eCommerce companies make the world a more convenient place when it comes to getting your hands on products. That said, they also heavily contribute to the carbon footprint, which can make them less appealing to certain audiences. From transportation emissions to excessive packaging waste, there’s no denying that eCommerce companies are no friend of the environment. As a result, various eCommerce companies are looking to employ methods that improve their environmental impact. To that end, detailed below are just some of the environmentally positive changes that can be made to your eCommerce company.
Transfer Deliveries in Bulk Where Possible
Firstly, shipping out products in small volumes means that more trips will be required, which results in a negative environmental impact. In contrast, shipping in bulk means that one journey carries out the same job as multiple would. That said, it’s not all about shipping in bulk; you also require the correct materials to do so. These include plastic pallets that have a longer lifespan than their timber counterparts and can be recycled once they can no longer be used. Companies might also make use of environmentally friendly vehicles, such as electric vans.
Select the Correct Packaging Size
We’ve all ordered something online and been shocked at the sheer amount of packaging that comes with it. While it’s important to keep products protected during transit, there is such a thing as going overboard. This is especially true of unbreakable items, such as clothes, upholstery, or soft toys. For products such as this, you won’t require more than a singular box or paper bag that’s the correct size to contain the contents. Not only is it better for the environment to use the right-sized packaging, but it also ensures the customer isn’t misled about the size of the product.
Limit the Use of Non-Biodegradable Materials
In some cases, extra packaging will be required to cushion the item and ensure it doesn’t break during transit. In many cases, companies opt for bubble wrap, packaging peanuts, plastic air pouches, Styrofoam, and other non-biodegradable materials. Of course, you don’t want to compromise the condition of the product; however, there are alternative options to protect fragile items. These include bulky cardboard sleeves, shredded cardboard, layers of paper, and paper tape. Gone are the days in which protecting your product means harming the environment; modern methods make it possible to almost eradicate non-biodegradable materials entirely from the shipping process.
Don’t Offer Express Delivery on Every Product
Express delivery is a handy option for customers; however, it isn’t very beneficial to the environment. While it’s a good business model to offer express delivery on some items, it isn’t something that should be provided as standard. Moreover, your awareness of this will fare well with your customers, especially at a time in which eco-friendly practice is more important than it ever has been before. In fact, more and more people are steering away from interacting with certain businesses due to how they damage the environment. Consequently, not only will improving your environmental impact make you a better friend of the environment, but it will also make you more appealing to customers.
Investigate Sustainable Delivery Options
Many shipping companies offer sustainable delivery options, including DHL or FedEx. These companies strive to use recycled materials, buy sustainable products from licensed suppliers, use renewable energy, reduce fuel consumption, and employ other eco-friendly practices. As previously mentioned, eco-friendly delivery methods will take a little longer for the product to reach your customer, but this slight inconvenience will be worth it when keeping the well-being of the environment at the forefront.
