Looking for green solutions for my business

[Kittycat]

We're doing our best to be green, when it comes to packaging, supplies etc. But I need to make some changes, so we present our products in a more professional manner to our customers. I'm an e-tailer, and I've been re-using boxes, and paying retail for many other green & recycled products (which is cost prohibitive). I recently found out about CareMail (green packaging products), but I'm interested in finding out what other companies out there offer green packaging products. U-Line is local for us, but short of starch peanuts, we really have few total solution products to pick from.

I'm looking for a wholesale source for:
Boxes, Tape, Paper, Labels, Printed Tape, Bags, Product protective wraps, etc. I'd also like to find a good waterproof solution for the cloth diapers & fabric we ship. I use polymailers for those right now, but I'd love to find a more environmentally friendly solution. I'll admit, being from the midwest, I'm not as well educated as I could be - which is why I'm seeking some guidance here.

[phantom power]

1. Google sez:

http://www.ecoendure.com/?gclid=CKbWs8CrmZECFRIUiQodlikDHw

http://www.kwwpaper.com/prod_environ.html

http://dir.yahoo.com/Business_and_Economy/Business_to_Business/Packaging/Eco_Friendly/

There were more entries. My search was "recycled packing materials"

[Kittycat]

2. Most of those won't work... However.

From the KWW link, it mentions PLA Film. I'm googling that now, to see if I can find someone that carries mailers in a larger size. That would be perfect for us.

[Bruce McAuley]

3. Flat Rate Priority boxes and envelopes from the Post Office?

They have the advantage of being free, and a good deal if you fill them up above about 3 or 4 pounds. Even the envelopes can be crammed full, as long as the flap closes and seals, according to my postmaster.
How green are they?
I don't know...

Bruce

[ConcernedCanuk]

4. Thinking out of the box here

.
.
.

How about offering a discount/refund/credit to your customers who return the packaging to you?

Most of them would just throw it away, albeit some would recycle.

Wouldn't cost much to return the packaging EMPTY.

Including return postage would be cheaper than replacing the packaging, no?

And you would be Reducing, Recycling AND Reusing.

'Bout as green as you could get methinks.

and unique!

[phantom power]

5. kind of like the NetFlix model.