A large number of companies worldwide are making changes that benefit our environment. It might be due to new regulations, penalties or the companies have themselves realize to do something to save the planet. The main point to consider is that the consumers of today have become more aware of their role in ensuring environmental sustainability, therefore the packaging used by retailers has become an issue of concern. If you are thinking to switch to eco-friendly packaging, you have to keep in mind certain points to ensure a smoother transition. Here are some of the useful eco-friendly packaging tips for online sellers that may help them in creating a big difference.
Reduce Packaging Materials:
If you sell different sized items, it does not make sense to package all of them in the same sized box. For smaller items look for small-sized boxes or even smaller packaging if your current packaging options are much bigger than your items. This will help in bringing a considerable change in the amount of waste that you are creating by using large boxes and heaps of filler packaging like bubble wrap, Styrofoam peanuts, and much more! If your eco friendly boxes have branding elements on them, you do not have to change this completely. Simply shift these elements on to your new packaging, and make sure that they fit different size options you are now available with.
Interesting Fact!
A good example of reducing the packaging material is set by Amazon. They started getting thousands of complaints because of the huge boxes their sellers used to send even the tiny items. This generated tons of waste among which a large percentage was of plastic bubble filling. It is one of the dangerous substances proving a big threat to our environment. Amazon responded to their customers and changed their packaging. Moreover, it also made some new regulations to penalize sellers who use excessive packaging material.
1. Use Sustainable Materials:
Although you have worked upon the size of your packaging, you need to be concerned about what your boxes and mailers made up of?
Many sellers think that they use eco-friendly options but upon further analysis, they realize that they have included some form of plastic in their packaging that makes it almost impossible to recycle. Looking into that what you are currently using and finding more sustainable alternatives can work extremely well. For example, if you use bubble wrap in your mailer boxes, you can easily replace it with newspaper, Kraft paper, corrugated paper roll, or shredded paper to enhance the level of protection. However, using a biodegradable bubble wrap can also be a great option.
2. Stick with Sturdy and Reusable Packaging Options:
Packaging that is reusable, recyclable, or can be repurposed in some way is a great option. Durable boxes that can be reused to store various other items are a win for the customers as they get more than the items purchased. Similarly, if a box is made up of recyclable material, the customer feels satisfied as the packaging will reach its good end. Using burlap bags to enclose the items instead of tissue wrap is also an effective option. This is because the customer can use these burlap bags for grocery, proving a good alternative for plastic bags.
If you have a food business, offering reusable packaging to the customers can help them in returning to your business again and again. For example, you may sell reusable cups to motivate customers to enjoy their to-go coffee orders at a discounted price. These days, many sellers are also developing packaging that can be composted, planted, or converted to another item. As customers love to get something extra, so the packaging can be repurposed as a great surprise for them. It makes them feel that they are doing something purposeful, instead of generating waste.
3. Select your Packaging Company Wisely:
To ensure that you are doing everything in an eco-friendly way, it is also necessary to conduct some research on your packaging suppliers. Analyze whether they are working on reducing waste or doing something to offset the environmental impact? Therefore, choose the packaging suppliers who work actively towards becoming more sustainable. This does not only mean they produce eco-friendly or recyclable packaging, but their manufacturing processes should also be sustainable.
4. Consider Your Ink Usage:
Whether you believe it or not, inks can be the most expensive and wasteful part of your packaging. There are some alternatives like water-soluble and biodegradable inks (e.g. soy ink) that are good to use. However, the best thing you can do to reduce your waste is to reduce the use of ink. Use only where it is extremely needed. Inks that can get de-inked easily are better for recycling as they can be easily removed. It is also recommended to choose digital printing over offset printing as it uses less ink and few supplies. Reducing your ink usage is a great opportunity to update your packaging and make more eco-friendly changes to your brand image.
5. Include Recycling Instructions:
It is a fact that if your packaging is recyclable, it does not necessarily mean that everyone will recycle it. Sometimes people get confused by different materials used in your eco friendly boxes and are not sure that if it is recyclable or not. In such cases, including recycling instructions or a symbol on your packaging is the best way to motivate the customers to dispose of it properly.
