a range of eco mailing bags that are perfect for reducing plastic use. Check out our eco mailing bags, designed to help you ship your goods while protecting the planet.

Why Go Plastic-Free?

• Environmental Impact: Switching to paper or padded alternatives reduces waste destined for landfills or incineration.
• Consumer Demand: Customers increasingly favour brands with strong sustainability commitments. Offering plastic-free packaging can improve customer loyalty and brand reputation.
• Cost in the Long Run: While the upfront cost of eco-friendly packaging may be slightly higher, it aligns with future regulations and avoids penalties tied to plastic usage, such as the UK Plastic Packaging Tax​.

Ditch The Plastic.

 Whether you’re a small business or a large e-commerce brand, transitioning away from plastic packaging is a necessary step towards operating sustainability.

For small items, we recommend making the switch to our eco mailing bags and for larger items, take a look at our range of used cardboard boxes. When you choose to reuse, you’re helping to save trees, carbon, energy and water as there is no manufacturing process needed.

And don’t forget about choosing a plastic-free bubble wrap and eco-friendly void fill.

Because with just some small changes, you can make a big difference. Become part of the Reuseabox Community today.