​As Seattle became the first city in the US to ban plastic straws this summer, the concern over single use plastics and non-biodegradable packaging is growing fast. Social media feeds are inundated with scenes of marine animals struggling through debris, and islands made up of trash are swirling in the oceans. It’s pretty hard to change habits once they are formed, and in a busy world convenience usually wins out over concerns for environmental sustainability. But these 7 products are leading the way to innovate eco packaging, and maybe reduce some trash in our landfills while they’re at it.

​This slippery green stuff is an extremely versatile material and can be used for more than just the wrapping for your sushi. Evoware is a company that takes advantage of this substance, and by collaborating with seaweed farmers they have been able to develop a packaging material that is 100% biodegradable. The packaging dissolves in warm water, leaving behind no trace (and can even act as a natural fertilizer for plants!). Without any preservatives their material has a shelf life of two years, which is pretty good for a packaging solution that is completely organic.

​Next time you host a birthday party or family cookout, take stock of all of the paper and plastic materials that get thrown into the trash. When organizing big events like these it’s always easier to simply throw things away then spend hours washing plastic utensils. Luckily, this scenario finally has an eco-friendly solution. “Free The Seed” utensils are created by Australian based DB packaging and are made from organic materials. The materials dissolve naturally when they are disposed, regardless of soil conditions.  The packaging is 100% organic and is made from post- harvest rice fiber, which makes use of a substance that would otherwise be discarded.  The cost saving materials are inexpensive to make and are the perfect solution for those concerned with waste.

When we think of a liquid item like hand soap or shampoo we usually imagine it to be in a plastic container. It's only logical- isn’t it? But new innovators have developed a way to make bottles out of recycled newspaper and cardboard, lined on the inside with a layer of very thin recycled plastic to hold the liquids. Lots of companies are catching on to this new design, including L’Oreal who created a water resistant paper bottle that uses an interlocking design rather than glue to hold it together. 

​Nasty Styrofoam egg cartons can never be broken down once they are introduced to the environment, so it’s better to avoid them when possible. Marian Obando did just that when she developed a method to hold free-range eggs with one strip of newspaper. The paper is folded into a way that secures the eggs and prevents them from cracking against each other, and a strip of cardboard in the middle holds everything in place. 

​Organic soap is a real treat, but one that can sour when you throw away the packaging only to realize that it is made from plastic or other materials that don’t biodegrade. That’s why Pangea Organics developed a way to incorporate organic seeds like thyme or basil into the boxes of their 100% plant based soaps. All you have to do to plant your own herb garden is slip off the label, soak the box in water and plant it in the earth.
 

​The next time you order late night hot wings to the house during a midnight craving, imagine it arriving in these neat to-go boxes! Joann Arellos invented these boxes in an effort to create a sustainable and efficient way to transport delivery food. No need for plastic bags and Styrofoam containers, these boxes are made from cardboard are held together with a series of cords.  

Are you the type of coffee drinker who craves a bite of something sweet alongside your morning brew? This edible cup from KFC might be the perfect packaging for you. The cups are made from sugar cookies, with a coating on the inside of heat resistant chocolate. The paper on the outside is also made from sugar, and is printed with edible ink. The idea is that as the chocolate coating melts the customer can eat the cup, enjoying their coffee and their sweet treat all in one (and leaving zero waste behind).
 
 
We love to see the many ideas that are out there, and the changes that are being made to the packaging industry! At SSI packaging industry, we are always thinking about the future. Our experts can guide you towards making the right choices for your packaging needs, and help you increase your eco-friendliness by streamlining your process.

​For any questions feel free to contact at (804) 649-1111 to speak with a representative or view our products to find out more.   

Have you ever found yourself struggling to open a plastic container, frustrated at the seemingly impossible task at hand? Or untwisting thousands of wire twist-ties from your child’s new toy while they wait impatiently in the background? This kind of packaging has cause headaches for decades, and for a good reason. Not only is it annoying to have to deal with the extra pieces of material that are included in your packages as a consumer, but also from a business perspective these parts are a needless expense. They require more time for assembly, and can cost your business more in the long term by complicating the shipping process.  Recently, companies have streamlined their processes by switching to a method of packaging called frustration free packaging. In this article we break down exactly what this kind of packaging is, and how your business could benefit from the switch.
 
