Business communities are in an ideal position to improve the soild waste stream through the use of environmentally responsible packaging and shipping materials.

Shippers using pallets can use plastic pallets made from recycled materials which are more durable than wood, preserve resources and reduce waste. Plastic film wrap used to secure pallet contents should be used sparingly, with the knowledge that most of it will end up in a landfill, lake, river or ocean.

The use of polystyrene "peanuts" or molded packaging by shippers should be discouraged. There are many environmentally responsible alternatives to polystyrene (see Green Links on this page). Retailers should request that wholesale shipments be made to them using only biodegradable packaging.