Making green packaging solutions part of your e-commerce business
We agree that sustainable packing solutions are massively important. Focusing your business processes on sustainability demonstrates to customers that, as a company, you care about the environment and social issues that are important to your customers. We’re going to shed some light on the various ways in which your business can practice a more sustainable approach to handling and fulfilment, so you can make eco-friendly packaging part and parcel of your e-commerce business.
As you know, e-commerce is one of the fastest-growing industries in the world. By the end of the year, B2C e-commerce turnover in the UK is expected to reach over €200 billion, compared to €175 billion last year, which equals an increase of over 14.6% (Cross Border Magazine). The growth of e-commerce is promising, and many online retailers are beginning to realise that environmental sacrifices need not occur for the sake of economic growth.
On a global level, the number of consumers who say they would be willing to pay more for sustainable/eco-friendly products has grown from 49% in 2011 to 57% in 2018 (Globalwebindex). Sustainable packaging has become a must-have for any e-commerce brand looking to consolidate the future success of their business, especially within the ever changing consumer landscape. Consumers are also more environmentally aware, with 42% claiming that products using recycled/sustainable materials are important in their day-to-day shopping (Globalwebindex).
So, how can your ecommerce business adapt to this? How can you minimise packaging waste, and what benefits does it bring?
The first step towards greener packaging practices is to choose the right packaging for the task at hand. Let’s face it, it’s incredibly annoying receiving packaging that is far too large for the item you ordered. Yes, you may have received your book, but you’re now left with the remains of the unsuitably large cardboard box it took to deliver your item, as well as the guilt of realising how wasteful the packaging is.
The solution is to right size your packaging practices. Instead of using more padding and filler to fill the space of the box, you can opt for a more customised package size, allowing you to ship your products without the need for superfluous packing materials. Customised packaging makes for a better customer experience and gives your business the opportunity to personalise the packaging to your customer’s tastes. It can also be used as a means for brand messaging and can result in deeper brand recognition.
Right sizing your packaging also alleviates shipping costs, as it reduces the weight of the parcel which means it will be less costly to ship your products. This kind of commitment to greener packaging practices is something that your consumer will notice, as it can help make their lives easier by reducing the waste they have to deal with on the receiving end. It can also be conducive to a healthier brand identity, as greener packaging will help promote a more responsible habit of consumption across your target audience.
A great example of how eco-friendly packaging can exhibit of your brands environmentally friendly ethos is Puma’s “Clever Little Bag” initiative. The Clever Little Bag came as a result of Puma and Fuseproject partnering to create a reusable shoe bag that serves as a replacement to the traditional shoebox. The Clever Little Bag reduced Puma’s cardboard use by 65%, as well as saving 8500 tons of paper, 1 million litres of water (Fuseproject). You can learn more about this highly innovative initiative by watching their video campaign.
One thing that many ecommerce sites have to adapt to is the returns process. Did you know that at least 30% of all products ordered online are returned as compared to 9% in brick-and-mortar stores (Invesp)? Return rates are only bound to increase for e-commerce sales, and your business could stay ahead of the curve by investing in intelligently designed, reusable packaging that mitigates waste and enables a streamlined reverse logistics process for online retailers.
Take it from us – we’re experts when it comes to B2B and B2C order fulfilment solutions. Handling and fulfilment is one of our many fortes, and we tailor our solutions to your specific requirements by working with you to fully understand how your ecommerce business works, as well as your customers. If you’re looking for advice regarding your next handling and fulfilment project, let our experienced team be the ones to add value to your business with their knowledge and expertise.
Our handling and fulfilment services include:
- POS kitting & collation
- Order fulfilment & returns handling
- Pick & pack services
- Sampling solutions
- Brochure & membership pack fulfilment
- Contract packing solutions
Get in touch to learn how Granby could help you with your next handling and fulfilment project.