Packing Peanuts are a common loose-fill packing material used to prevent damage to fragile objects during shipping.  There are four different types of Packing Peanuts:  White, Pink Anti-Static, Green Recycled and Biodegradable.  Let’s take a closer look at each type…

White Packing Peanuts:  White peanuts are made of 70% new polystyrene and best used when presentation matters.  They utilize an “S” design that allows for interlocking within the packaging container for stronger cushioning and stability.  May be re-used and ultimately recycled.

Pink Anti-Static Packing Peanuts:  Pink Anti-Static peanuts are made of 70% new polystyrene and best used to protect static sensitive electronics from static discharge.   They utilize an “S” design that allows for interlocking within the packaging container for stronger cushioning and stability.  May be re-used and ultimately recycled.

Green Recycled Packing Peanuts:  Green peanuts are made of 100% recycled content typically the remains of other polystyrene loose fill.  They utilize an “S” design that allow for interlocking within the packaging container for stronger cushioning and stability.  May be re-used and ultimately recycled.  Best choice for eco-conscious shippers that need a cleaner alternative to Biodegradable Packing Peanuts.

Biodegradable Packing Peanuts:  Biodegradable peanuts are made of corn starch and are 100% biodegradable, recyclable, reusable and compostable.  Best choice for companies with green initiatives or eco-conscious end users.

The two drawbacks with the Biodegradable peanuts are that they leave dust behind and they are edible and may attract rodents if used for long-term storage.

We hope this helps you to choose the Packing Peanuts that best fit your needs.  Next month look for our first video packing tip.

Shipping Supply, LLC has moved into a new facility located in Waukesha, WI.  Our new facility is much larger, which will allow us to add more shipping supplies and continue to grow.  Our new corporate contact information has changed to the following:

Shipping Supply, LLC
1416 Poplar Drive Suite F
Waukesha, WI 53188

Phone: 1-262-547-3440
Toll Free: 1-877-501-PACK
Fax: 1-262-547-3441

Hopefully lightning strikes twice as BuyCostumes.com, the world’s largest internet based retailer of costumes and party supplies, previously occupied the facility.  They have since moved into a 360,000 sq. ft. facility in New Berlin, WI.

CLICK HERE for directions to our new location.

We are pleased to unveil our new real-time Order Status System.  How does it work? Simply click on the “Track Your Order” text located on the top of every ShippingSupply.com page.

You will be directed to the following page…

Once there, input your order number and billing zip code and click “Track Order”.  A pop-up will appear displaying your order status message including; Order Received, Order Shipped, Order Backordered, Ship Date, Tracking Number(s), etc.  Additionally, all tracking numbers will appear as hyperlinks to UPS or USPS so that our customers can track their orders immediately.  Please note that orders placed on Saturdays, Sundays, or Holidays will not be updated until the next business day. 

The Order Status is available 24/7.  Simply CLICK HERE to check on your order!

Two questions we commonly receive from our customers are…

1. Are your shipping supplies made with recycled content?
2. Can the items I’m purchasing be recycled?

Those are great questions and we certainly appreciate our customer’s commitment to protecting the environment. With that said, a few months ago we created the “Eco Information Chart” that lists all of our product categories and answers the above mentioned questions.

The Eco Information Chart shows what our products are “Made from” (recycled content, post consumer waste, or conventional product).  The chart also provides information on disposal options titled “After you are done” (100% recyclable, biodegradable and compostable).  On the bottom of the chart we have included definitions in effort to help our customers understand unfamiliar terms and processes. 

Click on the screenshot below to visit our Eco Information Chart.

Okay, Shipping Labels aren’t exactly super heroes but they do help prevent damage to your package during transit by sending clear messages to all potential handlers.  What is heroic is this protection only costs about .02 cents a label.

Our bright red Shipping Labels are available in rolls of 500 labels and are easy to use.  Simply peel and apply.  We stock the following labels with common messages…

• Fragile Handle with Care
• Glass Handle with Care
• This Side Up
• Packing List Enclosed
• Invoice Enclosed
• Made in the U.S.A.

We recommend placing our labels on multiple sides of your package or envelope to ensure that your shipment will arrive safely.  In addition to handing labels, place instructional labels to help customers find Invoices, Packing Lists, or Bill of Ladings.

