Supply and demand will never slow down. We live in a consumer world, and people not only want products but also need some of them for survival. But the popularity and high demand of certain businesses don’t mean those companies should neglect the environment. If anything, they should be more aware and careful. Read on to learn how to make your packaging process more eco-friendly.
Avoid Over Packaging
Before you seal that box and prepare it for shipment, look inside. Are there too many items in there? Not the products themselves but the materials protecting the product. There is such a thing as overkill. You more than likely bag and bundle your products to the max.
Design your products to make the most effective use of every material. Any excess you can put to better use somewhere else. Focus on ways to optimize how the merchandise moves across the supply chain. From there, you can minimize the materials inside the packaging. Consolidate shipments to use fewer materials.
Ship in Bulk
Shipping in bulk is different from avoiding over-packaging. Individual shipments require more wasteful materials that are harmful to the environment. Items going to or within the same vicinity need to be on the same pallet and transportation route.
Shipping in bulk makes things easier for the business as well. Owners will spend less money paying for several different shipments that week. Some companies might need to make a compromise for retail items like clothing or cosmetics.
Use Sustainable Materials
Using sustainable and reusable materials is the best thing you can do. It doesn’t cancel out the waste completely, but it reduces the amount. Customers will be more inclined to recycle and reuse packaging materials if they can find another use for them.
Find materials that work best for your products before making the change. For example, vinyl product packaging is eco-friendly for several different reasons. And customers will think twice before throwing this material away as opposed to plastic.
Choose Your Partners Wisely
If you’re making the change to be more environmentally friendly, you want to partner with like-minded people. Find local sustainable manufacturers and ensure they make an effort to curb emissions from vehicles and facilities.
They should use and source raw materials. They might even make suggestions on how to better package your items that are also cost-effective. Always aim to minimize plastic waste-generated materials.
The packaging process doesn’t have to have a negative effect on the environment to ensure your business stays successful. There are ways to stay simultaneously relevant and eco-friendly.
