There is a lot of buzz about going green this decade. With carbon credits, tree planting, and all of that going around lately, it's about time we did something good for the planet. So you might have heard about something called 'going green, taking care of Mother Nature, zero emissions’, and whatnot. Here are a few ideas on how to make your shipping process as environmentally friendly as possible, and we're going to share them with you right now.
1. Choose Bulk Shipping
While this method has many benefits, it may not fit every item into one container. If you are selling a large, high-value product, you should consider bulk shipping. By reducing packaging material, you'll be able to ship more items per cubic meter, which will reduce your carbon footprint. Plus, you won't have to deal with multiple bills of lading. Besides being economical, shipping in mass will also help the environment, and this practice also saves you money.
2. Use the Correct Packaging Size
Improving shipment efficiency can be as simple as reducing packaging waste. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the average package wastes 40% of its whole volume. This unused land causes numerous detrimental effects on the ecosystem.
Packaging resources are wasted when products are shipped in bulky containers. Larger shipments necessitate perfect trailer space, resulting in higher carbon emissions and fuel use.
3. Insist on Eco-Friendly Packaging
Your choice of retail packaging can significantly impact the amount of waste generated. Choose environmentally friendly packaging and shipping materials like compostable mailer bags and biodegradable packaging to lower your carbon footprint.
4. Choose an Accredited Environmentally Friendly Shipping Company
Consider whether the shipping company values sustainability and environmental awareness before deciding to work with them. As previously said, some customers care about the environment and want to conduct business with companies that share their beliefs.
5. Check Your Money Back Terms and Conditions
Returns are more likely to occur if companies ship more merchandise due to online purchases. A return strategy that considers both environmental and financial factors is necessary. Because of the fuel required and pollutants produced, returning products can harm the environment. The environmental impact of destroying damaged products rather than returning them is different.
6. Make Use of Shipping Options That Rely on Land
Customers have to wait a little longer to receive their orders, but ground shipment uses less energy than either next-day or air delivery. Avoid next-day air delivery if possible; instead, go with ground delivery wherever possible.
7. Select Items That are Stored in Well Insulated Warehouses
One of the most significant energy wasters in the storage process is thin metal components with minimal insulation for warehouse walls. During the winter, energy is squandered due to inefficient warehouse heating.
Investing in covers for insulation can help reduce the number of AC units that need to be installed in the warehouse. In addition, a well-designed insulation system of fresh air throughout the warehouses minimizes the need for additional heating. You should also invest in high-quality canvas covers that are also great for protecting your products from moisture and heat.
8. Donate
Carbon offsetting is an excellent approach to show your customers that you care about the environment. Customers can donate to carbon offsetting programs throughout the checkout process on various platforms.
9. Opt for Inland Barges
Reduced pollution, increased weight capacity, and improved safety are advantages of barges intended for use in rivers and canals. They also help to alleviate traffic congestion. Developing countries can spend tens of billions of dollars fixing infrastructure problems caused by standard modes of transportation like automobiles and container ships. A smaller sum of money is needed for inland barges.
10. Choose to Buy Your Items Locally
Buying things locally is a great way to help reduce your gas emissions. Purchasing imported goods typically means traveling much further, and the energy used to ship and pack food also contributes to the amount of carbon dioxide released into the air. Purchasing from local stores will allow you to save on energy costs and miles traveled.
Conclusion
So there you have it, ten ways to make your shipping process green. But this is only a start. You can do plenty of other things to reduce your company's carbon footprint and help the environment out; maybe you'll even find a way to do so and still make some money in the process. At any rate, it's good to take care of our planet, that is, if we want it to be around in good condition for many more years to come.
Written by Tracie Johnson
About the Author
Tracie Johnson is a New Jersey native and an alum of Penn State University. She is passionate about writing, reading, and living a healthy lifestyle. She feels happiest when around a campfire surrounded by friends, family, and her Dachshund named Rufus.
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