Sustainable e-commerce through Sustainable Packaging

E-commerce sustainability is more important than ever. One way to justify this aspect is to use sustainable packaging. Here are some tips for packing your products ecologically and earning points with your customers. 

Ecology as a matter of course

Customers are sensitive to sustainability. You expect, of course! The company behaves ecologically. Of course, this also includes eco-friendly shipping when ordering products online. For you as an online retailer, eco-friendly packaging is the easiest and most effective way to deliver sustainability. 

Reliable sustainability is important 

The term “greenwashing” means something to you. Note: Companies can use marketing and public relations to create ecology images without effective sustainability measures. That’s why it’s a hoax. 

It’s not easy for consumers to determine the true sustainability of a company. What is true? But what is a fake? Therefore, for an online shop to be truly sustainable, it needs not only the right products but also eco-friendly shipping and packaging. Reason: Sustainable packaging is conquering the market! You can find everything about e-commerce sustainability on our blog. 

What does Sustainable Delivery mean? 

When customers say they value sustainable delivery, it means sustainable packaging. For example, in a 2019 Nosto survey, 75% of people who ordered fashion items said they wanted fewer packages, especially eco-friendly. 

Of course, this statement doesn’t just apply to the fashion industry. According to the IPC Cross Border ECommerce Shopper Survey, 47% of all customers want a recyclable package. 

What exactly is sustainable packaging? 

So far, it’s very good. It turns out that e-commerce customers want sustainable packaging. But which one is there? What are they good for? Read more: We bring light into the darkness. 

There are several ways to make the packaging process more environmentally friendly. Here, the three keywords of zero waste, “reduction,” “reuse,” and “recycling,” are useful. 

• Reduction: Reduce packing material 
• Reuse: Reuse packing material 
• Recycle: Recycle packing material 

Point 1: Reduce because reduction is the best 

Logic: Everything that is used No need to recycle, or worse, no need to dispose of away! Will. Therefore, packaging reduction is a first-class solution. Optimal adaptation of the outer packaging of the cargo can save and reduce the inner packaging material. 

Customers are frustrated when they receive the ordered product in an oversized package. Compare product to package size ratios and quickly see if unwanted raw materials are wasted instead of using sustainable packaging. And your company is already in the negative light. Your customers are afraid that you are doing greenwashing. 

Then when customers have to throw away all the packages, it makes them even more annoying. In addition to the concept of sustainability, there is additional work, and if the package cannot be recycled, there will be additional costs.  If you reduce the package, you win too. Smaller packages are lighter, which reduces shipping costs. 

Save fuel and money with sustainable packaging when transporting small items. 

Point 2: Reuse 

Second Life, as it works, inhales into the product; we know it from our private life. How are you? This also applies to packaging! There are various ways to reuse a package along the value chain. 

Let’s start from the beginning of the value chain. The goods received from the supplier have already been packed and shipped. The first thing you need to do is remove the package and dispose of it. 

Consider whether the package can be used for further shipment. Of course, you need to look carefully at the package. Is it still intact? Do you still have enough protection for your product? Depending on the packaging material, it may or may not be reusable. For example, if the return boxes are still in place, you can reuse them to ensure truly sustainable packaging. 

Do it yourself:  make filling material yourself

Do you know a wrapping machine that makes your own fillers? Let me briefly explain what it is. 

With the Packaging Cushion, you can make your own filler from old cardboard boxes, padded cushioning mats, and flats. Packaging cushions are perfect for online shops! This is because the amount of filler can be adjusted quickly as needed. 

At first glance, the high acquisition cost of a machine may seem a bit daunting. However, if you can make your own upholstery, you can save money in the long run. 

More Exciting Possibilities for Sustainable Packaging 

Another innovative possibility for reusing packaging materials is Karopack’s upholstery cushions. 

Some companies offer reusable exteriors for e-commerce. An example of this is RePack. The mechanism is as follows. The goods are delivered to the customer in a reusable package, and the customer returns them empty by mail.

