What does the data say?
The UK is the world’s third largest market for e-commerce, with e-commerce sales in the UK rising by 35% between 2014-2019. It has been forecast to rise again by a huge 34.7%, from 2019 to the end of 2021.
Whilst e-commerce sales leads to an increase in packaging, this will result in the amount of waste also set to increase. New research from Citeo & Ipsos found that 92% of people expect a package that is appropriately sized for the product. Yet 75% of UK shoppers were left frustrated with excessive packaging and wanted retailers to reduce the volume of packaging used.
A recent survey discovered that UK consumers are willing to act if they don’t think a retailer is doing enough to become more sustainable. 42% of UK consumers would consider avoiding a retailer if they were not trying to reduce their use of non-recyclable packaging.
With the rise in e-commerce not stopping and the importance to reduce unnecessary waste, when possible, the importance of sustainable packaging has become more important than ever before.
What to look out for when securing a sustainable packaging supplier?
To find a trustworthy sustainable packaging supplier, it is important to look out for the companies accreditations and environmental policy.
FSC are deemed as a trustworthy certification, so when a company is FSC Certified, you know you can buy from them with confidence that they are helping to ensure our forests are alive for generations to come. We are proud to be an FSC Certified Manufacturer and we recognise that we have a responsibility to preserve, conserve and sustain the world we live in, both today and for the future, so sustainability is central to everything we do.
Being an FSC certified manufacturer means that we can guarantee you that we supply packaging from a minimum of 70% recycled materials.
We design packaging to minimise its impact on the environment at every stage of the supply chain, specifying eco-friendly board grades and weights and avoiding the use of unnecessary materials.
What are the advantages of sustainable e-commerce packaging?
1. Increasing your brand awareness
A survey Deloitte conducted, showed that over the last 12 months up to 34% of consumers are choosing brands that have environmentally sustainable practices/values.
With consumer behaviour shifting, customers are becoming more conscious of purchasing from brands who use sustainable packaging. Sustainable packaging has become one of the key areas for companies to express their commitment in protecting our environment. It has also become a marketing and branding tool to inform customers that your business truly cares about the environment.
2. Save money
Sustainable packaging materials are normally lightweight and durable, meaning delivery costs can be at a minimum. Additionally, as we can ensure packaging to fit your product rather than supplying over-sized packaging, we will also save you money on cost of material, whilst reducing waste simultaneously.
3. Reduces your carbon footprint
As corrugated packaging is made from recycled materials, this type of packaging is one of the best solutions to lower your carbon footprint.
Here are just some of the ways as to why our packaging is sustainable and can reduce your carbon footprint:
- 100% recyclable and biodegradable material
- The precious fibres are recycled to make new corrugated packaging
- On average, a new box contains 88% recycled content
- Paper fibres can be recycled 25 times or more
- Optimising the use of packaging material
- Easy to sort as mono-material (paper-based materials)
- Packaging is easily folded and flattened, ready to be collected for recycling.
Interested in switching to sustainable packaging?
If you are looking to switch to sustainable packaging for a certain product, please get in touch with us here so we can help you find the right box for you. Alternatively, please visit our sustainable e-commerce packaging range.