The easier it is for your customer to recycle your packaging, the more potential it has to live on and be remade into something new. But some of the most sustainable packaging never even hits the recycling bin. When you can design packaging with a second life, you not only cutting down on waste, but you have a lasting brand element to represent your product on social media. Here are some ideas for reusable packaging with staying power from brands that are making the most of it.
This roundup includes inspiration from some of our favorite companies and designers around the web. Unless specified, these designs are not made by Lumi.
Tubby Todd's Muslin Bags
This baby bath brand has new seasonal scents every few months. To promote each one, they use seasonal, custom muslin bags from Lumi as inner packaging. Moms on the go not only appreciate the new scents, but the branded cloth bags for all the baby stuff they have to tote around.
Images via Tubby Todd.
Glossier's Signature Pink Bubble Pouch
This is probably the most famous second life packaging there is. These clever bubble zip pouches were initially just meant to keep beauty products sealed in transit, but they got so popular that Glossier started selling them separately for a short time! By having a little fun with otherwise bland bubble wrap and adding a zip for function, Glossier junkies around the world keep these pink bubble pouches as makeup bags, toiletry kits, or clutch bags.
Images via Glossier, @prettytrippy, @antoncereza, and @andicross.
An Paper Tube that Doubles as a Pot
Buying seeds is typically a pot-sold-separately situation, but what if your seeds came in a planter? It's a super simple, streamlined idea that saves packaging and makes life easier for the customer. Without having to buy additional supplies to start planting, all that stands between the customer and their windowsill garden is a bit of sunlight and water.
Project via Ryan Romanes.
Rothy's Returnable Box and Signature Blue Bags
A return trip counts as a second life too. There are multiple ways to equip your packaging for a return trip to make returns easier on your customer. Rothy's opts for an adhesive strip to reseal the box and a tear strip so it isn't destroyed when it's opened. Bonus points: Instead of shipping a shoebox inside their box, they use silky, blue custom bags to live on long after they protect the shoes in transit.
Images via Rothy's and @petitemodern.
The Rockets of Awesome Coloring Box
This kids clothing subscription delivers new duds monthly in a coloring box. Talk about knowing your audience. The activity on the box keeps kids occupied (for a second anyway) and the clothes inside save moms a trip to the mall.
Images via Rockets of Awesome, Laybaylay, @jiujenjitsu, @missleaanne.
Moyha's giftable custom box
The branding on the exterior of these custom boxes is strategically minimal. Home brand Moyha designed them so that they're easy to reuse as a gift box later. Under the lid, they encourage customers to reuse the boxes, and they even include a special gift tag.
Images via Moyha
If you're looking for morer ways to make your packaging easier on the planet, check out our episode of Shipping Things on recyclable packaging.
