In the corporate sector, eco-friendly activities were formerly quite unique. Going green was once something that only specialised or progressive businesses would promote. But nowadays, adopting sustainable practises is no longer optional; rather, it's quickly becoming the norm.
Numerous groups are urging greater cooperation and eco-friendly actions to protect the environment.
Since there is only one planet where life is possible, everyone must contribute to protecting the environment.
Consequently, using sustainable packaging is a crucial step you can take as an online retailer to become more environmentally responsible. Since you work in the consumer goods industry, you probably utilise a variety of materials whenever you pack and ship goods.
We're going to go through what sustainable packaging is and how to use it in ecommerce to assist you in navigating its nuances. Additionally, you'll meet other online retailers who are excellent at turning green.
What Is Sustainable Packaging?
Simply put, sustainable packaging is earth-friendly and doesn’t contribute to the further depletion of natural resources.
The Sustainable Packaging Coalition (SPC) offers the following criteria for packaging to be considered sustainable:
Is beneficial, safe & healthy for individuals and communities throughout its lifecycle.
Meets market criteria for performance and cost.
Is sourced, manufactured, transported, and recycled using renewable energy.Simply said, environmentally friendly packaging doesn't contribute to additional resource depletion and is good for the environment.
For packaging to be deemed sustainable, the Sustainable Packaging Coalition (SPC) offers the following 8 criteria:
is advantageous, secure, and healthy for people and communities throughout its lifetime.
meets price and performance standards in the market.
uses renewable energy to be sourced, produced, moved, and recycled.
maximises the use of resources that are either renewable or recycled.
is produced using cutting-edge clean production techniques.
consists of sustainable materials that are good for the environment.
is physically constructed to maximise energy and materials.
is successfully recovered and used in closed-loop biological and/or industrial cycles.
Advantages of Sustainable Packaging
What precisely can you get out of eco-friendly packaging? We've talked a lot about sustainable packaging solutions and the various approaches that go along with it.
Let's examine some benefits of eco-friendly packaging:
Both your customer base and brand loyalty will grow.
Being more sustainable can increase customer loyalty while also assisting in consumer acquisition. Consumers are increasingly taking sustainability into account when deciding which brands to patronise, according to numerous studies.
According to a CGS survey of 1,000 U.S. customers, nearly 70% of participants rated sustainability as at least "pretty important," and nearly half (47%) stated they would be willing to spend 25% extra for sustainable goods.
Nielsen's research also revealed that 48% of consumers are prepared to alter their consumption patterns in order to lessen their environmental impact. And that goes beyond mere platitudes. According to Nielsen's analysis, sales of sustainable products have increased by almost 20% in the US since 2014, and the company predicts that they will reach $150 billion by the end of the following year.
Consolidated storage.
Sustainable packaging emphasises the use of fewer materials for packaging and less waste. And when properly applied, they result in more effective storage, allowing you to either free up more space to store more goods or reduce the amount of area needed to house your products.
reduced shipping expenses.
As was already noted, sending tiny, more manageable gifts is an excellent method to practise sustainability. This has the added benefit of lowering your shipping expenses.
For instance, UPS Ground charges $23.65 to ship a 12 x 12 x 12 box weighing 1 pound from New York to Los Angeles. However, your pricing drops to $17.72 if you can put your merchandise inside a box that is 10x10x10 inches instead. That's a $5.93 difference, which adds up quickly!
Sustainable Packaging Strategies
Let's look at the tactics and packaging innovations you can use to be more environmentally friendly with your packaging now that you are aware of what sustainable packaging is and what it comprises.
The following tactics will be covered in this section:
1 Disseminate top recycling and disposal techniques.
2 Ship in a more compact package.
3 recycled materials for packaging.
4 packaging made from plants.
5 palatable packaging
6 Plantable containers
7 alternatives to plastic that are biodegradable and compostable.
8 Do not overpack anywhere along the supply chain.
9 Utilize suppliers who practise sustainable production.
See which strategies make the most sense for your e-commerce firm by reading more about them below.
1. Disseminate top disposal and recycling techniques.
Teach your customers how to recycle and discard your packing materials properly. Because recycling policies differ from city to city, this step may be a little challenging. However, by prominently identifying recyclable or reusable packaging, you may spread general best practises.
Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day, a cleaning company, did a terrific job in this instance. The brand's bottles have a recycling icon and the statement: BOTTLES ARE MADE WITH AT LEAST 30% POST-CONSUMER PLASTIC on their labels. Veuillez recycle.
2. Ship in a more compact container.
Reducing the amount of packaging you use can help you make a big environmental difference. For your products, this entails using smaller boxes, bags, and containers. This not only makes you more environmentally friendly, but it also may result in lower shipping expenses.
Start by using less filler materials and using smaller packaging items to reduce the size of your packages.
Whether at all possible, experiment with the shape and placement of your products to determine if they may be packaged in smaller containers.
For instance, if you sell furniture that can be dismantled, consider alternative positioning options for the various parts of your product to see which method will free up the most space. Do you ship clothing, beds, or other foldable goods? To ensure that they will fit neatly in smaller boxes, keep them tightly folded or wrapped.
3. Recycled resources for packaging.
The life of previously used goods can be greatly increased by using recycled packaging. Consider using packaging produced from recycled materials when choosing boxes, mailers, or containers.
One of the most typical types of recycled packaging is paperboard cardboard. Paperboard is made from recycled paper pulp, is lightweight, and is simple to cut and shape, making it the perfect material for shipping boxes.
You can also choose mailers and containers made from recycled plastic items like bottles and single-use bags. These plastics are cleaned up at a recycling centre and then recycled into packaging materials.
4. Packaging made from plants.
Plant-based alternatives are quickly gaining ground in the industry of product packaging. These materials are made from biological sources, as their name implies; these sources range from corn and food waste to mushrooms and seaweed.
The products you need to package or send will determine the best plant-based packaging alternatives. For instance, if you sell food, you should make sure the packaging can protect it without diluting the flavour (bioplastics are a good solution for this). Choose sturdy plant-based materials, such as packing made of cornstarch and mushrooms, if you're delivering larger things.
5. Edible containers.
Consider plant-based as the relative of edible packaging. Biologically speaking, they are related, but edible packaging goes one step further by being safe to consume.
For businesses who sell food and drinks, edible packaging is a terrific alternative because it may enhance your already tasty products.
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