shipping dilema: price vs. environment

Oh, I get it! I do have a "paper that tears" bin...unfortunately I have to lug my recycling to a station because there is no curbside pickup. Since I tend to wait until I have many bins accumulated (because I'm lazy, and also to save gas) I tend to make my recycling adventures an exclusive trip. There just isn't room for much else ;)

I drive a Honda Civic...when it wears out, I'll probably get a Honda Insight, or whatever comes next. I will probably keep driving my same car until it burns up though, because it's paid for and also it's more eco friendly than buying a new car, even if it's more efficient :D

Thanks for the clarification, there. I forgot you ordered zip-close bags by the case. Smart cookie! And I do appreciate your honesty and transparency. 'Tis the new way of doing business I think...

I actually do reuse zip-close bags, because I always pack some kind of nut/fruit trail mix type stuff in my lunchbox. I just turn it inside out shake out any crumbs. Eventually I do throw them away - but a pack of 100 snack baggies lasts me nearly a year. If it's something that requires rinsing, then yes, I also toss it. *blushes* Nobody's perfect ;)
 
Personally I'd prefer the plastic zip bags for freshness & ease of use. I do reuse some bags since I'm too cheap to buy them often & recycle most things (my husband drives a Prius, proximity smug? lol)
I find the paper tie bags a bit of a PITA & if it's something I use often I end up dumping it into a plastic bag (the kind that needs a twistie) after the paper rips or tie comes off. Plus fish related stuff is always getting wet at my house, not good for paper.
 
Good point about them getting wet. I picture myself keeping the ingredients in the kitchen, where I am always taking dripping wet things (filters, nets) ;) Glad to hear I am not the only one!
 
I hadn't thought about the wetness issue. Good point.

I'm out of the smaller size of poly bags, but I still have several hundred of the larger ones. I think for the time being I'll just use the ones I have. Maybe down the road I'll look into the biodegradable plastic bags.

Thanks everyone for your input!
 
I'd say go with the packaging you want to use and leave it at that. I wouldn't even broach the subject to ask your buyers to decide this for you every time someone wants to buy something. Keep the transaction simple for them.

If there's extra cost, though, I'd either eat the cost myself or factor that in to the item sale price per portion sold. I do that with my other shipping materials/handling/Paypal fees/etc. instead of charging a separate fee for those to the buyer. That way the buyer pays actual shipping cost as postage they can check themselves and not have to wonder instead whether I'm charging some fudged shipping price that includes other stuff they don't know about.

(Incidentally, I've also moved the thread to Gen Chit Chat since this isn't unique to freshwater and it's not a fishkeeping subject.)
 
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Kashta said:
I'd say go with the packaging you want to use and leave it at that. I wouldn't even broach the subject to ask your buyers to decide this for you every time someone wants to buy something. Keep the transaction simple for them.

If there's extra cost, though, I'd either eat the cost myself or factor that in to the item sale price per portion sold. I do that with my other shipping materials/handling/Paypal fees/etc. instead of charging a separate fee for those to the buyer. That way the buyer pays actual shipping cost as postage they can check themselves and not have to wonder instead whether I'm charging some fudged shipping price that includes other stuff they don't know about.
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Thank you for the thoughtful input. I really appreciate the advice from an experienced seller, such as yourself. When I run low on the bags I have, I'll certainly keep this in mind.


Kashta said:
(Incidentally, I've also moved the thread to Gen Chit Chat since this isn't unique to freshwater and it's not a fishkeeping subject.)
Click to expand...

Thanks! :)
 
As a working man and considering the economy we are in, I would prefer the cheaper option.

I too have been known to reuse zip lock style bags, however, there is no getting around people are going to throw stuff away, even recyclables.

I used to have recycle bins for the trash but sometimes it is a big PITA just trying to do that.

They have to be out at specific times of the month etc. If life gets in the way, which it usually does, then you end up with a garage full of full bins waiting for the next pick up.
 
go green! Although im not one to talk, i can't manage to walk to the donut shop, i wanted to take the car :) Anyway, if you have the choice, go green.
 
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