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Ecommerce Packaging Guide

Ecommerce Packaging Guide:
Enhancing Customer Experience

Nothing influences a customer's first impressions and perception of product quality more than product packaging. Customers expect their product packaging to be environmentally conscious and to provide a memorable unboxing experience. Bonus points if your product packaging can help you reduce costs, improve profit margins, and reduce your carbon footprint.

customer-friendly-ecommerce-packaging-guide

If you perfect your product packaging, your target market and new customers will start to associate your commerce packaging with your brand. For example, Tiffany has become synonymous with its blue packaging materials, and brands like Glossier have made their commerce packaging part of their customer's online shopping experience.

Simply put, your retail packaging can help solidify your brand identity, which is why it's so important to create commerce packaging that's the right fit for your small businesses.

Factors to consider in ecommerce packaging

When it comes to perfecting your ecommerce packaging, there are a few things to consider. Depending on what your e commerce business sells, some of these custom packaging solutions and features will be more important than others.

Functionality and protective packaging

If you're a packaging company that ships fragile items, you'll need to choose packaging materials and designs that will ensure the safe transit of products. This includes adding features like bubble wrap, foam inserts, and padded mailers when you create packaging. Other things to consider include using a padded envelope or adding extra tissue paper and environmentally friendly packing peanuts to your ecommerce packaging.

At the end of the day, better packaging is ecommerce packaging made from recycled materials that's cost effective and protects what's inside from damage during transit. Your packaging supplies should be efficient and durable.

protective ecommerce packaging solution Ecommerce Packaging Guide

Branding and unboxing experience
(+ frustration free packaging)

One of the best ways to boost customer retention and help stimulate repeat purchases is to focus on creating a positive unboxing experience for your customers. You should make sure this unboxing experience aligns with your brand's identity and will foster customer engagement. Use frustration free packaging, ensure your production and shipping process is seamless, and consider using custom printed tissue paper to ship products. Throw in a few extra stickers as an added bonus!

It's small details like this that can make the unboxing experience memorable, creating a positive impression, enhancing perceived value, and improving customer loyalty.

Sustainable and eco-friendly packaging materials & practices

Let's face it: customers are caring more and more about brands using and creating packaging that's eco-friendly and sustainable. Use packaging supplies or a poly mailer that's recyclable or compostable (i.e., Kraft paper), and offer customers the option to offset the carbon impacts of the delivery process. Many customers are willing to spend a little more on shipping costs if it means their custom packaging isn't negatively impacting the environment.

Other things to consider include using recycled paper, leveraging a nearby fulfillment center, and using recycled materials in lieu of bubble wrap or bulky protective packaging.

eco-friendly-ecommerce-packaging-material

Weight of your custom boxes and packaging options

One of the biggest things many ecommerce brands are trying to do is to reduce weight to get their shipping boxes and other packaging options into flat rate shipping tiers. For example, the maximum weight for USPS first class packaging is 13 oz. This dimensional weight limit includes the packaging, and this is one of the hidden costs of the shipping and packaging process.

We can help ensure that the packaging solution our packaging specialists create for you won't weigh more than you intend it to.

Best practices in ecommerce packaging

If you're engaging with a packaging expert to help you design and create your e commerce ready packaging, here are a few things to keep in mind as you create your packaging solutions.

Optimize the size

As mentioned, you'll want to make sure the weight of your custom box doesn't cost you more in shipping costs. Your packaging partner should ask you things about how much space you'll need in your packaging boxes and poly mailers, so they can work with you to maximize this space. Do you really need bubble wrap? Should you use corrugated packaging? These are all good questions to ask!

custom-size-and-weight-ecommerce-packaging

Personalization and customization of e commerce packaging

This is perhaps the "most fun" part of the packaging process. Successful ecommerce packaging leverages digital printing and professional graphic design to ensure their poly mailer and packaging boxes act as free advertising for their brand. Make sure to incorporate brand colors into the corrugated boxes! Think of this phase of the custom printing process as a chance to use your ecommerce packaging to improve brand loyalty.

You can add a logo, incorporate brand colors throughout the packaging, and add text wherever you'd like on the packaging.

