Sustainable Poshmark Packaging Ideas

As a reseller, I’ve come across almost every possible way to ship a package. It’s nearly Earth Month, and why not get started early with sharing some fun, easy, and more importantly, eco-friendly ways to ship your items. Before we jump in, I want to remind you of the three R’s: reduce, reuse, recycle. I’ll take you though some Poshmark packaging ideas, but really they translate to any online business.

Use What You Have

This might seem obvious, but the number one thing you can do to ship your items, and you probably already are, is use what you have. My neighbors and family know I run an online business and save their materials for me to pick up when I can. Second to what you already own, I would highly recommend checking out the Next Door app, Facebook Marketplace and your local Buy Nothing group for supplies. You can post an add detailing what kind of mailers or boxes you’re looking for and ask your community to leave unwanted materials available on their porch for pick up!

Poshmark allows you to ship with any Priority Flat Rate or Regional Rate package, as well as unmarked mailers, Amazon boxes, etc, as long as it is not a Priority Express box or mailer, up to 5lbs, which is why using any secondhand box you have works just fine!

EcoEnclose

There are a number of “sustainable packaging” suppliers who will offer “compostable” mailers, but I would encourage you to check out this post about compostable mailers before considering those. When I’m fresh out of secondary packing supplies, I purchase these Kraft paper mailers from EcoEnclose. (I have no affiliation, I just love their products and ethos.) They also offer protective packaging materials which is great if you sell breakables like mugs or glassware.

Big Eco-friendly Thank You

We’ve talked about the outside of the box, now let’s talk about what’s inside! I personally like to thank my buyers with a thank you card. For me, I purchase Postcards from Vistaprint in Recycled stock paper with a design on front and back. My cards have text on one side and a photo of my dress form on the back which allows the card to be used as artwork after it’s received.

If you want to make your own thank you card it can be something as simple as mine or as crafty as cutting up an old book and collaging it, or having your kids watercolor as an activity one day and then using those pieces for notecards!

You can also find old postcards or blank cards at the thrift store which can be a low cost way to make your packaging unique and waste to a minimum.

Surprise and Delight

You could just plop a dress into a box and send it on its way, sure, but if you want to stand out or add some extra flare to your packaging, you should make sure the item arrives as though it was packed with patience and care.

For me, I have tried using lots of different things but to streamline my own process, I have a large roll of Kraft Paper from EcoEnclose and I seal it with Washi tape or twine. It arrives secured within its packaging, and has an easy, neutral look I like.

Something I have heard in opposition to this method is that items could get wet and damaged this way, without a plastic lining, and in all my years of my reselling, I have never (as far as I know) had a package damaged in transit wrapping items in this way.

Get Scrappy

Some other ideas for scraps that could be great for packages could look like:

Fabric scraps: go to the thrift store or looking through your pile of old clothes, old pillowcases or stained skirts and cut stripes of fabric that could be used for wrapping.

Crochet or knitting yarn: this can be found at thrift stores or in all the usual places (Buy Nothing, Facebook Marketplace, Next Door) where people might be getting rid of old craft supplies. Rather than buying new, you can almost certainly find some secondhand for your packages!

Deadstock materials: On Etsy and eBay you may find some cast off or left over fabric scraps or deadstock fabric. I’ve purchased these bundles before for small projects, but who says you can’t turn it into “wrapping paper” or strips for bundles.

Wrapping Paper: You can also find old wrapping paper at thrift stores and estate sales! You will especially find holiday or event decorated paper!