shipping packages around the world sustainably

2022年世界杯英格兰阵容E-Commerce Packaging: Balancing Sustainability and Product Protection

10/2/2018

The number of people converting to online shoppers is rising steeply as people uncover the convenience of purchasing whatever, whenever, wherever.However, as this number grows, so does the amount of frustration associated with package and product waste.

Many products are not designed to survive thedemanding e-commerce supply chain, which has more touchpoints than the traditional purchase model.卡塔尔世界杯预选赛时间Products are arriving to consumers' doorsteps damaged at an alarming rate,creating waste that is harmful to the planet.The waste associated with e-commerce needs to be addressed quickly with the rapid growth of online shopping.

Unboxing the Situation

Today,20 percent of e-commerce product returnsoccur because the product arrives damaged.Products, once produced to fit perfectly on the retail shelf, are being tossed around as they are shipped as individual units rather than palletized sets.

The issue is that the primary package was not designed for e-commerce transportation.As a result, products are breaking and leaking.2022年世界杯英格兰阵容This leads online retailers to use extreme amounts of protective packaging (bubble wrap, air pillows, tape, bags) to keep products safe in transportation.

Unfortunately, these extra measures of protection aren't solving the problem – and, excess materials are adding to even more waste.Products are still being damaged, resulting in returns and unforgiving product and food waste.Read more about how2022年世界杯英格兰阵容reclosable flexible packaging helps to address food wasteissues in a previous blog post.

When products are damaged in shipping, it's not just the product that's wasted.2022足球世界杯赛程表时间"It's the energy used to grow, harvest, process, package, preserve, and store food," shared Fresh-Lock's Senior Manager of Market Development Todd Meussling in an article featured in Food Logistics.

"If a product is returned because it was damaged during its commute to the consumer, you've wasted not only the energy used to create the original product, but also the resources necessary to return the damaged goods, and then produce, package, and ship the replacement.Both scenarios greatly impact an organization's carbon footprint, as well as brand image," he adds.

卡塔尔世界杯预选赛时间Consumers expect products to arrive intact and packaged efficiently.However, this isn't happening.Shoppers are sharing their opinions and the numbers speak for themselves:

68 percent of Americans are2022年世界杯英格兰阵容more conscious of packaging materialsand design today than they were five years ago
31 percent of Americans complain that2022年世界杯英格兰阵容packaging creates a messin their home
47 percent feel that2022年世界杯英格兰阵容extra packaging is wasteful

Source:Sustainable Brands

Read more about what happenswhen an e-commerce product arrives damagedin a recent blog.

Solving the Primary Problem

As more products are shipped via e-commerce, brands should consider the root of the problem and how it relates to the overall consumer experience.2022年世界杯英格兰阵容Addressing primary packaging can solve sustainability issues associated with e-commerce.

2022年世界杯英格兰阵容"Creating a sustainable package is not necessarily about avoiding the use of packaging materials like plastics," shares Meussling."Rather, it's about the proper and efficient design, production, use, and recovery of those plastics so waste can be eliminated."

A package that's beenengineered and tested2022年世界杯英格兰阵容for e-commerce will use less protective packaging that simply ends up in landfills.Additionally, it will eliminate waste of damaged products, the need for replacement products, and additional transportation. 2022年世界杯英格兰阵容flexible packaging stand up pouch

Reclosable flexible pouches can flex and move in shipments, causing less product damage and waste compared to rigid tubs or cardboard boxes that crush and crack.2022年世界杯英格兰阵容In a 2018 Sustainability Report, the Flexible Packaging Association shares:

2022年世界杯英格兰阵容"Flexible packaging offers product protection, keeping products together and reducing spoilage.Additionally, the ability of flexibles to reduce denting/breakage without spilling contents makes them attractive for e-commerce shipping."

2022年世界杯英格兰阵容By utilizing reclosable flexible packaging for e-commerce, brands are likely to uncover total life cycle sustainability benefits as well:

Reduced materials to landfill:flexibles are light compared to other package formats, even with no recycling of multi-material films, they still have less material sent to landfill compared to other formats.
Product to package ratio:2022年世界杯英格兰阵容flexible packaging almost always has a higher product-to-package ratio than other packaging formats.
Transportation:flexible materials are usually shipped either flat or on a roll (like paper towel).2022年世界杯英格兰阵容This allows many packages to be shipped on a truck, reducing the number of trucks needed for inbound materials compared to rigid packaging.

2022年世界杯英格兰阵容Source: Flexible Packaging Association, 2018 Sustainability Report

A zipper or slider can also be added to the package's top to slow the food degradation process that causes food to be tossed too soon.Closures on flexible packages improve the overall consumer experience, including product storage, ease of opening and closing, and better portability while creating a smarter e-commerce package.

Some closures are designed using less material, however, a closure is a crucial point of contact that a consumer has with a brand.Brands can make a more memorable experience by using specialty zippers and sliders that enhance usage.

Read about different2022年世界杯英格兰阵容closure options for flexible packagingin our blog.

2022年世界杯英格兰阵容Let's Get Smarter About E-Commerce Packaging

Now is the time – brands, manufacturers, and suppliers – need to consider the entire packages' lifecycle, from creation and distribution to usage and disposal.2022年世界杯英格兰阵容Ineffective e-commerce packaging gets destroyed in shipping creating bigger issues than just an unsatisfied shopper.2022年世界杯英格兰阵容It contributes to food waste, but also wastes the resources used to produce and transport both the product and the packaging.Not to mention, brands encounter chargebacks from online retailers like Amazon due to damaged goods.

2022年世界杯英格兰阵容Eliminating packaging is not the only way to a sustainable e-commerce process.2022年世界杯英格兰阵容The goal is to create a consumer-friendly package that survives the first time, requires less wasteful protective packaging, and slows the food degradation process – all while being a positive reflection of your brand.

2022年世界杯英格兰阵容If blending sustainable e-commerce packaging with premium, easy-to-use reclosable flexible packaging is your brand's goal,let's talk.2022足球世界杯赛程表时间The team at Fresh-Lock^®will work alongside your other suppliers to help you create a package that is a win for the environment and your brand.

2022年世界杯英格兰阵容Want more on packaging for e-commerce?We've got you covered:

Ouron-demand, free webinar2022年世界杯英格兰阵容helps explain how to overcome common e-commerce packaging fails.