Material selection and recyclability

You'll need to be extra careful when selecting corrugated boxes and poly mailers for your commerce packaging. All of your packaging supplies and packaging solutions should be environmentally conscious. Tyvek envelopes may be ultra durable and puncture resistant, but is this type of commerce packaging necessary for every product you sell? Don't forget to focus on sustainability as you think about printing: should you use digital printing or printing plates? How big do your shipping boxes and commerce packaging really need to be?

Get started with CarePac

As you can see, thoughtful and strategic packaging is essential for the success of your brand. Integrating sustainability into your packaging practices is as important as it's ever been, as customers expect a certain level of environmental responsibility from the brands they trust. We encourage all ecommerce businesses to prioritize the customer experience and environmental responsibility in their packaging choices.

At Carepac, we have decades of experience working with companies of all sizes to create the packaging of their dreams. Contact us today to learn more about our customization, design, and printing process.

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Sustainable Packaging

Recyclable Packaging

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Recyclable Packaging

Seven Recyclable Packaging Options to Consider For Your Business

When it comes to keeping your brand current with your customers, one area you need to focus on is your eco friendly packaging options, including compostable packaging, reusable packaging, and sustainable packaging. As climate change continues to impact our everyday lives, many consumers avoid using products that don't come in sustainable packaging and prefer to reduce plastic waste throughout the supply chain and life cycle of their product.

In this blog, we'll discuss the different eco friendly packaging materials companies should consider providing to their consumers, along with a few tips for how you can promote a lower carbon footprint. Whether you opt for compostable packaging, reusable packaging, or some other kind of eco friendly packaging, we're proud your brand is taking the next step in packaging sustainability.

Popular Recyclable Packaging Materials

If you're curious about what your options are for sustainable packaging materials, we'll highlight some of the most common used by companies below. Just remember: when it comes to environmentally friendly packaging, any step your brand and your consumers can take towards reducing single use plastic packaging is a step in the right (and sustainable) direction.

Boxes with gummed paper tape

If your business is currently using boxes with plastic packaging tape, did you know that technically you cannot recycle paper and plastic together? You can improve your packaging sustainability by opting for gummed paper tape instead of plastic tape. Since all parts of the package are made from paper, they are really easy to recycle. If your business wants to focus on sustainable shipping, using this method and then using climate credits to offset the carbon footprint created by your business should be considered.

Kraft paper mailers

Using Kraft paper mailers is sustainable packaging 101. Since these packaging solutions are made out of regular paper, using them to send things to your customers can have a positive, collective impact on the environment. Businesses that use Kraft mailers for shipping products to customers include fast fashion, online shopping retailers, and large businesses that send a lot of contracts or paper products in the mail. In addition to Kraft paper, you can also look into using compostable mailers for shipping products.

Crinkle paper

If you currently use plastic or bubble wrap to pad your corrugated boxes, consider switching to biodegradable packing peanuts or crinkle paper. Both are considered to be an eco friendly packaging material, and they'll reduce the environmental footprint of your business. Natural resources, like beechwood trees and similar raw material, are dwindling, so any time you can use biodegradable or compostable packaging is an opportunity you should take advantage of.

Biaxially Oriented Polyethylene Film (BOPE)

The need for more environmentally friendly packaging intersects perfectly with the high-quality recyclable options that biaxially oriented polyethylene film pouches offer. BOPE is a clear material with two layers of oriented and processed Polyethylene. Printable, and convertible into Stand up pouches, and box bottom bags, this film is an environmentally friendly packaging option that may be accepted in municipal and commercial recycling programs.

Recycled packaging

Think outside the box and use recycled packaging materials in lieu of plastics when shipping items to customers. For example, skip the plastic packing peanuts and use paper you shred yourself. Businesses around the world struggle with paper waste -- why not get your office papers professionally shredded, keep the bags of shredded paper, and use them to line boxes or produce bags? Customers will be sure to appreciate that they're working with a sustainable business.

Cornstarch and mushroom packaging

Cornstarch and mushroom packaging are the newest eco friendly packaging option to hit the environmentally friendly packaging industry, and both are perfect examples of sustainable packaging solutions. Both are considered to be biodegradable packaging, since they can be broken down in a commercial or home compost environment, similar to regular paper. If your goal is to keep plastics out of the landfill, this flexible packaging option is among the best.

