Sustainability and socially responsible business are two key themes for consumers in 2018. Today, there is a bright spotlight on what kinds of choices brands give consumers who want to be more environmentally friendly – in fact, this is increasingly a significant factor in how consumers choose the businesses they want to align themselves with. So, how does this apply to the logistics market?
Environmentally friendly packaging
The issue of packaging has been the subject of intense discussion for some time. Consumers are becoming increasingly fed up with inappropriate and wasteful packaging – for example an enormous box for a tiny item and layers and layers of paper in between. So, there is a lot of interest in brands that are able to offer environmentally friendly packaging instead.
Environmentally friendly packaging is:
- Easily recycled. So, materials such as paper and glass are much more environmentally friendly than using some types of plastic packaging.
- Safe for individuals. Environmentally friendly packaging is free of toxic substances, not just those that could be dangerous to humans – such as BPAs – but materials that cause problems as waste.
- Can be reused. If packaging can be reused for another purpose then it doesn’t end up in landfill and so is much kinder to the environment.
- Is biodegradable. Packaging that decomposes in an environmentally friendly way will also fall within this category.
Environmentally friendly packaging options
With each year that passes there are more innovative solutions found to the challenge of creating environmentally friendly packaging. Currently, there are a number of useful eco packaging options on the market, including:
Eco boxes. Cardboard is recyclable and you can double up on your eco credentials by using boxes that are also made from recycled cardboard.
Eco bags. Many retailers currently use poly bags and these are not great for the environment. However, there are plenty of other options, including eco bags made from biodegradable materials.
Eco tape. Even the tape on parcels can be more environmentally friendly today – look out for packaging tape that is made from paper (with a latex based adhesive to ensure the tape does its job).
Eco protection. You don’t have to sacrifice the quality of protective elements of your packaging if you choose to go eco. Instead of bubble wrap, packing peanuts made from corn or other plant starch will do the job just as well.
Environmentally friendly delivery solutions
There are many ways to ensure that your logistics are greener, from using bike couriers for deliveries to grouping items together so that you require fewer shipments and less miles. Look for delivery partners with a focus on finding more environmentally friendly ways to ensure that your items arrive on time, such as clustering deliveries to avoid dead mileage. You can also search for low-emission transport companies to ensure you’re as green as you can be.
If you’d like to discuss how to make your packaging and delivery solutions more environmentally friendly with us, please get in touch.