Point 3: Recycle because there is no plastic in the e-commerce 

We all know what plastic does to our oceans and their creatures. Therefore, society is very sensitive to plastics. 

When it comes to plastic packaging, most customers nose because it conflicts with sustainable packaging goals. 

But: There are choices! Here’s what the most common packaging materials are and how to replace them with more eco-friendly materials. Distinguish between inner and outer packages. 

Eco-friendly inner package 

As shown above, the perfect size of the outer package is important so as not to require unnecessary fillers. This is because the filler goes straight into the bottle. 

You can hardly do it without a completely upholstered material. Here we introduce fillers that are often used in internal packaging and environmentally friendly alternatives. Ready? go! 

By the way, you can also save money by adjusting the package size! 

Polystyrene Tip (Package Flake) 

Polystyrene Tip is used to fill cavities and cushion impact. However, the product should be packed in a plastic bag or bubble wrap to prevent the chips from damaging the product. 

Polystyrene tips are made of plastic. Therefore, it is only partially suitable for sustainable packaging in e-commerce. Theoretically, these chips can be recycled, but firstly the customer does not know it, and secondly, many recycling stations do not accept them at all. 

Many customers consider Polystyrene chips to be an environmentally harmful and extra packaging material. It doesn’t shed a good light on your company. 

However, there are also more environmentally friendly alternatives. A filler made from corn, potatoes, and wheat starch. They serve exactly the same purpose but are 100% biodegradable. 

Wood wool 

This eco-friendly packaging material has only the following advantages: 

• 100% biodegradable. 
• The operation is easy. 
• It’s cheap. 

Air Cushion: An Unsustainable Solution for E-Commerce 

Air Cushion is also used to fill cavities. They protect especially well from impact. Air cushions are often made of plastic, but they are also made of recyclable materials such as HDPE film. But again, recyclability is like a fairy tale. Many recycling centres do not even accept this type of plastic.  

The good thing about the Air cushion is its lightness. It is composed of 99% air. This saves weight and shipping costs. Also, there is very little effective waste. 

Problem: Customers do not perceive air cushions as environmentally friendly and therefore, sustainable packaging. Therefore, we use recyclable materials and promote how they are ecological and recyclable. 

Crumpled Paper / Newspaper 

A recyclable filler material alternative is crumpled paper or newspaper. By the way, there are crumpled papers not only for small and light ones but also for heavy ones. 

Bubble Wrap 

This material is especially suitable for packing small items and cushioning for transportation. 

Roll cardboard is a good alternative. It performs the same function but is recyclable and much more suitable for sustainable packaging. 

Eco-friendly outer box for e-commerce 

Choosing the right size outer box has taken the first step towards cost savings and sustainable packaging. The second is to implement “cardboard instead of plastic”. 

Cardboard boxes made from recycled cardboard are better than cardboard boxes. Swiss Post offers this in a variety of sizes. 

If you want to send temperature-sensitive items, there is a Swiss Post Thermo Care package. These allow temperature-controlled transportation without additional cooling systems. Want to know more about it? 

Another plus of this special material: The ThermoCare Box is a reusable box that can be completely recycled at the end of its useful life. 

Adhesive Tape 

Wrapping Tape is mainly composed of PP or PVC plastic film coated with chemical adhesive. 

But here too, summarised there are ecological options! In other words, it is a resin-coated paper parcel tape that is easy to recycle. There are two different types available: 

• Classic Version 
• Wet Version, Moisten the tape and then glue it firmly to the box. This method adheres very well and is very safe for transportation. A small drawback of paper tape is that it is not transparent. 

Summary of the Most Important Facts about Sustainable Packaging. 

Have you read the entire blog? Excellent! To give you all the information about sustainable packaging at a glance, we have briefly summarized what is most important to you: 

• Your customers want ecological packaging. 
• This is the easiest way to reach your goal. 
• Minimise packaging material. 
• Use the material already used for packaging.  Use biodegradable or recyclable materials for the package. 
• Sustainable packaging is not always the norm for our customers. Therefore, make them aware that transportation is sustainable.