The phrase “think outside the box” should be taken literally when it comes to packaging. For many shipments, traditional corrugated boxes are not the easiest or most cost-effective method of packaging. However, many companies still use bulky boxes to ship their goods to customers.

Corrugated boxes serve many purposes and have been a shipping necessity since they were first mass-produced more than 100 years ago. While boxes still stand the test of time for certain tasks, today's modern shipping environment demands a better solution - one that is lighter in weight, easier to pack and ship, and more environmentally responsible than corrugated boxes plan. The ideal shipping solution for modern e-commerce is shipping mail.

Here are 5 reasons companies should think outside the box and put their shipments in the mailer:

Save on shipping! Shipping is a huge expense for eCommerce companies. Mailers significantly reduce the weight of DIMs because they are lighter and smaller than boxes. When you calculate the savings from hundreds or thousands of shipments, mailers can cut shipping costs dramatically.

Lower carbon footprint. At first glance, corrugated boxes may appear to be more environmentally friendly than plastic mailing bags, but the numbers tell a different story. Corrugated boxes use 19 times more energy, produce 106 times more carbon dioxide, use 152 times more water, and generate 13 times more solid waste than plastic mailing bags. Learn more about which sustainable mailer packaging is the greenest here.

Reduce packaging time and effort. A shortage of workers has left warehouses understaffed. Companies are trying to fill more orders with fewer workers. Poly mailer bags can be processed and packed much faster than corrugated boxes. The average worker can pack 30-50 boxes per hour, but in the same amount of time, they can pack 60-90 plastic mailers. With cored mailers, efficiency goes even further – up to 20%!

Improve customer satisfaction. Your customers don't have to deal with tons of leftover cardboard, or buy shipping tape to box their returns. The light, simple nature of the mailer made it popular. They open quickly and, when equipped with a double peel and seal, are easily resealable and reusable.

They're more recyclable than you might think. People sometimes say they prefer corrugated boxes over plastic mailing bags because they are recyclable. But poly mailing bags are also recyclable at thousands of recycling stations across the country. In fact, the eco mailer is curbside recyclable, so customers can recycle the mail at home for added convenience.

In fact, even plastic mailing bags are more environmentally friendly than boxes. Not only that, but there is now a padded mailer made from a similar biodegradable material as the box, but in a lightweight and versatile style. Eco mailer s generate less waste than boxes, are cheaper to ship, and are made from eco-friendly materials that can be recycled in curbside bins.

If you're ready to get your product out of the box and into the mailer, we can help.