Cellulose packaging

Popular among a large portion of food brands, cellulose packaging is made from natural and sustainable sources like hemp, wood, and cotton. This packaging material is biodegradable, making it the perfect sustainable packaging alternative to plastic.

CarePac: Your Eco Friendly Packaging Partner

If your search for sustainable packaging has brought you to CarePac, we're honored that you'd consider us to be your eco friendly packaging partner. Our business model focuses exclusively on packaging, and we're making a huge push for more of our boxes and bags to use biodegradable, recyclable, and sustainable materials. If sustainability of the packaging industry is on your mind, you can rest assured that it's on our mind, too.

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Case Studies

Case Study: CarePac’s Flexible Barrier Packaging Enhances Sustainability and Shelf Life for Goodness Granola

Enhancing Sustainability and Shelf Life

In the competitive Cereal and Granola market vertical standing out from the crowd in both terms of taste and marketing is a vital element of any brands success. With pressure from retail partners, and consumers for fresh tasting granola in a environmentally friendly packaging solution it’s no wonder that many brands focus on trade offs such as “we’ll go for ecofriendly but give up shelf life” but diminished shelf life can create all kinds of headaches.

This case study highlights how the startup brand Goodness granola makes the decision with the help of CarePac’s leading team of packaging experts. to address these challenges by adopting flexible barrier packaging. This sustainable packaging solution not only improved the product's shelf life but also aligned with the company's commitment to environmental responsibility.

Origin of the Idea

Goodness Granola popped into the founder’s head one afternoon while she was hungry and needed a quick fulfilling snack. It was a “why not me” kind of moment she said. A simple plan was hatched, to source high-quality ingredients and maintaining a sustainable approach to business.

Challenge

Goodness Granola face a couple of big challenges. The interplay between being eco-friendly and maintaining what the consumer ultimately wants: a fresh great tasting product.

Shelf life: They soon discovered that to have any impact, and gain traction they needed good shelf life, even the best ingredients get stale if not stored in a sealed containers with low migration rates of oxygen and moisture.

Eco-friendly materials are still maturing: The company was exploring using various eco-friendly materials but found most lacking in relation to print quality, and shelf life.

shelf life illustration Case Study: CarePac's Flexible Barrier Packaging Enhances Sustainability and Shelf Life for Goodness Granola

Solution

Goodness Granola decided to collaborate with CarePac and use CarePac CareCompost-PVP metalized PLA based material.

The reasons were

A lower cost point than metalized cellulose.
Higher Barrier than standard PLA.
Biodegradable.
High quality print options with plate printing
Matte Finish

Conclusion

Goodness Ltd.'s partnership with CarePac and the adoption of flexible barrier packaging have proven to be a game changer. By addressing their shelf life challenges while also enhancing sustainability, the company is off to a great start. This case study demonstrates how strategic packaging choices can lead to improved product performance, customer satisfaction, and sustainability goals, ultimately benefitting both the company and its customers.

Food Industry Packaging

SQF Certification

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SQF Certification

What is SQF Certification

If you're unfamiliar, SQF is a set of food safety and quality recommendations that impact the entire supply chain of food products, including companies that process and pack food products. At this time, SQF code and SQF certification does not include pet food or treat manufacturers, but the SQF system and SQF code does offer safety and quality standard to food packaging companies like CarePac.

In this blog, you'll learn more about this global food safety initiative, the SQF code, and how this certification body aims to reduce food safety risks through its proprietary food safety plan and innovative SQF certification program.

SQF Meaning

What does SQF stand for? It stands for "Safe Quality Food" and it's a global food safety initiative that focuses on, you guessed it, food safety and quality. Regardless of where you are on the food supply chain or who you work for in the food industry, this SQF food safety program will impact you in one way or another. It's a high quality program that is respected by numerous food packaging and producers of food products around the world, and many strive to adhere to SQF code as closely as possible.

