Your consumers had the experience of picking their way through layers of unnecessary packaging. Unfortunately, this is often part of the online shopping experience that is why E-pickpack, fulfilment company in Aylesbury, has decided to go green and recycling all its materials

Despite increased attention on the issue, sustainable eCommerce packaging strategies remain under-utilized by many businesses.

Understandably, E-pickpack want to do everything they can to prevent goods from getting damaged in transit. However, this usually translates to adding more packaging to the order fulfilment process. The end result is increased packaging waste, but often limited improvements to protective capabilities.

A complex packaging design that’s difficult to dispose of responsibly isn’t going to do your business any favours in the long run. For one, it negatively impacts your customer’s post-purchase experience. Worst of all, it also shows a serious lack of consideration towards the impact that packaging waste has on the environment.

Needless to say, having to dispose of this waste is a frustrating exercise for consumers – one that can leave them with negative feelings towards your brand.

Sustainable order fulfilment can be summed up in one word: Efficiency.

By making your packaging design as streamlined as possible, you will save on negative review!

It Impacts Brand Perception

Despite being the backbone of the order fulfilment process, packaging design is often an afterthought. Excess or non-recyclable packaging has traditionally been viewed as the responsibility of the vendor.

According to Shorr, just 11 percent of customers are satisfied with the packaging of their e-commerce orders. The main reasons are because packaging is excessive, too difficult to open, or isn’t recyclable. All of these factors will affect the way that customers perceive your brand.

Consumers Care More About Sustainability Than Ever Before

In 2020, there is much higher awareness about issues such as packaging waste and plastic pollution. This is having a measurable knock-on effect on consumer decision-making.

E-pickpack is now following a sustainable eCommerce packaging strategy because it speaks to every level of consumer knowledge about sustainability. It’s the most tangible expression of a brand’s eco-friendly commitments. In fact, a study by Mckinsey discovered that eco-friendly packaging is the biggest ‘green premium’ that consumers are willing to pay extra for!

With greater numbers of consumers expressing a preference for brands with green practices, a sustainable order fulfillment strategy is a strong statement of your brand’s eco-friendly credentials!

E-pickpack Avoid Over-Packaging

‘Over-packaging’ is where more packaging is used than is necessary to protect a product. Perhapsnot surprisingly, this is a widespread problem within eCommerce.

Before you make any design changes, it’s important to consider whether you actually need the amount of packaging you have been using. It’s quite possible that you could get by using a lot less!

Plus, while it may not seem like a lot per package, the cost of excess filler or boxes quickly adds up!

Eliminating this doesn’t just reduce packaging waste and save money – it also saves time by simplifying your order fulfillment. By cutting down the amount of time it takes to put together each package, you are creating a far more sustainable long-term packaging strategy.

E-pick will help you to decide Whether Boxes Are Necessary For Order Fulfillment

Due to online marketplaces such as Amazon, the brown cardboard box has become a ubiquitous part of online retail. However, they might not be necessary for every online order you receive.

For businesses selling small-sized goods and with smaller order sizes, shipping mailers present a lower impact, and more cost-effective, alternative. Because they are less bulky than boxes, it will also keep your shipping costs down!

If you do need boxes, make sure you are buying the appropriate size. If your boxes are too large, you may end up adopting the ‘Russian Doll effect’ i.e. packing boxes within boxes, or otherwise having to purchase filler materials. Both of these scenarios produce a lot of packaging waste, which is entirely avoidable.

In sum, the right-sized box is the foundation to a sustainable eCommerce packaging design!

E-Pickpack will Eliminate Plastic Packaging Where Possible

As a petroleum-based substance, plastic is a non-renewable resource that takes hundreds of years to break down. Because plastic production far outstrips both the natural biodegrading process and our recycling capabilities, plastic pollution has become a serious environmental issue.

According to National Geographic, only 9 percent of all plastic ever made has been recycled. The rest has ended up in our oceans, forests, and even the food chain.

Your business is performing a major service to the environment by not adding to this problem. Soft plastics, such as shrinkwrap, are particularly harmful as they cannot be recycled as easily as hard plastics. It usually needs to be taken to designated recycling centers, which may not be within easy reach of consumers.

Soft plastic can easily replaced within your order fulfillment strategy. If you are using it to create air cushions, crinkle-cut paper is a great alternative. To wrap up products for extra protection, you can substitute tissue paper or compostable substances such as corn starch and sugarcane.

E-pickpack recycling example paper shredding packaging

In Conclusion

E-pickpack has put in place a green energy strategy from 2020 with no cost impact for our customers but with a maximum impact for theirs retail customers.

Here at E-Pick Pack we are as flexible as they come. We have software to deliver a regular Pick and Pack Solution, but we also like to think we are extra accommodating to those of you needing that extra Mile. Give us a call now 01296-601-570 or email us at contact@e-pickpack.co.uk and find out just how flexible we can be OR fill in our Request a quote form.