How to make your ecommerce packaging both secure & sustainable

As it stands, the number of digital buyers is at 2.14 billion. Yes, you read that right, over 2 billion online shoppers. This makes 27.6 percent of the world’s population, which makes every one in four people you see.

However, the online aspect of shopping can only go so far for businesses. You still need that personal touch, that human interaction, and thoughtfulness that puts your brand ahead of the competition.

What do we mean by that? Well, for ecommerce businesses, the shopper’s experience doesn’t hit a dead end once the purchase has been made online. It’s also about how the product is received.

That’s why packaging plays such an important role in today’s business.

But not just any old packaging. Your customers will expect (and appreciate) a well packaged item without any damage – you need a secure solution. And secondly, with the challenges we face as a planet, more and more consumers are looking to reduce their environmental impact, so sustainable packaging is needed too.

With that said, is your current ecommerce packaging both secure and sustainable? If the answer’s no, not to worry, we’re here to help. Read on and discover our list of ecommerce packaging tips that focus on secure and sustainable solutions.

Sustainable ecommerce packaging tips

When it comes to improving the sustainability of your ecommerce packaging solution, there are several ways to do so. It goes beyond the use of recyclable products.

Reduce material usage where possible

When shipping products in oversized boxes, not only will you be throwing money down the drain by shipping air. You’ll be creating unnecessary packaging waste that could otherwise be avoided. So, even if it’s recyclable, you’ll want to reduce material usage where possible.

And ‘where possible’ is key here. If you focus too much on cutting back materials, you may find the protection of your package takes a hit, and this could lead to damages. Therefore, while it’s important to cut back on waste, the protective aspect of your packaging must stay at the top of your list.

Reducing material is responsible for more than just a reduction in waste though, it also helps on the transport side of things. By decreasing the size of your packages, more will fit in the delivery vehicle. But how does this help with sustainability? Well, for one, more products per delivery equals less deliveries needed, helping cut down on CO2 emissions. Also, with less materials comes a reduction in weight. The lighter the vehicle, the less emissions it’ll produce.

In short, reducing materials will make your packaging more sustainable. But don’t get too caught up – always make sure there’s adequate protection.

Use packaging designed for reuse

A way to reduce packaging that ends up in landfill is to have it designed for multiple functions. This way it can be repurposed, and used for many years longer before entering the waste system.

Many brands are becoming innovative with their packaging and thinking of new ways to get creative with designs that prolong their packaging’s lifetime. For example, this concept from H&M shows packaging that can be transformed into a clothes hanger after use. Who said sustainability wasn’t fun?

Utilise sustainable packaging materials

For ecommerce packaging, cardboard and paper are usually the go-to for most companies. They provide the benefit of easy recyclability, as well as having printable and customisable properties. Cardboard and paper are also available in a range of packaging options, such as carboard boxes, paper bags, envelopes, tissue paper, paper void fill, and more.

An important thing to keep in mind when choosing your sustainable packaging is avoiding mixed materials. Why? When paper and plastic, or two types of plastic are fused together they are no longer recyclable. This is because their layers cannot be separated.