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May 15, 2025 25 mins

Surprising Packaging Hacks You Didn’t Know Existed

Summary

This episode explores innovative packaging hacks that transform clutter into useful items, promoting eco-friendly practices and sustainable living. The host shares creative ways to repurpose common packaging materials, making travel and organization easier while reducing waste.


Takeaways:

Surprising packaging hacks can change how you handle clutter.

Upcycling is a great way to find new uses for old items.

Bubble wrap can be used for insulation in coolers.

Cardboard inserts can help organize socks and tech cords.

Twist ties are perfect for cable management.

Egg cartons can organize small items like jewelry or screws.

Plastic wraps can waterproof items in travel bags.

Toilet paper tubes are great for packing cords.

Cereal boxes can be transformed into mini laptop stands.

Small changes in habits can lead to significant environmental impacts.


Chapters:

00:00 Unpacking the Clutter: Introduction to Packaging Hacks

05:13 Genius Hacks for Everyday Items

12:32 Innovative Uses for Common Packaging

19:32 Eco-Friendly Practices and Final Thoughts






Mark as Played
Transcript

Episode Transcript

Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:05):
You didn't know existed. Have you ever thought through a
package only to be left with a mess and no idea what to do with
the leftover material? What if I told you that bubble
wrap, twist eyes, and even cardboard inserts have a secret?

(00:28):
Lies you've never considered Let's get into it.
Today's episode is all about discovering surprising packaging
hacks you didn't know existed. Now, whether you're unpacking
from a luxury trip, organizing your closet, or looking for ways

(00:52):
to make your home eco friendly, this episode is packed with
hacks that could change the way you handle packaging forever.
We all love ordering things online or coming back from a
trip with souvenirs and gifts, but let's be real, the aftermath
is a pile of boxes, bubble wrap,plastics, and zip ties.

(01:18):
Opening some packages feel like solving A Rubik's Cube.
No exaggeration. Then once you get the product,
you've left wondering what to dowith all the stuff that came
with it, right? Most of us toss it.
But today, we're going to go ahead and show you how to turn

(01:40):
the clutter into tragic. Are you ready?
Now let's dive into some genius packaging hacks.
Number one on the list, Bubble wrap insulation, perfect for

(02:00):
keeping things cool in a cooler or hot in a lunch box.
Cardboard inserts, draw dividers, cut them to size and
organize your socks or tech cords.
What we're pretty much going into is alternatives.

(02:23):
I call it upcycling, right? Which is finding other uses and
purposes or things that you justtoss off for a week.
So this is pretty much what they're talking about, right?
The cardboard inserts. You could use the Astro dividers
to organize stuff properly, cut them into size and organize your

(02:43):
socks. Tech cards twist eyes.
That's like the cable. You could use that for cable
management. Like for cable management tools
to wrap cables together. Simple, effective, and also
free, right? I'm an audio visual technician

(03:06):
as well, so it comes in very handy.
Plastic containers, storage for craft or office supplies, Right.
Paper shredders. And these are all things I have
in my office right now. Paper shredders.
You could use the shredded paperthat's in the in the shredder

(03:30):
for packaging future travel or gifts or future travel gifts.
Yeah. Another one would be zipper
bags. Travel toilery organizers in
case you don't have one of thosebags.
Those travelling bags, you coulduse it for your toiletries.

(03:55):
Especially helpful for TSA approved liquids.
Right? Another one on the least would
be box flaps. Do it yourself coasters or plant
markers underneath your plant. You could actually use it to

(04:17):
absorb or plant markers. Simple, right?
Or you can make yourself your coasters out of it.
Each of these tricks takes no time at all and they save you
money while reducing your waste.You've been equal friendly right
now guys. This episode is brought to you

(04:40):
by IVTA Wear Store, Silent Vacation Travel Store.
Whether you're heading to Saint Lucia or across the globe, check
out our eco friendly travel gearand accessories.
Visit www.is LANDVAC as.com/shopright forward slash shop.

(05:13):
Check it out today and elevate your parking game to the next
level. Right now.
We're going to go ahead and start our podcast day, guys, and
let's go right ahead. All right, awesome.

(05:49):
Now do not forget guys, I said to check out our online store
right www.islandfakes.com forward slash right shop and

(06:11):
we're going to share the link with you down below here right
now. More hacks.
Let's keep going with more packaging magic guys.
Simple stuff, but you'd be surprised some people haven't

(06:32):
contemplated those ideas to be resourceful.
Next on the list, egg cartoons. Use them for organizing jewelry,
screws, or even coins, right? You could throw it or you could

(06:55):
plant plants in them as well, right?
Next on the list, we have plastic wraps for boxes.
Use it for waterproofing items in your travel bar.
Just an idea. Next again, we have on the list
the ribbons and the gift wrap. Now Christmas time, all

(07:18):
different holidays, you have a lot of gift wrap.
Easter just passed not too long ago.
Repurpose for future gifts or crafts.
Store them in a proper place. You could always reuse it,
right? So that's another idea.
Yeah. And some of those designer
stores, and when you're traveling, they give you some
pretty nice bags, so it's good to get to repurpose them.

