Packaging for used sets

Djblythe05

In an age where so many people seem rightly concerned about the amount of wasted plastic going to landfill (if even that) I was wondering what people thought was a good alternative for packaging up pieces for sale before postage? I have used up all the zip lock bags I previously had saved from old purchases, is it worth the expense to buy compostable zip lock bags? Would recycled paper bags be acceptable? Do I need to accept the guilt of being a cheapskate and buying more ziplock bags that will pollute the world?

DB361

I've bought from a couple of Bricklink sellers that reuse and reseal the bags that come inside Lego sets. Not sure what equipment is needed to properly reseal them (it's not a sellotape job), but it might be a route worth looking at.

CCC

I wouldn't bother with compostable bags. They normally are not compostable unless sent to a waste treatment facility.

bricknation

However you look at it, your packaging needs to look presentable. Think: "would I be happy to receive my order packaged this way?"
I wouldn't like to get my order in an used paper sandwich bag.

dmcc0

just had a flashback to the "using lego bags as sandwich bags" thread......

oldtodd33

Better than the used paper towels I once got for packing. 

SumoLego

dmcc0 said:

just had a flashback to the "using lego bags as sandwich bags" thread......

I prefer PaB cups.  And they're good for soup.

SprinkleOtter

I commonly get used grocery bags as packing material. Thanks for sending me your garbage!

pxchris

Those plastic grocery bags actually work really great for packing material I think. I don't mind getting packages with them at all, much better than just empty space in the box for things to shift around in.

CCC

dmcc0 said:

just had a flashback to the "using lego bags as sandwich bags" thread......

Using LEGO as sandwiches has already been done:

So I am still waiting for the using sandwiches as LEGO thread. Has anyone built something good from a pile of sandwiches?

bricknation

CCC said:

So I am still waiting for the using sandwiches as LEGO thread. Has anyone built something good from a pile of sandwiches?

found the perfect sandwiches for that project:

On another note. If "Held der Steine" logo was infringing on TLG IP then their legal department should be allover this one

Pitfall69

I am positive that the bags I use to package used sets are reused by the person getting the sets. I know I reuse the bags and I'm sure I've gotten some of my bags back when I make trades with other Bricksetters :)

SprinkleOtter

CCC said:

dmcc0 said:

just had a flashback to the "using lego bags as sandwich bags" thread......

Using LEGO as sandwiches has already been done:

So I am still waiting for the using sandwiches as LEGO thread. Has anyone built something good from a pile of sandwiches?

Hot dogs and chicken wings sometimes count as sandwiches, so I'm going to go ahead and count twinkies in there.

Switchfoot55

^The best part about this picture is it's not even from one of Shia Lebeouf's movies. That's just him in real life doing what he does. 

TheFew

How about using old b-grade Lego to pack the Lego you are selling?

SprinkleOtter

Switchfoot55 said:

^The best part about this picture is it's not even from one of Shia Lebeouf's movies. That's just him in real life doing what he does. 

If I hadn't already seen the movie (a few times actually- it should go in the good-bad movies thread), I would definitely believe you...

Alfredthebuttler

As a buyer, I appreciate reuse, whether it’s an old ziplock bag (which I can also reuse), a shopping bag so long as it doesn’t have sauce from your Chinese food, or a numbered Lego bag from a set with a bit of scotch tape used to seal it, or a popped bubble from your last Amazon order. 

I wouldn’t just switch to paper. Yes it’s better than plastic, but it comes from cutting down trees, and manufacturing paper creates a lot of pollution. 

Think reuse, and it would be great if I too could reuse it as well!

Thanks for thinking of the Earth!!!

Pitfall69

I'm going to start marking my baggies to see if I get them back at some point :)

ryjay

I think we will start seeing more compostable bags in the future as  manufacturers find ways for them to compost quicker.  As CCC mentioned, they do need to go to a commercial compost facility, but even at many commercial facilities they do not compost fast enough and therefore go to garbage.   But I think that will change.....hopefully.

Also, poly bags are recyclable  and can be repurposed into other bags and films...as long as other non recyclable material arent' introduced into the poly

SumoLego

Pitfall69 said:

I've gotten some of my bags back when I make trades with other Bricksetters :)

Sometimes you even trade back the sets that originally came in those bags.

piratemania7

SumoLego said:

Pitfall69 said:

I've gotten some of my bags back when I make trades with other Bricksetters :)

Sometimes you even trade back the sets that originally came in those bags.

That’s just confusing.