There was a time when transportation of goods to where they’d be used was entirely up to the consumer. However, shipping is now almost inseparable from online shopping. About 2.14 billion people that shop online on the planet rely on shipping services.
Being able to operate a business online rather than in a brick-and-mortar establishment means fewer costs. Optimizing your shipping techniques for a better customer experience is vital since online businesses have little to no personal contact with customers. One of the best ways to establish a form of contact is to show concern for the customers’ preferences, for instance, with eco-friendly shipping and shopping. In fact, about 75% of millennials are willing to pay more for products that show environmental sustainability.
It’s obvious that eco-friendly practices are crucial to the future of our planet. However, some dynamics might need a little clarification. Let’s take a look at all of these elements.
eCommerce and Shipping
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As mentioned earlier, online businesses go hand in hand with shipping. Since the online market will keep growing, it is vital to consider eco-friendly packaging alternatives. Many customers will consider how their products are packaged and the eco-footprint they leave. When businesses utilize eco-friendly packaging alternatives, they boost their standing with consumers and benefit the environment.
The Importance of Eco-friendly Shipping Solutions
Shipping plays a significant role in GHG emissions. Therefore, green shipping solutions are bound to affect the future of our environment. When green packaging is blended with the use of clean fuels, the difference will be quite significant.
Why Choose Green Shipping?
Emissions from shipping activities are predicted to grow by up to 50% by 2050 if they aren’t managed closely. There is huge available potential for reducing shipping emissions. The techniques at our disposal include weather routing, slow steaming, contra-rotating propellers, and propulsion devices. Sounds complicated, right? It would be easier and more accessible to move towards green and eco-friendly shipping.
Making Steps Toward Eco Friendly Shopping and Shipping Practices
1. Offer a Green Check-Out Option
Green check-out options, such as combined shipping and packaging options, show your customers that you’re dedicated to the conservation of the environment. As mentioned earlier, some consumers will make product decisions based on the eco-friendliness of a product and its shipping. More shoppers are growing aware of the need to conserve the environment.
2. Use Shipping Software
Shipping software makes it easy to make your shipping organized and make it green. Human error goes out of the window with shipping software. This means that your paper waste is lessened. Customers also receive reliable and easy shipping options. When the shipping process is automated, the pressure on tracking your deliveries is abated, and you have more time on your hands.
3. Limit the Use of Unrecyclable and Unsustainable Materials
Customers like the idea and expect you to use sustainable or recycled materials to create your packaging. Since plastic and Styrofoam are two of the largest pollutants on the planet, choosing a greener alternative should be a no-brainer. Many businesses use organic, biodegradable, recycled, and reusable materials, such as paper, cardboard, and glass.
Many consumers and business owners prefer flexible custom bags and pouches to traditional containers and bottles. They’re easy to store, transport, and open and have many other unique advantages. Additionally, flexible pouches have 60% fewer plastics than traditional rigid packaging. This interprets to lower costs and ultimate waste. They are also foldable and easier to transport, which saves on fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.
Bottom Line
Green packaging and shipping design solutions come with many options, which the world is ready for. The world has widely accepted standards and rules that guide everyone toward these green solutions through the Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP) and Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI). You should think as carefully as possible about how you can save money and save the environment through eco-friendly shopping and shipping. The planet depends on it!