Frustration Free Packaging, or FFP, is any packaging at arrives at the distributor with no additional preparation required in order for the package to proceed to delivery. FFP’s do not require additional boxes, and the vendor gets to keep their brand on the outside of the shipment. This type of packaging was originally developed by Amazon in order to address the growing need for sustainable packaging. They hoped to create a type of packaging that could optimize the customer experience by minimizing environmental impact, while at the same time cutting the overall packaging costs. By reducing the sizes, excess materials and unnecessary components of packaging, Amazon has been able to eliminate more than 500 million boxes and more than 244,000 tons of excess packaging materials in less than ten years. In fact, the program was so successful in 2017 that they reduced their overall packaging waste by 16%, which is the equivalent of 305 million shipping containers. This reduction of waste is good not only for the planet, but also for the bottom line of distributors looking to reduce costs.
 
Frustration Free Packaging is more than a trend in packaging, and is quickly becoming an industry standard. If you are seeking to gain the many benefits of this method you can rest assured that it offers many benefits to both suppliers and customers. By shipping items in a box that is perfectly sized for the objects weight and shape, less damage will occur to items during transit. FFP also has the benefit of streamlining your logistics process. The smaller boxes will be easier and faster to construct, meaning smoother assembly for the distributors and the newly designed packages will be easier for the customers to deconstruct. The environmental impact of FFP’s is clear when considering how this style eliminates the need for extra materials like fillers or tapes. And these compact packages also have less volume, which is a great benefit considering most carriers price shipments based upon DIM weight (a shipping pricing technique that bases prices upon the weight and volume of a package). The boxes are stackable and are excellent shapes for bulk shipments, which simplify the supply chain and allows for more items to be shipped at once.
 
FFP’s is the cost effective and environmentally friendly wave of the future. Despite the initial costs that would be incurred from switching over to this type of packaging, the benefits seem to outweigh these costs in a big way. At SSI Packaging Group we are a select team of experts that are dedicated to personalized care. For more information on Frustration Free Packaging methods, or for any questions regarding your specific needs Call us at (804) 649-1111 to speak with a representative or view our products to find out more. 

When sealing packages its important to consider the many factors at play that could help or hurt your distribution system. The strength of the sealants that you decide to use along with their resiliency to different climates can determine if your packages will be secure and theft-resistant. They types of cargo you are shipping and their weight can also result in varying methods transport. There are a myriad of options available for sealing containers, and in this post we break them down to find out what methods are the most efficient for your bottom line. 

​Pressure Sensitive Tapes
 
Pressure sensitive tapes are petroleum based tapes, made out of plastic film with a sticky substance on one side that is designed to adhere to most surfaces.  You have probably seen this kind of tape applied with tape guns or similar tools that make application easy and efficient. Since pressure sensitive tape is made from petroleum it is typically an inexpensive product to use to seal packages, yet the costs could accumulate if sealing required multiple layers of tape. In addition, the shiny plastic makes it harder to print upon and companies could lose on a valuable opportunity for branding. This kind of tape is easy to apply, but also easy to remove leaving little to no trace of breaching. Because of this factor theft is a big concern when using pressure sensitive tape. In addition pressure sensitive tape is not resilient to extreme climate fluctuations. Extremely hot, humid, cold or dry environments can impact the tape, allowing for dirt and grime to breach the sticky seal and ultimately leave your items exposed.  Acrylic packaging tape is one of our most popular pressure sensitive tapes

​Water Activated Tapes
 
Water activated tape is made out of Kraft paper and a sticky adhesive that is developed from starch. This adhesive reacts strongly to water, and once moistened the tape will form a permanent seal by molding to the carton material of the container. To get this water-bonding effect suppliers will apply the tape with a type of dispenser that is activated by water. This style of tape is very strong and occasionally can contain layers of additional reinforcement like fiberglass. Water activated tape is more costly than pressure sensitive tape, although its possible to use less while packaging and achieve a good result. And for companies interested in taking advantage of taping space for additional branding, water activated tape easily allows for printing or stamping. Because of the strong bond that occurs when the adhesive is activated it is nearly impossible to break this seal without avoiding detection, meaning that water activated tape is an excellent choice for theft prevention. In addition, this strong adhesion also prevents wear and tear from varying climate conditions. Most types of extreme weather can be handles by water activated tape without the pesky side effect of dirt or debris creeping under the seals. 