(07:39):
Next on the list, we have shipping envelopes, perfect to
reuse when mailing documents or returns.
Instead of having to go buy envelopes over and over and
over, you could just repurpose them.
All right. And you can use them for returns
as well. Just some of the ticks and
tricks that we use, right? So you have things like silica

(08:08):
gel packs, stick them in your shoe or bags to absorb moisture.
Pretty neat trick. It actually absorbs all the
moisture in there. So great with use the silica gel

(08:30):
packs. Don't forget that yes, when you
have some great ideas, some great resourceful ideas, instead
of just tossing out those things, you can repurpose them
and up cycle. Right now.
Island vacation travel podcast guys is also sponsored by Genius

(08:52):
Reggae Jamaica tours, the ultimate Jamaica Tour Company.
Reach out to them at Genius Tours je.com, right?
Or you could reach out to us at www.islandvakis.com and we can

(09:13):
actually book your trips for youwith Chimney stores, right?
Don't forget to check them out right now.
We're just going to take a quickbreak to for our sponsors, Eric
Javits and Scone. Hey friends, I have to tell you

(09:39):
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(09:59):
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(10:23):
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(10:46):
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(11:08):
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(11:33):
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(11:58):
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(12:19):
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(12:42):
That is one word Island vacation, right?
Going to share it below. All right now going to get back
to the show. Now this one might be mind
blowing, mind blowing to everybody but toilet paper

(13:07):
tubes. These are gold for packing cords
or charging cables. Just coil them right and slide
them into the tube to keep things tangle free.
Plus you can label the tubes fordifferent devices.

(13:31):
I know it sounds simple, but my game changer as an audio visual
technician, that is some of the ways to part travel right?
To keep things separate and keepthings organized.
So toilet tubes is yet another one right?
We toss it away all the time. Another shocker, Use a cereal

(13:56):
box as a mini laptop stand. Just hold and cut the shape.
It's portable, recyclable, and perfect for digital nomads.
I know it sounds simple, but these are some of the things we

(14:16):
actually use to make life a little bit easier and keep the
world clean. Now don't forget guys, if you're
a St. Lucia hotel or resort looking to
feature your venue, your hotel on our podcast, we're booking

(14:40):
interviews now. If you're trying to promote your
brand, we're booking interviews now.
Visit our website whichisislandvacies.com that is
ISLANDVAC as.com/aboutus or e-mail us at

(15:05):
islandvacas@gmail.com to get featured and Share your story or
your business. Let us know what you got going
on. We would gladly promote it for
you. So we're opening up those
options right now to try to helpour Caribbean hotels, our
Caribbean tour operators like our Jamaican friends.

(15:30):
Feel free. We can get you on our podcast
right now. Guys, just take another few
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(15:54):
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(16:15):
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(16:39):
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(17:02):
Island Vacation Travel Podcast. We also earn Commission when you
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(17:26):
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(17:49):
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(18:11):
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(18:34):
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(19:03):
Right, awesome and don't forget to check out the port at the
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Cozy Earth actually have those bamboo sheets as well.
Try them out. That's all I'll say right now,

(19:23):
guys. Let us close out with a few last
gems. Milk cartoons cut into scoops
for gardening or beach play. Yeah, to scoop.

(19:44):
You could use it to scoop. Yeah, I'm a gardening guy, so I
wasn't talking to you right now.Would be in the garden.
That's one of our passions. So great week, right?
Next on the list? Plastic trees.
Use as drawer organizer or paintpallets.

(20:09):
Yes, also glass jars, glass jars, right?
You could use them for candle holders, plant pots or spice
containers instead of just tossing them away.
And I know I'm just giving you all some basic stuff, stuff
that's around your house that you toss away all the time.

(20:31):
It's also from the perspective of when you're traveling and you
come back with all those nice souvenirs and everything, you
have a lot of packaging that youneed to get rid of.
So just give me some hacks. These aren't just hacks, they're
habits that make your life more efficient and also equal
conscious, which were very big on, we should be big on.

(20:55):
We got to protect the police. We leave and we got to leave the
place intact for the people coming in the future.
Right now, guys, today I just want to take if you want to give
a quick thank you to our listeners and all our partners.
If you love what you're hearing,subscribe on Spotify, Apple

(21:20):
Podcast, I Heart, iTunes. That's just to name a few,
Pandora or any of your favorite platforms because it's also on
public radio as well. You could also support the show
by shopping on our affiliate links found at

(21:43):
www.islandvacase.com. That's ISLANDVAC as.com, right?
Or you could check out our store.
It can help you travel smarter while keeping the podcast
running. We would love that appreciation.

(22:05):
We love your comments. We love when we see feedback so
that we know we're doing a good job.
So I want to thank all our sponsors, everyone who listens.
And like I said guys, we will see the difference.
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(22:28):
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(22:52):
They're free of added sugar, caffeine, all artificial
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(23:13):
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(23:35):
That's right, we earn Commissionwhen you use our promotional
code. But trust me, your taste buds
and stress levels will thank you.
Trust us on it. You have a good one guys.
Enjoy. All right, now let's recap.

(23:58):
Packaging does not have to be a waste.
It can be a resource. Remember that from cable
organization to travel there, you now have a toolkit, right?
Of creative uses for all the stuff I just mentioned there,
right? Saving you money, reducing

(24:22):
waste, and staying organized areeasier than you actually thought
it was going to be. Remember, small changes lead to
huge impacts. What is your favorite parking
hack? Tag us at on Instagram at Island

(24:44):
Vacation Travel. That's all one would or comment
on today's podcast page, Spotify, Apple, just give us
some feedback guys. And don't forget to check out
our order podcast for more practical tips and also
lifestyle hacks. I want to thank you for tuning

(25:07):
in today to Island Vacation travel Podcast.
Until next time, travel smarter,travel light, and also think
outside the box. Literally, literally guys, think
outside the box. Do not be wasteful again.

(25:33):
Bye.
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