Boost Your eCommerce with Sustainable Practices
Sustainability has been a hot topic for several years now, with more and more companies opting to become more eco-friendly to lower the damage they have on the environment. Here is why your eCommerce brand should do the same, as well as how to do it.
Why You Should be More Sustainable
There are two main reasons why you should become more sustainable; firstly, it is simply better for the environment and the future of this planet. Lessening your impact on the damage to the ecosystem makes a difference, no matter how small.
Secondly, customers are demanding it. More and more customers are becoming more eco-friendly and want their favorite brands to do the same. Studies have also shown customers are willing to spend more money on a product or service if it is incredibly eco-friendly, whether that be high-quality resealable bags, or dish soap.
Improve Your Supply Chain
Another step to take is to improve your supply chain. Whether you have a warehouse or you send products from your home, there are ways to improve your supply chain to make your business more sustainable and eco-friendly.
For example, analyzing the routes your delivery trucks make and seeing if there is a better route, or if there is a time when there is less traffic, therefore they spend less time on the roads, can make that section of the supply chain more sustainable.
Sustainable Shipping
Sustainable shipping can take many forms, such as using eco-friendly packaging materials, or simply using thermal printers instead of ink printers. This can make a huge difference in your sustainability goals, especially when done on a large scale.
If you are a smaller eCommerce business, another step you can take is to only ship on certain days. Sending out all your packages on a Friday, for example, means you are only using one truck to deliver all your goods, instead of multiple throughout the week.
Reduce Packaging
Reducing the amount of packaging you use will also make a massive, long-term difference. This typically involves reanalyzing what you are using to package your goods, as well as how you are packing your delivery vehicles or packages.
There is no need to sell a small bottle of perfume in a large box if a smaller box works just as well. While this may sound obvious, many companies will get stuck in the cycle of being bigger and better, instead of being smarter with their packaging.
Recycling
This should go without saying, but making all of your packaging recyclable is a must. Whether it be the box the product gets delivered in, or the product packaging itself, customers should be able to recycle all of it.
This is also a money-saving point, as you can easily recycle and shred torn or broken packaging into shock-absorption material you can put in your packages.
Reusable Packaging
Another highly sustainable option is to invest in reusable packaging. While, initially, it may cost you more, it will cut down on packaging costs and environmental damage in the long run.
Whether it be water bottles or refillable care product containers, having packaging that doesn’t have to be thrown away right away makes a much bigger difference than you may think.
Lower Energy Usage
For eCommerce businesses, one interesting area where you can help the environment and cut down on your energy usage is by updating your hardware and systems. For instance, a new accounting platform, for example, running on an old computer, will use much more power than if it was running on a new machine.
You can also take the steps to do an energy audit, which involves analyzing every aspect of your business and finding where you can cut down on energy and save money.
Lower Return Rates
Sending products out to customers can cause harm to the environment, but having the product sent back doubles that damage. Many businesses overlook the fact that returns can cancel out any positive environmental changes they made for the initial delivery.
To cut down on returns, be more clear with your product descrptions, sizes, ingredients, etc. This means your customers are more likely to make the correct buying decision, and will subsequently be less likely to return the product.
Resell Old/Used Merchandise
Finally, don’t throw out old, used, or damaged merchandise. Nowadays, there are plenty of stores and platforms that allow individuals and businesses to sell old or used products at a discounted rate, and stop them from ending up in a landfill.
One of the best and easiest ways to do this is to have a fire sale on this merchandise. LEGO is famous for selling its products at reduced rates if the boxes are damaged, and you can do the same on your website.
In conclusion, being sustainable as an eCommerce business is not only something your customers want, but it can also save you money, as well as being incredibly easy to do. By using these tips above, you can be exceptionally ecofriendly, stand out from your competition, and lead the way in showing other businesses how it can, and should be done.