About the Safe Quality Food Institute

Often shortened to SQFI, the Safe Quality Food Institute is a division of FMI, and was established to administer the SQF program. Their mission as a certification body is to deliver consistent, globally recognized food safety standards for the entire food industry, regardless of where you fall on the food chain. From verifying the food safety management at retail stores to ensuring good agricultural practices, the principles of SQFI can be applied across all industry sectors.

About FMI

FMI is short for the "Food Marketing Institute" and is an organization that works on behalf of the entire industry to promote a safer, healthier, and more efficient consumer food supply. The Safe Quality Food SQF is a division of the FMI.

How to Get This Food Safety Certification

If you've decided to start your journey towards SQF certification, we would first like to congratulate you on taking an interest in the safe quality food program. This shows your commitment to good manufacturing practices and by implementing food safety management systems you can ensure food safety for your customers.

SQF Certification Steps

To get SQF certified by the SQF system, follow the below steps:

Learn about the food safety standard code

First, you will want to spend plenty of time researching this rigorous food safety code. By studying the SWF code, you'll be prepared for everything this food safety system expects of you. From implementing a food safety management system, to learning more about the certification body, ask plenty of questions and consider meeting with a company that's SQF certified to learn more about their experience and opinion of the food certification process.

Pay special attention to SQF food safety codes, what food manufacturers can expect from the initial certification audit, and what the SQF certification process is like.

Register for SQF certification

Next, you will want to register for certification. This involves contacting an SQF practitioner and letting them know that you're interested in SQF certification. They'll briefly discuss the SQF program and will walk you through the steps of achieving SQF certification.

At this point, you'll want to ask them questions about their internal audits, as preparing for the certification audit is step 3.

Prepare for your SQF audit

In order to be SQF certified, you will need to pass the the SQF audit. Many food companies struggle with meeting the SQF code requirements, which is why learning about the SQF programs, meeting with other certified companies, and potentially getting your hands on an audit report is so important.

Before your SQAF audit, you should have a food safety program implemented at your organization, be familiar with SQF code, ensure the proper training of your staff, and make sure you meet all regulatory requirements for foodservice providers worldwide.

Additionally, you should show a commitment to continuous improvement and adherence to all globally recognized standards.

Schedule and conduct the SQF audit

Once you feel confident that your organization's food safety programs and food safety management system is up to snuff, you'll want to schedule your SQF audit with a qualified SQF practitioner. They'll review your quality management system, food manufacturing processes, and food safety standards to ensure they comply with what's required by the SQF food safety program.

If you don't earn your SQAF certification the first time around, the SQF practitioner will provide valuable feedback so you can make improvements and become SQF certified down the line.

Renew your certification from this global food safety initiative

Food safety is a serious concern, and the SQF program is well aware that getting an initial certification is not enough. The certification program requires frequent certification re-audits, as the SQF assessment database is frequently updated. SQF certification is valid for one year. To ensure your SQF certification remains active, please remember to re-register in the SQF Assessment Database and schedule your SQF audits every year.

If you're hoping to earn SQF certification once and hope to never deal with the SQF institute again, this is not how the SQF program works. The SQF program is a certification program that focuses on a lifelong commitment to "safe quality foods", so annual SQF food safety and SQF certification audits are required.

renew-your-certification-from-global-food-safety-initiative

Food Safety Code: Manufacture
of Food Packaging

At CarePac, our SQF certification goal is to earn and maintain our SQF certification on an annual basis. The food safety and quality standards we're required to meet focus on food packaging companies, specifically. We take SQF certification seriously and are committed to adhering to food safety and quality guidelines on an ongoing basis. Whether through a prerequisite program, a pre assessment audit, or any other type of inspection, we are dedicated to the quality food SQF program.

In addition to food safety, we are also committed to the environment. To learn more about our sustainable packaging options, click here.

SQF Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are a few FAQs about the SQF certification:

How much does it cost to get SQF certified?

Typically, the audit alone will cost between $7,300 and $9,000, before travel fees.

What are the 3 principles of the SQF certification?

The three principles of SQF certification are

To produce safe, quality food products,
Comply with various SQF code requirements, and
Comply with all relevant food legislation.

How long does it take to get SQF certified?

The audit itself only takes a few days, but preparing for the audit can take weeks, months, or years.

Who needs SQF certification?

