A growing number of consumers are aware of a business’s impact on the environment. In fact, many are seeking out companies that prioritize strong, positive missions, sustainability, and eco-friendly practices.
A joint study by McKinsey & Company and Nielsen IQ found that 78 percent of US consumers say that a sustainable lifestyle is important to them. Moreover, 60 percent of respondents said they’d pay more for a product with sustainable packaging.
It’s clear that consumers want brands that care, making it crucial for businesses to find ways to decrease their effect on the environment. That’s why many companies are looking for new methods of designing, producing, and shipping their products with sustainability in mind.
Retailers that want to stay competitive must think about eco-friendly packaging ideas, sustainable shipping, and staying on-trend with customer desires, especially with ecommerce packaging.
What are eco-friendly shipping supplies?
Eco-friendly shipping supplies facilitate sustainable order fulfillment and refer to creative and innovative alternatives to traditional packaging materials, including eco-friendly shipping boxes and biodegradable shipping bags.
The key to sustainable and eco-friendly shipping is supplies made from renewable, recyclable, or biodegradable materials. Things such as:
- Corrugated cardboard
- Recycled paper
- Plant-based plastics
- Reusable packaging options
These materials should aim to minimize waste, reduce carbon footprint, and reduce or eradicate any harmful chemicals used in production.
The good news is that with the growing demand, there are many options available to companies conscious of their effect on the environment.
The importance of zero-waste packaging
An estimated 57 million tons of plastic pollution are generated annually, with about 11 million tons entering the ocean yearly, harming marine life and ecosystems. In perspective, that’s equivalent to 9.5 million elephants, or full loads from 6 million garbage trucks.
Zero-waste packaging is innovative and important for many reasons. The waste that humans are creating continues to increase as the global population grows, and zero waste is a great solution for the following reasons:
- Recycling, unfortunately, does not solve all environmental problems. It is not entirely successful, despite widespread adoption by customers. This is partly because of confusion over recycling best practices and contaminated recycling streams that are ineffective or inefficient.
- Most recycling in the United States is single-stream, which means that there is only one recycling bin for glass, metal, plastic, and paper. This means that a lot of customers are simply not sure which materials and products are recyclable and which materials cannot be recycled, especially since some products are made from a mix of different materials.
- Plus, recycling codes vary in different locations, meaning that a lot of recyclable materials end up in landfills when the recycling streams get contaminated with the incorrect materials.
This is why it’s more crucial than ever to find recycling alternatives, like zero-waste packaging.
- Zero waste can save your business money. Zero waste refers to businesses setting up systems for containers and waste after products are in buyers’ and customers’ hands. While this can certainly be a difficult task, it’s also cost-effective for your company since the materials return to your business for repurposing and reuse.
- Zero waste has a positive environmental impact. Using zero-waste packaging for shipping purposes has a substantial positive impact on the environment, as you are not creating any waste with your packaging and shipping materials.
- Zero waste helps build brand loyalty. Zero-waste packaging can also help increase ecommerce customer retention with your target audience and those who want more environmentally-friendly products and consumer options. As younger generations begin to power retail, it becomes more important–surveys and studies are finding that Gen Z demands sustainability in retail.
Recycled packaging ideas
If you’re ready to put eco-friendly choices into play, here are some examples of green shipping boxes and other top recycled packaging ideas:
Biodegradable packing peanuts
Many cities around the United States are banning styrofoam, also known as expanded polystyrene foam or EPS, because the material is not economically recyclable or biodegradable. It can also end up in waterways, causing devastation to marine life. Consider using biodegradable air peanuts, which are less expensive and don’t cause pollution to our environment.
Corrugated bubble wrap
Traditional bubble wrap packaging is not very environmentally friendly since it is made of plastic. However, there are plenty of alternatives, including corrugated bubble wrap. Corrugated bubble wrap is made from corrugated and up-cycled cardboard. Small cuts are made in the cardboard pieces to create an effect that protects against shocks, just like bubble wrap.
Air pillows made from recycled materials
Another fantastic eco-friendly (and cost-friendly) option is inflatable air pillows made from recyclable materials. These air pillows come in a wide range of different sizes and are perfect for offering cushioning around packed items and filling up voids in boxes.
Cornstarch packaging
Cornstarch packaging is made from an organic material that comes from the maize or corn plant. Cornstarch has many plastic-like properties, so it can be used in scenarios where plastic is traditionally used, including for loose-fill packaging, molded forms, and bottles.
Mushroom packaging
Mushroom packaging uses ground and cleaned agricultural waste that is fused with mushroom roots or mycelium. The raw mushroom packaging material can be molded into different shapes for packaging. Consumers can also compost it at home.
Seaweed packaging
The substance agar is found in several different algae and seaweeds and can be used in a variety of applications. More recently, agar has been used as a packaging material and is considered to be the new eco-friendly packaging alternative.
Recycled cardboard and paper
Cardboard and paper are two of the most recyclable materials out there. We recommend using post-consumer or post-industrial recycled cardboard and paper as your packaging materials.
Reusable containers
Durable boxes or bins made from materials like plastic or metal that can be used multiple times for shipping, reducing the need for single-use packaging.
Cloth bags
Sturdy, washable fabric bags used to pack products, ideal for retail or clothing items, and can be reused by customers.
Returnable packaging programs
Programs where customers return packaging for reuse, such as reusable totes or crates, often incentivized with discounts or credits.
How a 3PL can help you ship sustainably
When brands work with a third-party logistics (3PL) provider, they unlock a number of services that can help meet their sustainability goals like:
- Minimizing split shipments through smarter inventory management.
- Offering carbon-neutral shipping via partner integrations.
- Promoting recycling through custom waste removal strategies.
- Unlocking multi-node fulfillment can also reduce shipping distances and emissions.
Look for 3PLs that not only understand sustainable logistics but actively practice it.
At Kase, we’re committed to making ecommerce fulfillment more sustainable with eco-friendly packaging options, carbon-neutral shipping, and a seamless carbon offsetting experience through our partnership with EcoCart.
Every shipment is an opportunity to reduce your brand’s environmental impact—and we’re here to help you do just that. Reach out to one of our fulfillment experts today to learn more.
