Eco-friendly or sustainable packaging has evolved from a trend in recent years into a must-have for online retailers. Consumers’ awareness of environmental issues and desire for companies to follow sustainable policies have increased.
But environmentally friendly packaging isn’t just about reducing waste; it’s also a strategic move that benefits businesses, the planet, and consumers. So, if you want to embrace this practice in your business, it’s better to learn the strategies first.
The Rise of Sustainable Packaging
Online shopping has changed how we buy things, but it has also led to more packaging waste. Statistics indicate that packaging materials make up 65% of all household waste.
In addition, the e-commerce industry used 2.1 billion pounds of plastic packaging in 2019, and this amount is expected to increase more than fourfold by 2025. Even worse, 91% of all plastic produced that has ever been made has never been recovered.
This has made people more interested in eco-friendly packing, not just as a trend but as a required response to a disaster for the earth. Customers are becoming more conscious of this problem, which may be reflected in how they purchase items.
According to a Global Sustainability Study, 85% of customers have shifted their shopping habits over the last five years to coincide with more sustainable practices.
Furthermore, 60% consider sustainability an important issue when selecting goods and companies, which explains why the trend toward ecologically friendly packaging has increased.
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Practical Strategies for Sustainable Packaging
Adopting sustainable practices may seem daunting, but many organizations successfully implement these strategies while maintaining product quality and customer happiness. Here are five main tactics you may use:
Right Size Packaging
Right-sizing ensures that the package fits the product precisely, reducing material waste and transportation costs. Oversized boxes with additional filler materials not only annoy consumers, but also add considerably to trash.
For example, Apple reduced the size of its iPhone packaging, allowing for 70% more goods to be on shipping pallets while cutting emissions.
Lightweight Materials
As part of a lightweight plan, you must use sustainable packaging materials that are more robust and lighter than usual. This reduces shipping weight and emissions.
One way a corporation can significantly minimize its carbon footprint from pollution is to use recycled paper instead of plastics or bubble wrap for packaging.
Recyclable and Biodegradable Materials
Recyclable materials, such as cardboard, or naturally degradable items, such as corn starch boxes, may reduce the environmental impact. Because these items degrade quickly and are easy to retrieve, they do not contribute to long-term pollution.
Reusable Packaging
Some companies advocate reusable packaging options, such as double-sealed envelopes, which customers may return for future purchases. This circular economy strategy reduces waste while encouraging ecologically responsible customer behavior.
Minimalistic Design (Avoid Over Packaging)
Minimalistic design is a strategy for minimizing needless packaging. It focuses on utilizing the least amount of material while preserving the product.
This approach usually leads to cleaner designs that attract customers and reduce waste. Some companies even offer products without packaging if they think it’s unnecessary.
Examples of Sustainable Practices
If you wish to use the sustainable packaging tactics listed above, you may look at real-world examples from well-known firms throughout the globe. Here are a few samples for your reference:
Patagonia
With 100% recycled materials in its shipping bags, Patagonia encourages circularity and lessens landfill waste. Their commitment to sustainability speaks eloquently to their environmentally-minded customer base.
IKEA
IKEA has adopted flat-pack designs, which reduce material consumption and maximize space during transportation. This process makes their packaging 100% recyclable while lowering emissions.
Lush
Lush focuses on simple, biodegradable packaging. It wraps items using environmentally friendly, easily decomposable materials, consistent with its goal of reducing waste.
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E-commerce Packaging Considerations
While incorporating sustainable packaging practices provides various advantages, e-commerce businesses must consider the following factors:
Cost Considerations
Transitioning to sustainable materials often involves higher initial costs. However, reducing trash disposal costs and boosting consumer loyalty will help offset these costs over time. Many governments also offer tax incentives for adopting eco-friendly practices.
Brand Image
Sustainability plays a crucial role in how people view a company. Eco-friendly packaging boosts a company’s reputation and customer loyalty, as people are more willing to support companies that promote environmental responsibility.
Product Protection
While decreasing resources is necessary, it is also critical to ensure product safety. Damaged items reduce consumer satisfaction and increase waste via replacements and returns. Thus, achieving a balance between sustainability and durability is needed.
Overall, switching to sustainable packaging goes beyond responding to customers’ needs; customers want; it’s essential for the future of our planet.
Using the ideas discussed here, e-commerce enterprises may drastically minimize their environmental footprint while increasing consumer happiness. So, are you ready to make your packaging more sustainable? See a complete list of continuous inkjet printers here!
Referensi
https://meyers.com/meyers-blog/sustainable-ecommerce-packaging-best-practices/
https://disk.com/resources/sustainable-packaging-solutions/
https://www.ryder.com/en-ca/insights/blogs/e-comm/reduce-e-commerce-packaging-waste
