Acceptable to reuse packing envelopes and boxes?

[dithommo]

To my learned eBay-ers..............

As a non professional - recreational seller how acceptable is it to re-use padded envelopes/boxes etc?

I have recieved itmes over the years that have obviously used preloved packaging and I have had no problem with it.

Indeed the majority of people re-using packaging have put in extra effort to ensure itmes are well packaged.

I have recieved some larger items so well wrapped in some old used cardboard (just cut up boxes from other items bought) that they have resembled a work of oragami.

I have done the same with wrapping some unusual shaped items but I am now considering reusing some of the plethora of used padded bags/envelopes piling up in my packing box of bits and pieces.

Personally I do not see a problem and obviously it is important to cover old addresses/lables etc.

Also to make sure no nasty little creatures have nested themselves inside.

How many other non-professional sellers do this? 

I would not be impressed if professional sellers or those charging full price postage and packing charges did this but as I more often than not include "Free Shipping" I see this as a small and acceptable win.

Just looking for others input/opinion (I will still do this but just looking for others opinions in a friendly discussion).

Cheers

Thommo

[i-love-my-sheep]

I use new padded bags, but all my parcel stuff is recycled. Never had a complaint. 

[lustrekate]

I think that by reusing packing envelopes and boxes that you are actually recycling, perhaps even one less tree is cut from our forrests.

[queenslander-one]

If available from my supply in the Garage (Storeage Area) I will always use recycled Boxes, Packs etc. Makes sense and enables sellers to only charge the Postage cost.  

[digital*ghost]

I'm not really in a position these day to use recycled packaging, except for bubble wrap, but used to use it frequently when I was selling off a large number of DVDs.

I would cut up old boxes and cut them to size so that I could send the DVDs boxed within satchels (they were wrapped in foam - a thin layer, usually recycled, then bubble-wrap, then cardboard casing).

I not only never had any complaints about this, but many comments about how well packaged the items were, so it's really about how well-protected the item is rather than whether the packaging has been used before.

The only thing that would really see buyers taking issue is food boxes that have stickyness, or grease spots etc. I have heard that some people don't like seeing recycled food boxes at all, no matter how clean, but if you were using anything like that, a quick note in the listing re: using recycled packaging to reduce costs etc should help. 

[twyngwyn]

I use newspaper, junkmail & recycled envelopes....never had a problem 🙂

[chameleon54]

I,m a full time seller. I use new bubble wrap and envelopes / packing bags, but use large quantities of pre-loved cardboard. I get large boxes from a radiator business ( all fairly clean and dry ) and cut them up to size. On my private account I recycle old padded envelopes, bubble wrap etc. all of the time and have never had a complaint.

I would say go for it. The less plastic and cardboard that returns to the enviroment by way of dumps the better.

[zanadoo_56]

As some items just don't fit in Aust Post boxes (too big too small) recycling other packaging makes sense to me.

I'm not a seller but when a purchase arrives in a good box or with other packaging I can use I save it.  This Christmas I went through my 'stash' of both Aust Post boxes and various other odd sized containers and found the odd sized ones were just right for posting Christmas presents to friends.  I also used all the bubble wrap I've saved from purchases.  Once all my stuff was posted off I then set about cutting up the unused ones for the recycling bin.

As long as the packaging isn't so bad it has seen better days and the contents could be easily damaged, reusing packaging is a very sensible thing to do IMO.

[2011.narelle]

I'm a practical woman so i don't personally mind if an item arrives in odd packaging as long as it arrives safely & undamaged.I throw the package away & to me it's the item that I'm interested in,not disposable packing.

I did order some seeds from a Sydney seller a while ago & he had a lot of funny fb comments about him wrapping the chilli seeds in toilet paper They were in toilet paper but i found it funny but the seeds were nice & dry & it was free post i think.Anyhoo,he did a good job & i was happy.

I have read quite a few  fb for sellers about packaging,including bad comms for recycled packaging.I guess some may think that it was cheap or free & thought they may have overpaid for postage.Some people like their packaging to look gift wrapped i guess.Maybe add something in the listing about recycled packaging being used for environmental reasons but actual postage costs are as charged perhaps.

[character_parties_aus]

I send 3-4000 reclycled boxes a year. Not only does it therefore save me $3-4000 it also saves the environment and never had one moan