Strap Close
 
The kind of carton closure that you choose might also vary based upon the physical characteristics of your particular shipment or product. A series of straps (also known as poly strapping) can be used to lash together your cargo, joined together at strategic points called the seal joint. These joints buckles are made from either plastic or steel and are the weakest point of this style of sealing so it is wise to select your particular seal joint with considerations to your needs. If your particular shipment is low in volume, tension and weight you could use plastic or steel buckles that don’t require the additional application of tools to hold things in place. However, for shipments that are lower volume but have high levels of tension or weight probably need a combination of metal seals and manual tensioners. For these heavy freights you’ll want to select a system that has a high percentage of joint efficiency (the percent of joint strength in relation to the break strength of the strap). As a general rule, the heaviest of loads typically require strapping made from resilient polyester strappings and metal seals that have additional texture as a component for extra reinforcement.
 
 
Hopefully these tips have you ready to pack, seal and ship your item to its destination. If you have any more questions about the different ways you could seal your package, or if you just want to find out more about what we offer feel free to give us a call at 804.649.1111.

​At SSI Packaging Group we have a dedicated team of packaging specialists who are ready to fill all of your packaging needs. 

Keeping your shipments safe from damage during transport is extremely important. According to recent studies the number one complaint among transportation managers was damaged goods. Although you might hope that the people in charge of shipping your cargo will treat it very carefully, the reality is that many times deliveries are rushed and corners are cut- incurring damages. To make sure that your shipments arrive intact, try these methods to fortify your packaging process.
 
Block and Brace Shipping
Block and brace shipping is a way to keep goods secured during transit, reducing the risk of excessive movement and damaged cargo. Packages that have been placed into shipping containers can slide around if they are unsecured. Blocking and bracing is a process that reduces the shifting of packages from the front of the shipping container to the back. To do this, metal or wooden beams are placed at strategic points within the shipping container in order to hold items in place.  If you are shipping a product with wheels you need to first keep the wheels stabilized and prevent them from spinning. You need to make sure these bracing systems are locked to the container as securely as possible and ensure that the braving systems do not allow for any movement of the cargo they hold.
 
Void Fill
Void fill is any type of cushioning that is added to your package with the intention of protecting your goods while they are in transit. Void fill should be used in cases when your products are fragile, if there is excess space in the package, if they heavy, or if your product has sharp corners that could be bent or broken during shipment. Typically used in corrugated boxes, void fill has many different options that serve a variety of functions. Some examples of void fill options would be packaging paper, inflatables, loose fill or newsprint paper. Packaging paper is used to fill empty space, protect edges or corners, or to fully protect the product. The protective qualities vary depending on the thickness, strength and resilience of the type of paper that you select. Similar to packaging paper is newsprint paper, which is thinner and generally well suited to provide light protection. Loose fill is convenient and very easy to use; these components are made from expanded polystyrene and can be added to a box to fill in any extra spaces.
 
Surface Protection
Surface protection can be used to protect a wide variety of products, such as painted car parts, mirrors, or anything else with a delicate surface. Surface protectors generally are designed to protect edges, and prevent shock or compression. Bubble wrap, packing foam and protective film are all types of surface protection that work in several different ways. Bubble wrap is a light film that can be supplied in sheeted forms, in pouches, or in rolls. Packing foam is elastic, flexible and water repellent material that offers very good cushioning properties. Protective film is generally used to prevent scuffs and scratches, and can be removed without leaving a residue even after long-term use.
 