Since it is a voluntary certification, nobody technically "needs" the certification. But, if you're a food manufacturer, retailer, or food packaging provider, becoming SQF certified will reduce the risk of a supply chain issue that could result in a recall, litigation, or other financial impacts.

What is the highest SQF certification?

If you want to ensure your products meet the highest possible standards, aim for SQF Level 3 certification.

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Sachet vs Stick Pack Packaging

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Sachet vs Stick Pack Packaging

Sachet vs Stick Pack Packaging

Despite the rhetoric against single serve packaging, there are actually quite a few advantages of using quality single-use packaging, like stick packs and sachets, to package your products. In this blog, we'll start by discussing the difference between stick packs and sachets, before diving into the benefits of incorporating them into your production process and using them for your own single serve packaging.

Whether you're packaging sugar, pharmaceuticals, single servings of coffee, quality nutritional powders, or some other kind of sugar or powder products, understanding the difference between these flexible packaging options is key. Continue reading to lear more about sachets, stick packaging, and how they can be used with a vertical form fill seal packaging machine.

What is a stick pack?

Stick packs, also called stick packages, are the most common single dose packaging on the market. Usually used for sports drink powders or sugar, instant coffee, and other powdered products, stick pack packaging is characterized by its small size and narrow shape. These single dose packages are suitable for any kind of powder, and usually aren't used to package liquids, gels, or semi-solids. Stick packages are easily transportable and are loved by manufacturers for their convenience.

Stick packs are also a great marketing tool. Want to promote your nutritional supplements? Want to give your consumers a convenient way to enjoy your sugar product, while also displaying your brand name (in print!) to their friends? This is where stick pouches really come in handy. Yes, they keep your product fresh, but they're also a great solution for advertising in a very affordable way. Simply print your name and information directly onto the sachet, and voila!

What is a sachet?

Sachet packages, on the other hand, are typically reserved for liquid products, dairy products, or certain kinds of food products, like apple sauce or baby food. Sachet packages are typically sealed on three or four sides and its four side sealing method means it has a very strong seal that won't break during transport or storage.

Regardless of your specific needs, both packaging options are great for consumers with busy lives. Their production speed is quick, and they require minimal packaging equipment.

Sealing stick packaging & sachet packaging

Both of these types of plastic packaging can be used with standard packaging equipment and machines. Which type of packaging equipment you use depends on the type of single use packaging you're working with. For example, stick packs are sealed using free flowing stick pack machines while sachets are used with sachet packaging machines.

Both packaging machines use a vertical form fill seal, and both types of packs are easily sealed, even at high speeds. If you already have access to vertical packaging machines, stick or sachet packaging is a great choice for you.

Benefits of sachet packaging and stick packs

Whether you opt for sachets or stick packaging, or are packaging powder, food, or pharmaceutical products, you can't go wrong with this type of packaging. Here are a few of the primary benefits of using sachet packaging or a stick pack:

A stick pack is perfect for consumers with an on-the-go lifestyle
Easy for pharmaceutical industry to dose medicines and powder supplements
Each stick pack or sachet requires minimal equipment and machines to fill
Can be used for liquids, powders, and food products
Can work with a small packaging equipment budget
Has the convenience of low weight, for easy storage and transport
Each package is high quality and offers tons of convenience for consumers
Do not require volumetric fillers, auger fillers, or liquid fillers
Each sachet will keep dusty products from getting even dustier during transport and storage

Get Started Today

CarePac truly takes the guesswork out of designing and printing the perfect stick pack or sachet packaging for your powdered or liquid products. No matter your needs, we are committed to providing you with the best solution.
Get a Quick Quote to learn more about our sachet and stick pack packaging solutions today!

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Flexible Barrier Packaging

What is ePAC Flexible Packaging?

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ePAC Flexible Packaging?

What is ePAC Flexible Packaging?

ePAC is a multinational corporation that manufactures flexible packaging for consumers in a variety of industries. Although ePac is a leader in the flexible packaging industry, their sheer size (and profit) mean that customers are just a number to them. Additionally, they were only established in 2016, making them a relative newcomer to the flexible packaging space.

