Ship It Smart

Using — or better yet, reusing — sustainable materials can save you a bundle and seriously reduce your environmental impact. And ground shipping is eight times less damaging to the climate than shipping by air.

  • Boxes

    • Brown corrugated cardboard is almost always recyclable.
    • If shipping with USPS, order free priority mail boxes through the Shipping Hub. All eBay co-branded boxes are certified Cradle-to-Cradle™, re-designed to be environmentally responsible, and come at no additional cost to the consumer.
    • Use the smallest size box possible. The larger the box, the more room it takes up on a truck or plane, so fewer packages make the trip. A smaller box could also help you save on shipping costs.

  • Cushioning

    • Use shredded or crumpled newspaper.
    • Use previously-used peanuts of any kind. (Did you know reusing "bad" peanuts is better than throwing them away?) If you don't have a need for the peanuts yourself, call the Peanut Hotline at 800-828-2214 to find a drop-off location near you.
    • If you need new peanuts, buy recycled or biodegradable (the ones made from cornstarch dissolve in water!).
    • Use recycled or recyclable bubble wrap. Some manufacturers even offer takeback/recycling programs too.
    • Use inflatable air packs. These recyclable plastic pillows provide a lot of cushioning for a small amount of raw material.
    • Many shipping storefronts will happily take used packing materials for future use.

  • Tape

    • Use water-activated (gummed) tape made from 100% recycled and re-pulpable brown Kraft paper.
    • Use biodegradable cellulose tape made from wood pulp that comes from suppliers with extensive reforestation programs.

  • Delivery Methods

    eBay is proud to team up with both UPS and the USPS to offer the greenest delivery methods to you.

    • UPS is committed to operating its business in an environmentally responsible way and helping customers as they "green up" their supply chains. In their ongoing efforts to make the delivery system green, UPS has successfully:

      • Streamlined their transportation network in order to minimize miles driven and flown.
      • Invested in fuel-saving technologies to reduce dependency on fossil-based fuels.
      • Conserved energy and fuel throughout operations.
      • For more information, please visit: http://community.ups.com.

      Some of the specific initiatives that UPS has taken include:

      • Operating the largest private alternative-fuel fleet in the industry.
      • Being the first delivery company to join the EPA’s Climate Leaders.
      • Training their drivers and mechanics on how they can help reduce fuel usage.

    • The United States Postal Service (USPS) is committed to its ongoing promise "to deliver now — and for future generations." With every step, the Postal Service is committed to leaving a green footprint across the American landscape.

      In order to support its partnership with eBay, the Postal Service has earned Cradle-to-Cradle™ Certification for all Priority Mail packaging. The Postal Service is the only shipper to have that sustainable certification.

      • The Postal Service continues to make great strides in greening communities. In order to meet its commitment to reduce environmental impact by 30% by 2015, the Postal Service has already launched several initiatives, including:
      • Setting up 19 "Zero Waste" pilot site postal facilities, which help eliminate all waste sent to landfills by recycling.
      • Participating in medical and electronic "Mail Back" recycling programs, in order to keep harmful metals and prescription drugs out of our landfills.
      • Establishing secure Post Office Lobby Recycling Centers where customers are encouraged to "Read, Respond and Recycle" their mail — right then and there.
      • For more information, please visit http://www.usps.com/green.