What to Look for in Sustainable Packaging

More customers are becoming conscious about choosing ecommerce brands that take steps to reduce their impact on the planet. Many are even willing to pay extra for a product to minimise their carbon footprint.

One of the ways you can take steps to become more eco-friendly is by switching to sustainable packaging. Seems simple right? However, there are many different types of satchels and parcels that you can choose from. So how do you know which one is suitable for your business?

If you want to be sure you're doing the right thing for the environment, follow these tips to find the sustainable packaging you need for your brand.

The Three Types of Sustainable Packaging

The first place to start is to decide on the category of sustainable packaging. You want to select a material that is either recyclable, reusable, or compostable. This will reduce the likelihood of it ending up in a landfill.

Recyclable Packaging

One of the easiest transitions for many ecommerce brands is to switch to recyclable packaging. Many cardboard boxes end up in the recycle bin, where they get taken to facilities to be reformed for other purposes.

A lot of newer cardboard boxes are also biodegradable. If they can no longer be recycled for any other purpose, then they are ideal for composting instead of taking up space in a landfill.

Reusable Packaging

Reusable packaging is slightly different to the recyclable option in that the principles are based on the circular economy. The idea is to completely eliminate waste by allowing the customer to reuse the packaging for their own needs or send it back to you for future orders.

Once the packaging is no longer usable, then it can get recycled. Ideally, the material should be made from compostable materials to minimise the impact on the environment.

Compostable Packaging

The best solution for sustainable packaging is to choose compostable materials. While cardboard can be used for compost, it's better to select plant-based and biodegradable satchels.

The benefit is that if the compostable packaging still ends up in a landfill, then it will degrade faster than traditional materials. It will take about two years to break down compared to 400 years for plastic mailing alternatives.

Optional Sustainable Packaging Extras

If you need to include additional items in your parcel to protect your product, the good news is that there are sustainable options for you to use.

Compost Sticky Tape Rolls

That's right. You can get sticky tape made from vegan products such as polylactic acid and natural rubber adhesives. It should display on the box that it meets the requirements for disintegration and ecotoxicity.

Compostable Shipping Labels

You can use compostable shipping labels made from materials such as sugarcane. They are all-natural, vegan, tree-free, and can be used with all printing machines. Some are made in the USA, so double-check the measurements are 10cm by 15cm, which is the standard for Australian parcels.

Shipping Paper

You can use Hex Wrap, which is often made from 100% recycled FSC paper or virgin paper and can be recycled or composted. It also requires less packing material, so you may be able to use smaller boxes to ship your products.

Padded Parcels

Instead of including additional items inside your parcel, you can purchase padded satchels to provide the protection you need for your courier delivery. There is sustainable packaging that contains thick paper and compostable inner bubbles that can keep products safe on their travel. Customers can remove the outer layer and put it in the recycle bin, while the inner section can be used for compost.

Choosing an Eco-Friendly Courier Service

Using sustainable packaging is a great first step in becoming an environmentally friendly ecommerce brand. By choosing recyclable, reusable, or compostable parcels, you minimise your carbon footprint and do your part to eliminate unnecessary wastage.

Selecting an environmentally friendly courier service is also necessary to not undo all the excellent work you're doing. That's why having access to a multicarrier solution is beneficial, as it provides you access to a range of options to ensure you choose the most environmentally-friendly courier service. Head over to this page to learn more about how the Interparcel Shipping Manager can help your business reduce its carbon footprint.