Similar companies have been around for decades, and have spent that time perfecting their flexible packaging solutions. From nailing down the right flexible packaging materials to use for a certain product to bringing sustainable options (like post consumer recycled materials) to the market, it's evident that ePac's competitors have the experience and passion that's unmatched by ePac.

In this blog, you'll learn more about ePac flexibles alternatives and what other CPG companies are bringing to the table with their packaging products.

ePac Flexible Packaging Alternatives

While there are plenty of alternatives to ePac flexible packaging, for the sake of this blog post we'll focus on two of ePacs main competitors: ABC Packaging Direct and CarePac.

ABC Packaging Direct

ABC Packaging Direct was founded in 2017 and strives to be a complete, end-to-end strategic partner for companies of all sizes. Regardless of how much funding ePac has, you can't fake the relationship-first approach that you'll find with ABC Packaging Direct. Their custom flexible packaging options include a variety of bags and lay flat pouches with high barrier structures, meaning their pouches are manufactured with preserving product freshness in mind.

Currently, ABC Packaging Direct works primarily in the following industries: nutraceuticals, food, pet supply, coffee and tea, pharmaceuticals, and liquids/spouted products (alcohol, dressing, sauces, etc.)

Feedback from their customers is generally positive, and the company works with brands such as Heinz, Kraft, McCormick, and Mars. They minimum production runs start at 5,000 units.

abc-packaging-direct-epac-flexible-packaging

CarePac

What can we say about ourselves that you don't already know? If you're a returning customer, you already know that our flexible packaging simply can't be beat. We offer complete customization, from the look and feel of our lay flat pouches to the material used. We work with brands of all sizes, and are proud to offer three different printing options: digital, flexographic, and rotogravure. We're one of the few CPG companies to offer this level of printing customization.

Simply put, we offer more configurations than our competitors, and always put our customers over profit. That's the CarePac guarantee.

The Need for Custom Pouch Packaging

Unless you've been living under a rock, it's clear to see that there's a growing demand for personalized and custom packaging solutions. Flexible packaging is the first thing consumers see when they pick up a food product or package in the store, and leverage flexible barrier packaging as a tool for branding and product differentiation has never been more important.

Of course, finding the right flexible packaging company to work with can be challenging, and nobody understands that challenge more than we do. In the next section you'll learn more about our digital printing process, our company ethos, and how we stand apart from our flexible packaging competitors.

CarePac: The Preferred Vendor for Custom Pouch Packaging

If you're on the hunt for an alternative to ePac flexible packaging, you've come to the right place. Here are just a few ways our company blows our competitors out of the water:

Decades of experience- ePac and ABC Packaging Direct COMBINED have less operating experience than our company does on its own. Flexible packaging is our whole world, and we thrive in this environment.
Customization options & flexibility- We offer full customization, from the material used to the size and shape of your pouches. No customization request is too big, and our helpful CareDesign team is ready to help you design your bags. That's one, of the many, benefits of working with CarePac.
Testimonials from happy customers- Our customers are happy with our bags, and many come back for repeat purchase. Reach out and we'll be more than happy to share testimonials from consumers who are pleased with the durability and quality of our roll stock bags.
Competitive pricing & value-added services- Our pricing is ultra-competitive, whether you're packaging food or wholesale products. Shipping is quick, and we even offer low MOQs.
Made in America- Last but not least, one of our primary differentiating factors is that our products are all made in America. We focus on quality, and the highest quality products are made in the U.S.A. Unlike ePac, who manufacturers their products in various locations (including Africa and Asia), all our products are made right here.

Interested in experiencing the CarePac difference for yourself? Get a Quick Quote now to start the ordering process, and to experience for yourself how we're a cut above our competitors.

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Sustainable Packaging

How Does Composting Work?

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How does composting work?

Composting is a natural process of recycling organic waste, such as food scraps and other organic matter like wood chips, grass clippings, and coffee grounds, into a nutrient-rich fertilizer. This finished compost can then be used in backyard gardens instead of fresh manure, synthetic fertilizers, or commercial fertilizer to encourage plant growth.

If you've been wondering "how does composting work," you're in luck. In this blog, we'll discuss the composting process in greater detail, including the benefits of the compost process and some basic home composting tips to help you get started.