These products and techniques are sure to help your shipments arrive safely to their destination. Having been in the packaging business for over 40 years, SSI Packaging Group understands the need for cost effective and quality packaging. Our premium products help your shipments get from point A to point B. For more information or assistance on how to protect your items in transit feel free to contact us at 804.649.1111.

​Typically when it becomes time to ship an item you are faced with a variety of considerations. You need to think about the size of your item, the distance it will go, how much it weighs and how it is shaped. These factors can help you determine what kind of container to ship your item in and the materials it should be made from. When faced with these choices you can decide between boxes and mailers. The intricacies between these two options are broken down in this post. 

​Corrugated Boxes
To ship bigger, bulkier items corrugated boxes are recommended because they are designed to protect items from bursting, crushing or puncturing the boxes when in transit. Corrugated cardboard boxes are strong and lightweight, made from layers of Kraft paper, a type of paper that was designed to be resistant to damage. Kraft paper is commonly made out of pine that has been pulped and processed. There is also a type of paper that is often used for the process called Test paper. Test paper is resilient yet has been made from recycled materials is also a reliable and sometimes less expensive option. Either types of this strong paper is processed in a facility and then crimped on a giant machine called a corrugator.

​For the typical corrugated box that is single wall, two layers of flat paper sandwich between them one layer of paper that has been crimped. When purchasing corrugated cardboard boxes generally this will be the most widely available option that you will see, however there do exist two other types of corrugated cardboard that have been designed with varying levels of strength in mind. Double wall corrugated cardboard consists of two pieces of crimped paper, which are glued together by one ply of non-fluted (or, not-crimped) paper or cardboard. The exposed outer surfaced are then covered with one piece of paper respectively. If the items that you chose to ship are especially heavy and you think they would need extra reinforcement, triple wall cardboard is the best solution. Triple wall corrugated cardboard is similar in its construction to double wall cardboard, with three plies of fluted paper instead of two. These layers of paper are held together by two pieces of paper or cardboard, and the outer surfaces are each covered with one ply of paper or cardboard. This extra layer provides additional support, perfect for large and bulky items.

Mailers
If your items are small and lightweight, resilient to shipment and are of varying degrees of fragility you can choose to ship with mailers. Bubble mailers are envelopes that are made from protective bubble wrap, and are designed to cushion and protect your items from damage during transit. In a similar vein, padded mailers are paper envelopes that include a layer of padding on the inside, so that they can lessen the impact of rough transport. Both of these types of mailers are efficient in protecting your items, however oftentimes you can find padded mailers made from recycled materials, which could be a benefit to your business if you are seeking ways to be more eco-friendly. Poly mailers are flat mailers made from durable polyethylene film, which means they are moisture resistant and lightweight. They are a great choice for e-commerce sellers because of their lower price point, small size and durability. Paper mailers are also lightweight, and are often made from renewable materials and are able to be recycled post shipment. However paper mailers are not weatherproof and can be a little bit more expensive than poly mailers, which tend to be cheaper because they are easier to produce. Finally, if you find yourself shipping items that need to retain their shape during shipment like photos or diplomas, your best possibility is flat mailers because they are rigid and retain their shape during shipping.

​Whether you want mailers or boxes, SSI Packaging Group has every necessity to get your shipment out the door. We specialize in providing personalized service and a variety of options for any of your packaging needs. Call us at (804) 649-1111 to speak with a representative or view our products to find out more. 

​The leaves are changing colors, the air is getting crisper and Halloween is right around the corner! We don’t know about you but at SSI Packaging Group we can’t help but get excited for this spooky and sweet holiday. To get in the spirit check out these 7 fun things you can do with packaging supplies to make this year the best yet!

This creepy party decoration is made from common packing tape that has been wrapped loosely around someone’s hand and then removed. The key step for this craft is to make sure the sticky part of the tape is facing out- away from the skin of whoever your lucky helper is. This prevents the tape from sticking to their hand, avoiding any discomfort when it comes time to remove it!  You can replicate this with clear or matte tape depending on if you are going for a mummified or ghostly effect- but either way we think it’s pretty creepy! The tutorial we found even suggests putting some string led lights inside of the hands for an eerie effect when the lights are out.  Check out how to do it here.