Why? Because we have a diverse customer base that demands a diverse method of communication. So go ahead and connect with us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter or YouTube.

Facebook is a social networking site that allows people to join networks organized by city, workplace, school, and region. Here we post our blog updates display our “Deal of the Day”.

LinkedIn is an online network of more than 30 million experienced professionals from around the world. LinkedIn allows us to prospect for new business, receive recommendations for the good service we have delivered, and recommend others based upon the service we have received.

Twitter is a micro blog that allows users to communicate to family, friends and co-workers via 140 word entries. The 140 word entries, also known as “Tweets”, allow users to stay hyper connected by delivering updates directly to your inbox or cellular telephone. Now you can get updates from ShippingSupply.com and stay current with our daily and weekly and specials. You can even connect with other ShippingSupply.com customers through Twitter!

YouTube is the leader in online video, and the premier destination to watch and share original videos worldwide through the web. In early 2009, ShippingSupply.com will provide our customers with packing tips videos in effort to better assist our customers. We also plan to share videos that we find relevant to small business.

We are pleased to unveil our Bubble Mailer Calculator.  What is a Bubble Mailer Calculator?  It’s a tool that we created to assist our customers in choosing the correct size bubble mailer.

How does it work?  Simply input the Width, Length and Thickness of the item you will be shipping into the calculator then click “Search”.  Voila…the Bubble Mailers that will best fit your needs will appear.

The Bubble Mailer Calculator is available 24/7.  Please click on the above graphic to use our Bubble Mailer Calculator.

Every holiday season we get emails from various eBay Sellers asking “What should I use to ship my widget?”  That said we want to suggest the best shipping supplies for a few of eBay’s most commonly sold items.

• DVD’s/Video Games use DVD Bubble Mailers
• CD’s use CD Bubble Mailers
• VHS Tapes use VHS Bubble Mailers
• Books use Bubble Mailers
• Clothing use Poly Mailers
• Pictures use No-Bend Mailers
• Posters use Kraft Mailing Tubes
• Jewelry use XPAK Poly Bubble Mailers
• Coins/Trading Cards use #000 Bubble Mailers
• Sun Glasses use Corrugated Mailers
• Golf Clubs use 6 x 6 x 48″ Corrugated Boxes

Please Note:  We recommend reading our Choosing the Correct Size Bubble Mailers and How Shipping Boxes are Measured articles to help choose the correct size product(s).  Lastly, please remember to properly wrap fragile items and always insure your packages with your carrier.  These extra steps will help to protect both your bottom line…and your reputation.

Shipping Supply, LLC has acquired ShippingTubes.com.  With this domain name we plan to create a product specific landing page that will drive traffic to our main site ShippingSupply.com.

We are pleased to once again work with ecommerce management and consulting firm Groove Commerce, who will develop and design the landing page for this project.  The landing page will resemble and seamlessly integrate with our main site.

The increase in traffic generated by the ShippingTubes.com will allow us to showcase our world class customer service and grow our business.

With the Holidays right around the corner we wanted to remind our customers to plan accordingly and make your shipping season a success.  The following are the USPS, UPS, FedEx, and DHL service holidays.

2008 U.S. Postal Service Holidays:

• Veterans Day - November 11, 2008
• Thanksgiving Day - November 27, 2008
• Christmas Day - December 25, 2008
• New Year’s Day - January 1, 2009

2008 UPS Service Holidays:

• Thanksgiving Day - November 27, 2008
• Day after Thanksgiving - November 28, 2008
• Christmas Day - December 25, 2008
• New Year’s Eve - December 31, 2008
• New Year’s Day - January 1, 2009

2008 FedEx Service Holidays:

• Thanksgiving Day - November 27, 2008
• Christmas Day - December 25, 2008
• New Year’s Day - January 1, 2009

2008 DHL Service Holidays:

• Thanksgiving - November 27, 2008
• Christmas Day - December 25, 2008
• New Year’s Day - January 1, 2009

Please Note:  There is no regular pickup or delivery service for these holidays; however, most carriers offer emergency service 365 days a year.  The best way to ensure a timely delivery of your goods is to allow a few extra days prior to the above listed holidays.  We recommend calling your carrier if you have any questions.