Benefits of the composting process

There are many benefits to backyard composting. In fact, there are very few disadvantages to turning food waste and other organic materials into a nitrogen-rich material that can be used to fertilize the garden soil of your outdoor and indoor plants. As such, this blog will focus exclusively on the benefits of the backyard composting process, including how it helps reduce food waste and greenhouse gas emissions.

Reduces food waste

If you have a compost bin at home, you already know how worm composting reduces organic waste, including garden waste. Food scraps, including coffee grounds, tea bags, and fruit and vegetable scraps, go directly into your compost bin instead of the trash can. You can even put yard trimmings, shredded paper, and paper filters (like the ones you use for coffee) into your home compost bin.

If you're concerned about your environmental impact, using what's in your compost bin as a soil amendment is a great way to reduce greenhouse emissions of food scrap waste. Why not turn food scraps into a valuable fertilizer?

reduces food waste How Does Composting Work?

cut excess nitrogen from landfills How Does Composting Work?

Cuts excess nitrogen from landfills

When organic matter goes through the decomposition process in a landfill, it goes through aerobic decomposition. This means that it's broken down by microorganisms that require oxygen. If there's not enough air, the biological process simply won't happen.

These microorganisms give off something called "biogas", a natural by-product of the decomposition process, which is roughly 50% carbon dioxide. As you can see, transforming kitchen waste into compost materials via compost bins is a better alternative than sending food scraps, yard waste and grass clippings to landfills.

Conserves water

Did you know that when you add organic material, like cat litter and kitchen scraps, to fresh soil it actually changes the soil structure and increases its ability to retain water? Just a 1% increase in organic materials in soil means it can hold 20,000 more gallons of water per acre. While this might not seem like a lot for those who use a home compost bin or participate in worm composting, imagine if every household across America used compost bins to turn fresh grass clippings and pet waste into a nutrient-rich soil amendment for their potting soil? It adds up!

Types of home composting

There are two main types of backyard composting: passive (cold) composting and active (hot) composting. We'll discuss each a bit more before providing some tips on how to turn food scraps, kitchen waste, a wrung out sponge, and yard waste and pet waste into nitrogen-rich materials with a home compost bin.

Passive compost pile

Passive composting breaks down organic matter VERY SLOWLY, but it also requires very little effort. During this type of composting, you let Mother Nature do her job through natural decomposition. Vegetable scraps, wood chips, and yard waste will all decompose naturally...at some point. This is passive composting. Simply sit back, relax, and let nature do its thing.

A high contrast, dark typography integrates a simple sans-serif with classic and historically influenced italic serif font. Which gives their packaging a feeling of both old-world familiarity and modern elegance.

If you’re looking to showcase your product with a contemporary and clean design, this packaging from Sandro Desii can serve as a tasteful inspiration.

Active compost bin

Hot composting, albeit faster, is also a much more involved process. This method requires you to keep carbon and nitrogen levels at the right ratio. If you've ever seen someone with a garden fork taking grass clippings and food scraps from plastic storage bins or compost tumblers and incorporating it into their existing composting material, they are taking part in active composting.

The resulting carbon rich material is the same, it just happens at a much quicker rate.

active compost pile How Does Composting Work?

Composting at home: Tips and advice

If you're interested in turning your food scraps and yard trimmings into healthy soil, here are a few things to keep in mind:

Contrary to popular belief, the food scraps will not attract pests or fruit flies - as long as you use the appropriate materials to collect food scraps and incorporate them into the soil.
The finished compost materials won't trigger invasive weeds to grow, at least not at a higher rate than what you may currently be experiencing.
You'll need to maintain moisture, so make sure you're adding a mix of "wet" kitchen scraps in addition to woody materials and yard trimmings.
You can use an open compost pile, a closed compost pile, or you can participate in trench composting. You can even compost on cinder blocks. Each has its pros and cons, so research each one before you select one for your own waste management needs.
The resulting nitrogen rich materials can be used to fertilize a variety of things, including your front lawn or fruit and vegetable garden.

As you can see, there are several benefits to composting. Your commitment to the environment shouldn't end with composting, either. If you're concerned about the environment, you should align yourself with brands that are eco-friendly and environmentally-conscious (like us!)

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