Original source: https://nolisoli.ph/90185/shipping-solution-plastic-compostable-mailer-fifth-express-20201209/

Original text by Christian San Jose

Additional text by Pauline Miranda

Online shopping has kept many of us occupied, entertained, and nourished  during quarantine. One can argue that it has single-handedly saved 2020 with the convenience it brings. But if there’s one negative aspect in this revolutionary invention, it may be the excessive amount of plastic that comes at the expense of safely shipping items from warehouse to doorstep.

Layer upon layer of bubble wrap and mailer packs that are so hard to open—and intentionally so to keep packages secure—add up to the pile of trash generated every day. 

While data on how much plastic waste is generated by major e-commerce platforms are yet to be available, numbers on the large scale, still point to a clear message. From its first introduction in the 1950s to today, more than 8.3 billion tons of plastic have already been produced, and half of that is designed to be single-use. Additionally, about 60 percent of all plastic has ended up in landfills and the natural environment, according to the United Nations Environment Programme.

But because e-commerce has been a way of life since quarantine kicked in, people have come up with significant steps to reduce plastic waste from this lifestyle. There’s the invention of paper equivalents of bubble wrap, and now a dedicated shipping solution that vows to use only compostable packaging: Fifth Express.

Instead of using plastic mailers that will take years, if not decades, to decompose into microplastics, Fifth Express uses a 100 percent compostable pack made from a combination of corn-based biopolymers and printed using a soy-based ink that, it claims, composts in just six months or 180 days.

“We want to make sure that we help out the planet by using eco-friendly packaging to lessen the consumption of harmful plastics that pollute our land,” the company vision reads.

The alternative packaging also doesn’t just break down into even more problematic microplastics. Certified compostable using both commercial and home compost, the organic material breaks down into a nutrient-rich fertilizer of sorts.

According to its manufacturer, noissue, which specializes in custom, sustainable packaging, the biopolymer that these mailers are made of— polyactic acid (PLA)—makes up barely 0.05 percent of the annual global corn crop. “It’s an incredibly low-impact resource,” the company said.

Just like your usual go-to courier, booking with Fifth Express is easy. Currently operating only in Metro Manila, shipping packages cost from P79 to P120 inclusive of the compostable mailer and shipping fee, depending on the size of the item, and with discounts for bulk shipments.

To book, just register and log on to Fifth Express’ website and start by creating a waybill. Fill out the necessary details for shipping, including the tracking number found on the pouch provided by one of its riders, and the contact details of your recipient. 

You can also opt to schedule a pickup or prepay for pouches to get compostable mailers in advance. Just remember that Fifth Express riders don’t do pickups on weekends.

Packages can be delivered as early as the next day. They’re also trackable through Fifth Express’ website. Insurance is optional at one percent of declared value, up to a maximum of P10,000.

Ultimately, the best way to curb the packaging problem is not just solely on shifting to more compostable options. It’s also important to couple this with proper waste segregation and management.