Production methods have certainly changed over the years. Today, warehouses and businesses are looking to reduce their carbon footprint by implementing more eco-friendly shipping.
Eco-friendly shipping is a type of shipping method that includes biodegradable material that can easily be recycled, can be used for other purposes, and takes a relatively shorter time to decompose for packing and shipping products. Read on to learn the benefits of going eco-friendly and a few ways to improve your shipping methods.
The Benefits of Going Green With Shipping
There are many benefits for warehouses and companies to invest in eco-friendly shipping with their shipping methods. By choosing green methods for shipping, businesses are reducing their carbon footprint.
Another benefit of going green is that it provides cost-saving benefits for businesses. Many companies think that choosing an eco-friendly method of shipping will cost them more, but it actually improves the company’s bottom line. In fact, companies that focus on reducing their carbon footprint will reduce their overall costs of manufacturing. Along with this, it can decrease your company’s energy bill.
Even more, going green positively impacts a business’s public relations. Companies that emphasize the importance of incorporating green policies tend to gain new clients who appreciate businesses that value earth-based policies.
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How to Use Economic-Friendly Shipping Options
If your business or warehouse is thinking about eco-friendly shipping, the good news is that there are a variety of eco-friendly options to help improve your shipping practices. Here are six practices to consider.
1. Incorporate Eco-Friendly Packaging
Having the right packaging is certainly important when it comes to delivering items safely. But the type of packaging you choose can have a serious impact on retail packaging waste.
Choosing more eco-friendly options can help businesses make more sustainable choices to improve the future of the planet. With that said, consider more sustainable packaging choices, such as compostable mailer bags, biodegradable packaging peanuts, metal bins with lids, and IBC totes to help reduce your carbon footprint.
If you decide to use metal bins or IBC totes, they can both be reused in future shipments. It’s crucial to choose heavy-duty warehouse materials that can stand the test of time because they will save you money, along with helping out the planet.
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2. Allow Customers an Opportunity to Offset Carbon at Checkout
Unfortunately, it’s unlikely that businesses will be able to completely get rid of carbon-emitting activity. But, it doesn’t mean that they can’t incorporate more eco-friendly options to reduce the harmful effects of shipping.
Businesses can consider something called carbon offsetting, which is a way to reduce the harmful effects of a certain carbon-emitting activity through various funding projects designed to reduce emissions and give back to severely affected communities.
For instance, when a customer chooses the option of carbon offset at checkout, a portion of their money may go to fund a particular project that is working to reduce emissions in the environment.
3. Reduce Packaging Size
Packaging size is often an overlooked option when it comes to reducing your carbon footprint. But the more packages you use, the more you are contributing to waste.
Businesses should ensure that all packages are packed as efficiently as possible by reducing the size of boxes. Additionally, businesses should reduce the amount of foam, plastic, or packing peanuts that are used for each shipment. By doing this, businesses can reduce the amount of waste that they are contributing to the earth.
4. Ship Items in Its Own Packaging
Are you shipping any items that already come in their own packaging? If so, you may want to reconsider adding additional packaging to these items.
While you may already have a standard packaging process in place, items that include their own packaging can technically be shipped in what they already came in. This allows businesses to reduce their contribution to waste and make more sustainable, eco-friendly choices.
5. Create a Sustainable Rewards Program
Who doesn’t love rewards? Establishing a rewards program is one of the best ways to get everyone involved in reducing their carbon footprint.
Many customers aren’t aware that there is an eco-friendlier method of shipping. Businesses can spread awareness by using the rewards program to incentivize their customers to start making more sustainable choices. What’s even better is that rewards programs can be customized to what the business can comfortably offer, and it is an easy and effective way to help businesses consistently implement sustainable shipping practices.
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6. Encourage Customers to Reuse and Recycle Their Packaging
In addition to offering a rewards program, businesses should encourage their customers to reuse and recycle their packaging. Many people are still unaware of the importance of reusing and recycling for the environment. Even more, many people aren’t sure how to go about it.
Luckily, the materials used in packaging are one of the easiest things that can be reused. With that said, this is the perfect time for businesses to have an open line of communication about the benefits of recycling, how customers can go about recycling, and ultimately just sending them a quick reminder that reusing and recycling is an option for them.
Reducing Your Carbon Footprint
Reducing your carbon footprint has become more important than ever for all businesses. Whether you can spend a lot of money or a little bit on this initiative, anything to improve the planet is best. Choosing ways to use more eco-friendly shipping options will ultimately improve your carbon footprint and offer more opportunities for your customers to join in as well.
