Freestyle Photo - Wasteful packaging!

[grapejohnson]

I just got my first package from Freestyle Photo. I must say, good prices, good selection, and quick shipping. I was astounded, however, at the size of the box that came. I only ordered a roll of Fomapan and a roll of Neopan, five reloadable film cartridges, and a 4oz. bottle of R09, and it came in a 10x10 box, overflowing with packaging peanuts. I know that Rodinal is highly concentrated and very toxic, but I really thought they went overboard with the huge box. Are all liquid developers sent this way? I like how Adorama uses those big, air-filled plastic bubbles that sound like gunshots when you pop them. They work great and waste little. Is there a law about how you send stuff like that? Regardless, I hate packaging peanuts because they're so bad for the environment.
Playing devil's advocate, I know developers and fixers are bad for the environment too, but I have been saving them and plan to call my local recycling company to see what to do with them when I've depleted them.

[Pablito]

Some packaging peanuts are made of cornstarch and biodegrade quickly. Plastic bags don't. I wonder what Freestyle has to say?

[semilog]

I too have been a bit disappointed by Freestyle's excessive use of huge boxes and vast quantities of styrofoam peanuts.

Edit: I'm delighted to hear that they are currently using the cornstarch peanuts. You can just compost those, no need to put them in a landfill. Still, smaller boxes would be welcome.

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

Freestyle's peanuts are a biodegradable type; the last order I got from them had a paper in the box that explained it. I'd rather have good over-padded packing instead of getting things beat up.

[Rayt]

I was thinking the same thing when I got my order of 25 rolls of 120 Adox 25 last week and the peanuts spilled everywhere. Film is not that delicate for such over the top packing.

[Rayt]

Good to know they are biodegradable Chris.

[david.elliott]

Whenever I need packing peanuts, I just order a couple items from freestyle. Cheaper than going to staples or office depot to buy the equivalent amount of packing peanuts.

[zauhar]

Their packaging is a bit too much - I always have a couple plastic shopping bags on hand when I open the box, so I can dispose of the peanuts.

As Chris points out freestyle addresses this issue up front, they consider the peanuts the most environmentally friendly option at the moment.

Randy

[Brian Legge]

Yes - I think they were the first I've seen to include a letter explaining that their peanuts are biodegradable. Doesn't matter as much to me as I usually use the box and peanuts to ship stuff to others.

[lam]

I actually enjoy buying products from Freestyle, not only do I have peanuts to last me almost a year in shipping items (Ha ha); but their products arrive fast and well packed.. those boxes are STURDY, i've shipped numerous heavy cameras in them and they are well made . PROPS to Freestyle, they'll always have my business as long as they keep performing.

[grapejohnson]

I guess I should have read the literature. I'm quite relieved now to know that! As I said, I was otherwise very pleased with the service, and as was also mentioned, those boxes are very rugged.

[steveniphoto]

i didnt realize their packing peanuts are biodegradable.. thats nice to hear. i generally order bulk from them so i didnt really see their packaging as over the top..

[pakeha]

You guys are funny...global warming, depleted uranium, fracking , dragnets , industrial waste, global warming, peak oil .......but lets save the world by ensuring our packaging is biodegradable

[David Murphy]

Originally Posted by lam

I actually enjoy buying products from Freestyle, not only do I have peanuts to last me almost a year in shipping items (Ha ha); but their products arrive fast and well packed.. those boxes are STURDY, i've shipped numerous heavy cameras in them and they are well made . PROPS to Freestyle, they'll always have my business as long as they keep performing.

I agree 100%. We need FreeStyle too. I am lucky to be about a 30 minute drive from their store in Hollywood. I recommend a visit if you're in the area.

[Krosya]

Originally Posted by Chriscrawfordphoto

Freestyle's peanuts are a biodegradable type; the last order I got from them j=had a paper in the box that explained it. I'd rather have good over-padded packing instead of getting things beat up.

Thank You! I'd too rather have a well packed items sent to me than not. Geez, do some people look for things to complain about? Would some of you rather have poor packaging? I prefer to get my items safe and sound - dont know about anyone else.

[Roger Hicks]

Originally Posted by pakeha

You guys are funny...global warming, depleted uranium, fracking , dragnets , industrial waste, global warming, peak oil .......but lets save the world by ensuring our packaging is biodegradable

Yes, but the logical conclusion of this argument is "Let's not worry about anything except the stuff I can directly influence . . . which is (for most people) nothing . . . so let's not worry about anything, ever."

Cheers,

R.

[Roger Hicks]

Originally Posted by Krosya

Thank You! I'd too rather have a well packed items sent to me than not. Geez, do some people look for things to complain about? Would some of you rather have poor packaging? I prefer to get my items safe and sound - dont know about anyone else.

Seconded.

Cheers,

R.

[sepiareverb]

I've never had anything arrive damaged from Freestyle. Certainly cannot say the same for B&H. I often get paper from B&H arriving in a box with a bunch of those big air pillows. Numerous times the paper package is damaged. I've had only one case where the paper was fogged, but countless times where the actual Ilford or Oriental box was pretty useless and I've transferred the paper to an old box. Have a box of Multigrade in the flat finish right now which lives in a Glossy box. And Freestyle ships all the way across the country to me compared to B&H. NYC is 6 hours away.

[oftheherd]

Originally Posted by Chriscrawfordphoto

Freestyle's peanuts are a biodegradable type; the last order I got from them had a paper in the box that explained it. I'd rather have good over-padded packing instead of getting things beat up.

Me too. And some chemicals have very stringent shipping requirements, for a reason. But I am not sure about yours.

[colyn]

I prefer extra packing. It tells me the sender cares that I get what I ordered safely and undamaged. Many times I have bought/ordered something only to open the box and find it damaged because of too little packing..

[John E Earley]

Their peanuts don't go very well with beer ;(

[Pioneer]

I order lots of stuff from freestyle and nothing has ever showed up damaged. I love their packaging. And though I do hate peanuts, their peanuts are great. Take handful and put them in an old coffee can and leave outside. They break down VERY quickly.

Freestyle uses just a few box sizes. Keeps their costs down and makes it easy on storage and purchasing. Additionally their boxes are very heavy duty because a lot of what they ship is considered a hazardous material in the US. I usually get rid of most of the boxes that show up here but I do keep the Freestyle ones.

I wish everyone packed their stuff like freestyle.

[TXForester]

Originally Posted by John E Earley

Their peanuts don't go very well with beer ;(

Try them in peanut butter.

[Pioneer]

You guys have to be getting really bored to complain about OVER packing. For myself it is UNDER packing that frustrates me.

As for Adorama, do you have the foggiest idea of how long it takes for those big, plastic, air-filled bubbles to break down?

[zuiko85]

Probably get a volume deal on corrugated paper cartons. Not ordering many sizes saves on inventory control and handling. The whole think can be recycled, not too bad I say.