Sustainable Packaging For Medals: What Are The Options?

Here's what no one warns you about before you order medals…

That, in most cases, each one comes in its own plastic bag.

At first, you don't notice the problem.

But then, one by one, the bags stack up, until your workspace is buried under a mountain of waste that - frankly - you didn't ask for.

You toss them in the recycling bin, hoping they'll be reused… but studies show that a lot of them won't make it that far.

And if you're an event or organisation that values sustainability, that just doesn't sit right.

But what if you didn't have to deal with those plastic bags in the first place?

Right now, about 80% of our packaging at Badges And Medals is made from reused, sustainable, or recyclable materials.

Why? Because we're serious about doing what we can for the environment.

We know you are, too, which is why, in this article, we're breaking down the best alternatives to plastic packaging - some of which we use ourselves.

By the end, you'll know exactly what your options are, so you can pack your medals in a way that aligns with your values, not against them.

So... Why Plastic Bags?

Plastic has been the default for packing medals for years.

And to change this, we need to understand why it’s been used in the first place.

Most medal suppliers pack their medals in individual plastic bags.

There are three big reasons why plastic is so widely used: strength, cost, and convenience.

• Strength: It's tough enough to protect your medals from scratches, moisture, and dust during shipping.
• Cost: It's incredibly cheap because it's made from waste products of the gasoline industry.
• Convenience: It’s lightweight, which helps keep shipping costs down, and see-through, which makes packing easier.

But just because it’s been the usual choice doesn’t mean it’s the right one anymore.

The Problem With Plastic Medal Packaging

We all know that plastic is bad for the environment.

It takes massive amounts of energy to make, it’s made from fossil fuels, and it needs hundreds of years to break down.

But did you know that packaging plays a massive role in the plastic waste problem?

According to the United Nations, about 430 million tonnes of plastic ends up in our bins each year.

Packaging makes up about 36% of this, or about 100.8 million tonnes.

(Think milk cartons, takeaway containers - and yes, the very bags that hold your medals.)

And the sad truth is, a lot of it never gets recycled.

Half of the world's plastic waste goes to landfill, while just under a quarter is "mismanaged", meaning it winds up as pollution, says the United Nations.

But we have the power to make a difference.

It starts by making seemingly small choices, like switching to more sustainable packaging.

Sustainable Medal Packaging Options

Shredded Paper

Shredded paper can be reused, recycled, or composted.

What is it?

Shredded paper is exactly what it sounds like: paper that’s been shredded into small strips.

It works by creating a soft, protective layer around your medals.

It's often made from materials like old newspapers and junk mail - in other words, paper that's been thrown away.

By giving these materials a second life, shredded paper helps reduce the amount of waste going to landfills.

Plus, it's renewable. Paper is made from trees, which can be regrown, meaning it doesn't hurt the environment.

And, when you’re done with it, shredded paper can be composted, recycled (again), or repurposed (think pet bed liners).

What are the downsides?

It can be a bit messy to unpack, leaving small bits of paper everywhere.

Plus, since it’s quite loose, there’s a chance that your medals could move during shipping and scratch each other.

Corn Starch Packing Peanuts

What is it?

These packing peanuts are an eco-friendly alternative to traditional plastic peanuts.

They're made from corn starch - which comes from corn, the most abundant crop - meaning they're easily renewable.

Once you've unpacked your medals, just pop the packing peanuts in some water and watch them disappear.

What are the downsides?

They can be a bit more expensive than plastic packing peanuts, which could affect the cost of your order.

Plus, they don't do well in wet conditions. Like, at all.

So if you live in a particularly wet country or area, this might not be the right fit for you.

Wood Wool

Wood wool is most commonly used in gift baskets or packaging.

What is it?

This is one of those products that you might not have heard of before, but you've likely seen.

We're talking about those thin, curled stands of wood (which looks a lot like straw) that you see now and again in gift boxes.

It's called wood wool, and it's great at cushioning objects, like medals, so that they don't hurt themselves during shipping.

Wood wool is made from untreated, natural wood, which means it compostable, renewable, and reusable.

In fact, it can be reused multiple times before it even reaches the compost pile!

