We've become a nation of online purchasers. Along with the convenience of having someone deliver what you want to your door, comes the opportunity to deal with the packaging you receive sustainably because:

• Plastic sent to the landfill won't degrade for hundreds of years and leaches harmful chemicals into the soil
• Landfilled cardboard and paper release the greenhouse gas methane as they decompose anaerobically.

Below are some simple steps you can take though for a more sustainable outcome:

1) REDUCE/REFUSE ( Using less is always best! )

• When ordering from Amazon, select delivery option "combined shipment" to receive fewer packages.

• OR opt for Frustration-Free Packaging:

• When ordering from other companies look for similar options or ask customer service to group your order into one box.

2) REUSE ( If you can’t reduce, reusing is your next best option ):

Every cardboard box, mailing envelope and piece of bubble wrap you reuse is one less that needs to be produced.

PACKING PEANUTS: Rocky River UPS Store (on Detroit near Whole Foods) will accept these for reuse. Not all UPS stores (e.g. Lakewood) accept packing peanuts for reuse, so it’s best to call first.

STYROFOAM BLOCKS (like those in the photo at the top of this page): These blocks of foam can be useful for holding loads in place when moving or for securing items like lamps when transporting them.

Photo credit: A. Sharb

CARDBOARD BOXES, PADDED ENVELOPES, BUBBLE WRAP, AIR PILLOWS & SYTROFOAM INSERTS:  Use Freecycle! People who are moving love the bigger heavy-duty boxes and Ebay-ers appreciate small and medium sized boxes. Both appreciate packing materials.

Freecycle (https://www.freecycle.org) lets you post what you want to give away and connect with interested parties via email to set up contactless pick-up from your driveway or front porch.

BUBBLE WRAP is great to place between platters and plates you don't use that often. AND, kids (and some adults!) love to pop it! Keep some around to pull out on a trapped-in-the-house day this coming winter. Once popped, recycle it! (See below.)

Photo credit: A. Sharb

3) RECYCLE ( A good option & much better than the landfill! )

CARDBOARD BOXES, CARDBOARD PACKING INSERTS, AND PAPER: Drop off for recycling at Royal Oak Recycling or River Valley Paper Company bins. (see partial list below) CLICK HERE for full list of locations in the City of Cleveland.

• Please empty boxes of ALL packing materials and flatten before placing in bins. Removing packing tape is a good idea, but not required.

• Check out River Valley’s website for videos on the recycling process, information on shredding services and lists of paper products accepted for recycling.

Photo credit: A. Rowlett