Online retail sales booming is great for the economy and for businesses, however there’s one issue progressing that we can all play a part to resolve.
CEO & Co-founder of Sendle, James Chin Moody believes consumers and businesses have an important role to play in minimising waste and tackling the packaging crisis.
“In today’s climate-conscious world, sustainability is a competitive advantage for small businesses,” says Mr Moody.
“Prioritising the environment is no longer a radical move, in fact, an increasing number of consumers expect it. Sustainability can and should be at the forefront of all businesses, irrespective of size or industry.”
The team at Sendle present some simple ways businesses can tackle the crisis:
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Where you can, minimise packaging
Recycling alone is no longer enough to combat the packaging crisis.
Opt for bulk packaging over individual wrapping when purchasing inventory or goods and consider how you can simplify packaging for your customers too.
“Distribute your products in reusable boxes or non-plastic cartons. Bulking up your packaging with paper, trimmings and protection is wasteful and that’s exactly how your customer will perceive it.
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Consider the material you use in your packaging:
Luckily for retailers, sourcing sustainable and aesthetically pleasing packaging has become easier thanks to rapid innovation in the packaging space.
Play around with innovative material swaps such as mycelium mushroom in place of plastic or biodegradable air peanuts instead of traditional Styrofoam.
At Sendle, we offer 100% compostable satchels.
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Reduce wasteful returns:
Customer returns are a large contributor to carbon emissions – and packaging waste globally.
Last year, our 2020 consumer survey found that 64% of consumers said they’d be more likely to make a purchase from a retailer that offered compostable packaging (especially if it didn’t cost more).
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How to lower your carbon footprint in 2021:
The final step in your supply chain (delivery) is often the greater contributor of carbon emissions. An easy way to minimise your carbon footprint is to partner with a carbon-neutral shipper, like Sendle, which offsets its carbon emissions.
For every tonne of carbon dioxide Sendle releases into the air while delivering parcels, we cancel it out by supporting world-changing projects that preserve and regenerate natural ecosystems and reduce greenhouse gases.
By doing this, we ensure that all Sendle deliveries have a net carbon footprint of zero.
Learn more about Sendle and its delivery system, by clicking here.