For example, as basket lining, then pet bedding, then fire kindling.

What are the downsides?

Like shredded paper, wood wool can leave behind small fibres, meaning a bit of clean-up after unpacking.

Also, because it's light and loose, your medals might move about during shipping, which could lead to scratches.

That said, it's sturdier than shredded paper - though not always as cheap.

Cardboard Inserts

What is it?

Cardboard inserts work like the dividers in an egg carton.

They create a snug, structured space for each medal, keeping them from knocking into each other during transport.

A lot of cardboard inserts are made from recycled paper, giving old materials a second chance at life.

When you’re done with the inserts, you can recycle, reuse, or compost them.

What are the downsides?

Cardboard inserts do a great job of keeping things in place.

However, if they're not designed for your specific medals, then they won't do much to soften a blow.

So if your medals are delicate or a traveling a great distance, you might want to pair it with another option on the list.

Another thing to keep in mind is that - like any paper packaging - cardboard doesn’t handle moisture well.

It can lose its strength in wet conditions, so, if you live in a rainy area, it might be worth looking at alternatives.

Coconut Husk, Rice Husk, Cork, Or Mushroom Inserts

Packing inserts made of mushrooms are taking over the beauty industry. PHOTO: VOUGE

What is it?

Coconut husks, rice husks, cork, and mushrooms can each be turned into inserts that work a lot like cardboard.

Because they start of as a malleable pulp, you can even have them designed to perfectly fit your medals - ideal for safe transport.

Each of these four materials are renewable, so can be harvested time and time again without harming the environment.

Plus, they're biodegradable - so once they've served their purpose, they’ll naturally decompose.

What are the downsides?

These can be heavier than other eco-friendly options, which could increase shipping costs slightly.

Also, some of these materials, like cork, might be harder to come by in your region.

Fabric Bags

What is it?

These are small fabric pouches made from natural materials like cotton, wool, or other organic fibres.

They provide a soft, protective layer around your medals and can be reused, making them a practical and sustainable choice.

Many of these bags are made from recycled fabric or materials that might have otherwise gone to waste, like leftover cotton from the clothing industry.

Instead of being tossed, these scraps get a second life as packaging.

And because they’re reusable, they can also be repurposed for storage, travel, or even gift wrapping.

At the end of their lifespan, they’re biodegradable, so they won’t sit in a landfill for centuries like their plastic cousins.

What are the downsides?

Reusable bags aren't that firm, so your medals might need some extra padding to stop them from moving around.

Also, since the bags aren't see-through, you'll have to open each one to check what's inside and where it needs to be.

Honeycomb Or Air-Packed Paper

The goal of honeycomb paper is to create space around an object, protecting it during travel.

What is it?

Honeycomb paper is paper that's has been cut into a flexible, honeycomb-like shape.

Air-packed paper, on the other hand, is paper with an air pocket in between its sheets, acting like a paper version of bubble wrap.

Both honeycomb and air-packed paper work by creating a shock-absorbing layer around your medals, keeping them safe from harm. They're also lightweight.

Since both are made from tree pulp, they are sustainable, recyclable, biodegradable, and reusable.

What are the downsides?

They're not as impact-resistant as plastic bubble wrap, so if your award is rather fragile, you might need to pair this with other type of packaging.

Also, if they get too damp, they can lose their strength. So if you're shipping in a humid or rainy country, you might want to consider another option.

Where Can I Find These?

You came here wondering if there was an alternative to plastic medal packaging and now you know… there is!

And here’s the best part is that making the switch is easier than you think.

Step one? Ask your current supplier if they can go plastic-free.

Many are willing to use sustainable alternatives - they just need to know their customers want them.

But if they can’t (or won’t) make the change, it might be time to find a supplier that puts the environment first - like us here at Badges And Medals.

Currently, about 80 per cent of our packaging is made from reused, sustainable, or recyclable materials.

And that's just the tip of the iceberg.

Most of our medals are made from recyclable or sustainable materials, and we remove two plastic bottles from the ocean every time we supply a large order.

If you'd like to learn more about Badges And Medals and how we can help you be more sustainable, then check out our sustainability programmes.