If you have any leftover shrink-wrap lying around the house it could be a fun activity to take it outside and make some giant spider webs. All you have to do is twist the shrink wrap into strands and string them together from whatever location you think is best (trees are a good option because they have a lot of anchoring points).  Check out the how-to video to find out more. 

This idea might sound a little familiar to you if you read our post on 7 unconventional things to do with bubble wrap.  For Halloween this year it would be a fun idea to take any leftover bubble wrap that you have and transform it into a jellyfish costume! All you need is some extra fabric, a wide brimmed sun hat, and a little bit of bubble wrap. We got our inspiration from instructables and there are tons of cool jellyfish costume ideas on the web!

This cute costume was made out of simple and easy to find materials. All you need to create the perfect robot costume are some cardboard boxes. Get creative with layers of tinfoil, bottle caps, pot scrubbers or anything else shiny or futuristic! We think you’ll have fun inventing this costume. Find out how here. 

​A great idea for a Halloween party craft, these bubble wrap stamps are super easy to make and fun to do with kids. It’s pretty simple to do, you paint the bubble side of the bubble wrap to create your desired design, making sure to only paint the bubbles and not the spaces in-between. Then you lightly press onto craft paper, and decorate the results as you want! The full instructions for this craft give great ideas for designs. 

Ever wonder what to do with leftover packing filling? This ambitious sushi costume uses some to imitate rice, and we think it has an awesome effect! If you want to try you hand at creating this awesome idea check out the link, but be careful- it might make you hungry!

​Leftover paper tubes are transformed into bats, which you can hang from your walls for a cool decorating effect or even stuff with candy and hand out as party favors. This could be a great activity to do with kids at Halloween events this season. Follow the tutorial for the best results!
 
 
SSI Packaging Group is here to provide quality service to the greater Richmond Virginia area. We hope that your holiday is full of spooky fun, and if you need any materials to help make it a success don’t hesitate to contact us for all of your packaging supply needs! 

​When it comes to finding the best shipping method for your business, there’s a lot of information on the web about various approaches and courier services. To help clear up any information overload this article quickly breaks down some key things to consider when choosing your desired shipping method. By keeping these important issues in mind you’ll soon be on your way to developing an efficient shipping process for your business.


Parcel Service vs LTL

Historically parcel service was intended for the shipment of parcels that were heavier than letter post, yet weigh less than 150 pounds. Today due to changes in how couriers calculate shipment pricing it is possible to still qualify for parcel service for a package that weighs more than 150 pounds, providing that the packaging holds to size requirements. Some carriers use a technique called dimensional weight, or dim weight, to calculate an estimated weight based on the length, width and height of a package. Basically the carriers realized that they were losing money by charging less for large packages that weighed very little (for example, a pillow) and that took up more room in their shipping containers. Although traditionally cheaper than Less Than Truckload (LTL) shipping, parcel service can carry with it some risk of damage or delay. If you are shipping large packages Less Than Truckload shipping is probably a better option for you than parcel service, depending on the dimensions of your product. LTL shipping service is generally geared for shipments that weigh anywhere from 151 to 20,000 pounds, and can be found at many common carriers. Traditionally known as the cheaper option, its important to remember the various ways that dim weight may impact the price of shipping items vis LTL.


National  vs Regional Carriers.

FedEx and UPS are the shipping giants currently dominating the courier industry. But depending on your shipping needs it could be a good idea to investigate the options available at regional carriers. Regional carriers serve specified areas in the United States, and are generally smaller and can offer lower costs and higher degrees of flexibility as a result. Because most regional carriers use truck hubs to transfer their packages they avoid expensive airline costs, and pass those savings on to their consumers. In addition, because of their regional status shipments can arrive to their destinations more quickly and you could be charged less for the speed of the service. Their smaller status also means that contracts and pricing regulations can sometimes be easier to understand than those of bigger carriers. However, there are some benefits to using the big carriers.  With their larger size they also have greater opportunity for resources and technology, more access to complex routes, and a bigger reach in general. This reach does mean that they can be slower and more expensive than regional carriers because they have bigger delivery area surcharges and higher accessorial costs. However, these revenue thresholds are always negotiable. To decide between these two options you should first consider shipping distance, and then compare the various pricing systems.


