Why Your Made In Hemp Order Might Arrive in Reused Plastic

You order something lovely from Made In Hemp. Your parcel arrives, you open it, and there it is: a plastic bag. Maybe a little bubble wrap, too.

From a hemp business that talks about sustainability, that might seem a little unexpected. Where is the beautifully folded tissue paper? The matching packaging? The perfectly coordinated unboxing moment?

We do love a beautiful parcel. But we also love getting another use out of something that already exists. And sometimes, those two ideas look a little different.

The psychology of a beautiful parcel

There is something satisfying about opening a beautifully presented order. Crisp tissue paper, a lovely box, a carefully placed sticker. It feels thoughtful, and we understand why people enjoy it.

Earthy colours, paper textures and an “eco” message can also feel reassuring. Before we know much about how the packaging was produced or where it will end up, it already looks like a good choice.

A reused plastic bag has a harder job. It might be creased. It might carry a supplier’s branding. It probably isn’t winning any unboxing awards.

Yet choosing to use it again can be a very deliberate decision.

That is where the conversation gets interesting: how much of our reaction comes from the material itself, and how much comes from what we have learned a sustainable parcel should look like?

The packaging arrives before your order does

Most of the clothing we receive from our suppliers comes individually protected in a plastic bag.

Annoying? Yes. We would love to see fewer unnecessary materials coming through the supply chain.

Those bags do have a practical role, though. They help protect garments during transport, handling and storage. By the time a shirt reaches our shelves, its protective bag already exists.

Some suppliers have moved to compostable alternatives, which we are pleased to see being explored. These bring their own considerations, including storage conditions and a limited usable shelf life for some materials.

For example, Hero Packaging advises an approximate shelf life of nine to twelve months for its compostable mailers when stored under the recommended conditions. That is worth considering when packaging or the products inside it may spend time in storage.

Protection, cost, efficiency, storage and disposal all play a part. There is plenty to think about beyond the label on the bag.

Once it is here, what should we do with it?

At our end, we have a choice.

We can discard a usable supplier bag and rewrap your clothing in freshly purchased, beautifully branded packaging. Or we can keep that bag in circulation and give it another job protecting your order.

For us, using what we already have is often the practical choice.

Removing the original bag would make the plastic less visible to you, but it would still exist somewhere behind the scenes. Adding a new layer of packaging does not change that.

Confessions of a bubble wrap collector

The same thinking applies to bubble wrap, and this is where things get a little personal.

Our store manager, Bronwyn, is currently converting a shed into a home. Along with the household purchases comes a fairly impressive supply of protective packaging.

Suitable bubble wrap gets saved for our online orders. Friends save theirs too. Once people discover you have a use for it, becoming the local bubble wrap collector happens surprisingly quickly.

We are quite happy with that arrangement.

Something that protected a household purchase can still have plenty of life left to protect your order. If it is clean, suitable and doing its job, we are glad to give it another outing.

Plenty of care, even without the matching tissue paper

Presentation matters, but so does what happens while we are putting your parcel together.

Choosing suitable wrapping, protecting the contents and packing an order thoughtfully all take care. A reused bag does not change how pleased we are that you have chosen to shop with us.

We want opening your parcel to feel good. We want your purchase to arrive safely, ready to wear, use or give to someone you love.

Sometimes that means your wrapping has a few creases or your protective packaging does not match. We hope knowing the story behind it brings a little extra enjoyment to opening your order.

Does reusing packaging save money? Yes!

Reusing materials can also reduce what we spend on new packaging. We think that is a perfectly worthwhile part of the conversation.

Running a family business involves balancing costs, time, product protection and environmental considerations every day. Sometimes those priorities pull in different directions. Sometimes they line up rather nicely.

Making use of suitable packaging already on hand is one of those occasions. Every parcel does not need a newly purchased layer or a logo on every surface to feel considered.

What about our Australia Post satchels?

The outer packaging matters too. The Australia Post prepaid satchels we use are made with 80% post-consumer recycled plastic, according to Australia Post, and are designed for its delivery network.

Recycled content does not make packaging impact-free. It does give us something useful to consider alongside durability and protecting your purchase on its journey.

Could it have another adventure with you?

If your packaging is still in good condition, perhaps there is another job waiting for it.

• Save a suitable bag for posting a parcel of your own.
• Keep bubble wrap for a move or a fragile gift.
• Use protective wrapping when storing something delicate.

When it is no longer useful, check the disposal options for the particular material.

Thankfully, soft-plastic collection has returned at participating Australian locations, including selected Woolworths stores. Availability and accepted materials vary, so check the current guidance before taking your packaging along.

You can find participating stores and collection instructions on the Woolworths soft-plastic recycling page. Check each material separately: compostable bags are not accepted in those soft-plastic collection bins.

A thoughtfully packed parcel can look a little different

We will keep looking for ways to reduce unnecessary packaging and make sensible choices as materials and collection systems change.

For now, that includes making good use of suitable materials already in our hands.

So your clothing might arrive in a supplier’s bag. Your order might be cushioned by bubble wrap saved from a household delivery. The pieces might not match, but someone has taken the time to put them together with care.