General Needs/Supplies/Suppliers

Tea Packaging

The Tea Container

Currently, we use Kraft bags with an aluminum laminate inside. 
There are many suppliers for what appears to be the exact same bag.
Is there a difference? (needs to be researched)

Based on Elevate Packaging's catalogue, they are compostable.
Based on the Kraft Packaging Store's catalogue, they are aluminum foil (laminate?) within kraft paper.

Current known vendor options:

• https://www.kraftpackagingstore.com/
• https://elevatepackaging.com/
• https://purelabels.com/

Possible future options:

• Some places are developing seaweed-based plastic replacement products. They are supposed to be "Restorative" rather than just "recyclable", "compostable", or "carbon-neutral".

Labels for Tea Containers

• PureLabels 2" Compastable Square Labels, Blank (also recyclable)
  • Uses the document template attachment in the wiki

Shipping Supplies

Shipping tape

We currently order compostable shipping tape from the following places:

• Elevate Packaging
• Pure Labels
• Arka

Reasoning for the above vendors:

• Elevate Packaging's Standards
• Pure Labels' Standards

Shipping Labels

Elevate packaging and pure labels' products are the same on this one.
Each are entirely compostable.
If something else is being ordered from one of these vendors, try to get these labels into the same order to save on shipping costs.

• Elevate Packaging Labels
• Pure label's Labels

Shipping Boxes

Cardboard boxes are compostable, making most of the work pretty simple. The concern is mostly the ink (toxticity?), and if the cardboard has a covering. 
If price allows (mostly killed by shipping costs), order from Arka.com. They help make sure the Ink is okay and can give a good description of what the price will be for a variety of boxes in bulk, and are the most likely to ship in an ecologically friendly way.

Current options:

• Arka
• UPS?
• USPS?
• Home Depot?
• Office Depot?