Additional Considerations

Another concern when shipping your items could be temperature. Temperature controlled freight shipping is available for goods that are climate sensitive and that require specialized storage to preserve their quality. Keep in mind that it might benefit you to do some research on the climate that your product will be shipped through, and to make necessary adjustments in which service you choose based on temperature. Rules and regulations regarding dry ice can impact the nature of your shipment, and the materials of packaging that you use can also be impacted by industry standards. Finally, you should determine how time sensitive the items you are shipping are. Standard package delivery is typically 4 to 14 business days, so if your customer places a high value on quick delivery you can opt to provide next day shipping service, which ensures that you ship your product for it to arrive the following business day.
 
We hope that these insights have helped you get a better grasp on how to determine the best shipping method for your company. SSI Packaging Group is a team of shipping and packaging specialists that are dedicated to serving any and all of your packaging needs. We pride ourselves on providing personalized, flexible and reliable service. Call us at (804) 649-1111 to speak with a representative or view our products to find out more. 

So you've been needing to replace the inkjet coder in your production line, but you're just not sure how to get it approved?  Maybe your labeler is on the brink and you're tired of it slowing production while someone fishes out the old sticky labels.  Old machines don't last forever, they need to be replaced.

​Tada, do we have a deal for you...

Be the hero and get a $500 credit when you trade in that old system.  Yep, that's right.  Get a $500 credit when you trade in any marking and coding system and replace it with one from one of these manufactures:

• CTM
• inc.jet (small character inkjet, hi-res inkjet)
• Matthews Marking (Does not include Digital Design Printers)
• Paul Leibinger
• Videojet (Does not include Unicorn Printers)

Contact one of our marking and coding specialists today to take advantage of this offer.  804-649-1111

Food labels are important, more than for providing us with some in-store entertainment while standing at the checkout line. They help us determine that our foods contain what they say they do, and don’t contain the stuff that we don’t want. Seems pretty basic to us now, but back in the day the food industry was the wild-wild-west, full of bad guys putting whatever they wanted into jars and calling it jam.
 
In the beginning food quality was pretty much thought to be up to the consumer. Food distribution was wholly unregulated and small scale, with oversight being mandated to state lines and mainly concerned with weight, which helped to serve trade interests. When the industrial revolution rolled around the advent of chemical additives and mass product distribution techniques allowed for producers to supply food at an unprecedented rate. Transportation improvements allowed for the widespread distribution of processed goods, allowing for synthetic foods and packaged cereals to dominate shelf-space nation wide.
 
The lack of government oversight allowed for bad actors to create concoctions of edible and sometimes not-so edible products masked beneath deceiving labels. There were reports of this happening with jam products with some companies blending a combo of tar, apple peels, and sawdust and coal-dye tar together. Producers of high quality goods started to get frustrated with that competitive cost advantage that these inferior products were gaining and began to move towards government action to try to ameliorate the issue.
 
This is where the first attempt to regulate food quality came in, with the establishment of the 1906 US Pure Food and Drug Act. This act ensured that food quality was the responsibility of the supplier and said that food actually had to contain real, unadulterated ingredients. The social climate of the time impacted the food regulation industry, with things like the woman’s suffrage movement and Upton Sinclair’s “The Jungle” impacting public perception of food safety. These cultural shifts led to the 1938 food drug and cosmetic act, which still shapes many of the food labeling laws that we see today.
 
Today food labels help keep consumers informed, and work for small businesses to provide assurances that your products are high quality. As a small business owner, if you are ever in need of labeling needs SSI provides reliable printers with easy to navigate interfaces. To find out more click here or call us today at 804.649.1111