What packaging should you use for Vinted and other preloved apps?

Vinted users and the like are notoriously conscious about reuse – after all, the platform is centred around buying and selling second-hand clothing, and about saving money too. Despite this, Vinted sellers often ask what packaging they should use, and whether it’s okay to pack clothing and footwear in used packaging. As if somehow people will turn their noses up at a box that’s been used before.

As all great researchers do, we turned to Reddit to get the word on the street about exactly what is acceptable when it comes to packing your second hand items for Vinted. The results were overwhelmingly in favour of cardboard box reuse, and in fact reusing anything that could act as packaging – including the outer box for nappies!

What Redditors think about packaging for Vinted

Clean, appropriate and secure packaging

“I’ve sold 150-odd items… I reuse parcels I receive. I use bags for life, bin bags, gift bags, delivery boxes, all sorts. Never once had a complaint about it, along as they’re clean and well taped it’s not an issue.” - Matthews_89

“Use those materials you have lying around!! I sold over 100 items the last few years and always used reused packaging. Just make sure they are clean and that it is packaged and taped properly and securely. I never got bad feedback for that.” - ros_corazon

“It doesn’t bother me as long at the packing is clean and the item arrives safe and undamaged.” - moppykitty

Reducing waste and acting sustainably and ethically

“As long as the packaging is clean and has kept the item safe and clean, I don't care what it is. In fact, I think it's good if I see packaging reused, as half the point of Vinted is to reduce waste.” - pavlovs_pavlova

"I primarily reuse packaging and have never had an issue. Part of the reason I use vinted is because I care about sustainability so I'm not going to be buying loads of new packing materials. People aren't going to care so long as the packaging is clean and the item(s) come undamaged." - Sea-Acanthaceae5553

“[The packaging] doesn't bother me at all as long as the item is protected enough. I see no point throwing something reusable straight to trash when it can be reused. Major reason I thrift vs shopping new too”. - shackledflames

Thoughts on bin bags and carrier bags?

"The only problem I have is if the seller uses a carrier bag and just ties the handle and all that turns up, is the bag 🤦‍♀️🤣 At least use some tape. Otherwise, I don't care." - maleficentwasright

"I dislike bin bags because typically when I’ve received things in bin bags they’re really poor quality ones and wrapped so poorly that my item is just hanging out of it."  – Bskns

Bin bags wouldn’t be ideal in our eyes as they are typically single-use items. Far better to get some cardboard from your local supermarket and sandwich your item in between two sheets of corrugated board.

Amazon packaging is a common choice…

"I reuse these big cardboard envelopes that amazon sends books in. Perfect for posting....books!" - i_am_nimue

Official Vinted packaging rules

Vinted have published their own list of packaging rules and requirements. 

They recommend to:

‘Use sturdy outer packaging’ that ‘fits the item’s size and weight’. Use ‘appropriate material for inner packaging’ such as bubble wrap, paper or corrugated material. Most surprisingly, they recommend ‘using the packaging provided by the carrier at your nearest locker’. For a company that celebrates reuse, it’s surprising that they ask users to buy new packaging.

Luckily, it seems that no one listens to this advice and the majority prefer to use packaging they already have at home from parcels they have received in the past. We suspect that the recommendation to use new boxes is to reduce complaints and issues associated with wrapping items poorly. It may also be to reduce the likelihood of parcels getting lost or not processed quickly or efficiently. All valid points if that's the case; just a little wasteful.

There are pros and cons of using new packing materials, and it seems like most Vinted users are fairly careful to make sure their item reaches their buyer if they decide to use second-hand. Our thoughts are that as long as you’ve protected the item and the label is clearly visible, use whatever you like! Reddit users seem to agree!

Q & A

Q: Can you send vinted parcels in bin bags?

A: Yes, but make sure they are good quality, thick bin bags. Tape them up securely but not excessively so your buyer does not accidentally tear their item while trying to cut open the parcel. Ensure the label is clear to read.

Q: What can I use for packing material on Vinted

A: Cardboard boxes are the most popular reusable packaging products. If the cardboard box is too big you can easily cut the box down to size or cut off the flaps to make cardboard sheets to wrap around your item.

Q: How do I package shoes and trainers for Vinted?

A: The obvious choice would be an old shoe box, but you can use any cardboard box. As above, simply cut one down to size. It’s not recommended to use bags as the shoes could get squashed and misshapen. It’s also advisable to stuff each trainer with old newspapers or second-hand packing paper so that they keep their shape.

Conclusions from our research

It’s perfectly fine to reuse packaging for your Vinted items, and most buyers approve of it. Just make sure it’s clean, appropriate, secure, well-packaged and clearly labelled. Just think how much waste is saved by all the Vinted users whose packaging is second-hand. In fact, many people we spoke to will use packaging many times over – music to our ears!

Psst!

If you’re running a business through Vinted, Depop, eBay or another selling platform then consider buying your used cardboard boxes from a reputable provider like Sadlers – it’s a cheap and reliable option for buying cardboard packaging in bulk.

Sources

Reddit: Is it seen as really negative to reuse packaging?

Reddit: does bad packaging bother you?

reddit.com/r/vinted/

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