Introduction
Sustainability is no longer just a fancy word to talk about, it has now become a necessity. Businesses today want to meet consumer demands, and that too via eco-friendly practices. An important aspect of meeting this demand and keeping up with the world is adopting eco-friendly packaging for the shipping procedure. Don’t you think using these materials will not only ensure a healthy step for our future generation but also give a boost to your business? Do ponder over it, especially as part of your ecommerce development process, which emphasizes sustainable practices.
Now let us take some time and start our discussion on why exactly we should take this new step and start with eco-friendly packaging to enhance your shipping business. Not only this, we will also help you understand how you can integrate these steps in your business.
Why Eco-Friendly Packaging Matters
Every now and then, we go through the news regarding the growing pollution in our environment and how it is affecting not just us but also creating a great threat to our upcoming generation. Although governments around the world are trying to impose rules and regulations to lessen this effect, every man on this planet needs to take a step by himself. While talking about international shipping businesses, you can do your part by using Eco-friendly packaging materials for shipping goods. It might not sound like a huge leap but is surely a great step with long-term benefits for all.
What does eco-friendly packaging mean? Well, this includes using packaging items that are solely or mostly created from recyclable shipping packaging or biodegradable materials that are sustainable. If we compare them with the traditional plastic packaging that has been widely used for a long time, these biodegradable materials are extremely less harmful and do not impact the environment’s health like other options.
Not just this, even customers today are also doing their part in maintaining the environment’s health by opting for recyclable and biodegradable materials and won’t hesitate to pay some extra for that. If the consumers are ready to follow this, it is necessary for businesses also to keep up with these demands and build up an eco-friendly reputation for your shipping brand.
Benefits of Using Eco-Friendly Packaging for Shipping
Reducing Environmental Impact
One of the worst packaging products to ever use is plastic, and we are sure you are well aware of the harm it causes to the environment. Due to being non-biodegradable, they not only leave harmful gases and affect human health but are also responsible for destroying other members of our ecosystem.
To ensure that wastage is minimized and harm is lessened to the least, it would be an appreciating step for shipping businesses to do packaging via recyclable or biodegradable materials. Our important land, water, and other resources could be well saved for our future.
Enhancing Brand Reputation
Imagine being the talk of the town for the eco-friendly steps you take in your business. Everyone talking about a shipping company that not only cares about the planet’s health but also ensures and fulfils consumer demands. A human touch is something that is desired to make a reputation of your brand, and how you present your business decides your growth.
This is how you can grab the attention of environment-conscious customers who value the impact caused by their usage on the ecosystem and atmosphere they live in.
Compliance with Regulations
Every country’s government and even organizations at the world level have created a number of laws, rules, and regulations to be followed by countries, industries, factories, and even common people. All these steps are taken to keep an eye on plastic waste and its harmful effects on the atmosphere.
If you have just started your small shipping business then following and adopting such eco-friendly measures will keep your compliance with these rules and regulations. This can help you avoid any kinds of punishments and fines imposed by the law, especially if you are planning on importing goods from China or other international markets.
Types of Eco-Friendly Packaging Materials
Recycled Cardboard and Paper
If you are using recyclable packaging materials, then you have already done your part to go green. Using cardboard and paper, which can be recycled easily, for packing is a durable option and is also used by many in this field. You can easily find these papers and boxes as they are widely available.
Biodegradable Packing
Planning to take a step back from the traditional way of packaging? Why not try packing peanuts or bubble wrap? They are biodegradable and an excellent alternative. They do not leave any harmful residue when they decompose and in no way will degrade the atmosphere. So you wouldn’t have to think twice before using them for packing purposes.
Compostable Bags
These bags are commonly seen in markets these days, and even shopkeepers try to pack their products in them. Such bags are amazing biodegradable packaging options, and they are composed of materials like cornstarch or PLA (polylactic acid). This packaging material is a plastic-free shipping material, and it wholly decomposes in composting conditions. According to us, this is a worthy option to include in the list, especially for small businesses.
Corrugated Bubble Wrap
Whether you are shipping cosmetic items, glass items, antiques, or anything else, corrugated bubble wrap can be your go-to packaging option without any worries. This is composed of the recyclable cardboard or paper material we discussed above. Overall, it also gives a fancy design, doesn’t it? So if you have been using plastic bubble wrap till now, it is time to shift to this easily decomposable option and win the eco-friendly game.
Mushroom-Based Packaging
One of the greatest packaging inventions created is mushroom-based packaging which is highly sustainable. This is a completely decomposable option and won’t harm the atmosphere in any way. Such packaging is made with the use of agricultural waste and mycelium. So no matter if you are to ship light materials or heavy objects or fragile items, the covering is sturdy enough to keep them safe. With effective cargo shipping, this type of packaging ensures that your products are transported securely, minimizing environmental impact while maintaining the integrity of your shipments.
Cornstarch Packaging
If your business ships lightweight products or most of the items that you ship are not so heavy fragile items then cornstarch packaging can do wonders for you. You can avoid plastic bag packaging by using this and reduce the harmful effect on the ecosystem to almost zero. Also, as it is derived from renewable resources and, thus, is also compostable. If you haven’t tried it yet, then consider it for your shipping needs.
How to Incorporate Eco-Friendly Packaging into Your Shipping Process
Evaluate Your Packaging Needs
This is an important step before you start incorporating eco-friendly packaging into your shipping process. You will have to start by analyzing your current shipping and packaging procedure and why use eco-friendly packaging. Then you need to look into the areas where you will be able to replace the traditional packaging materials with plastic-free shipping materials and sustainable options. You can also reduce waste by using optimum-sized boxes to pack your shipment.
Source Sustainable Materials
You will be required to research the suppliers that will provide you with eco-friendly shipping supplies. Such shipping supplies include recycled cardboard or compostable bags. If you get into a partnership with sustainable suppliers, then this will not only support your goals but also strengthen your commitment to saving the planet and doing your part. This is a good time to assess suppliers who support your commitment to sustainability, helping you reduce prohibited & restricted items in your packaging materials.
Optimize Packaging Design
You should always go for minimal material usage and maximum package protection and design your packaging this way. This could be done if you eliminate excess fillers and try using custom-fit packaging. You can also choose multipurpose designs that the consumers can reuse accordingly.
Cost Considerations of Eco-Friendly Packaging
It is true that sustainable shipping and packaging materials offer a higher cost. However, by using these materials, you can definitely save money in the long run. This would be possible by improving efficiency and reducing waste. Additionally, we have seen that consumers are willing to pay a premium several times for shipping products that are packed with eco-friendly materials, which can help you maintain your costs.
If you are a small business owner, then purchasing materials in bulk and strategizing a partnership with suppliers will further help you in reducing your expenses. You should also consider that this will give you long-term financial benefits. Customer loyalty and your brand image will improve, enhancing overall benefits for your businesses.
Conclusion
In the end, every step we take today should help save the environment and not harm it. In this blog, we discussed how we can do our part as a business option. For shipping, using and adopting eco-friendly packaging for small businesses is one of the smartest decisions that you can make both for your business and the planet’s health. You might have to make some changes or invest a bit today, but your efforts won’t be overlooked, and long-term success is what you will achieve with, of course, a reputed and trusted brand name.
Every effort toward sustainability matters, whether through recyclable shipping packaging or adopting plastic-free materials. Start with manageable changes, assess your requirements, and shift to eco-friendly packaging solutions that complement your business objectives.
