Today, the trend towards eco-friendly behaviour is growing at a rapid pace and covers various areas of life. Green energy sources are being developed, and organic washing powders and BIO food can be found on shop shelves. Also, many clothing brands are using 100% natural materials for their clothes, such as cotton and linen. And what about logistics and transport?
It is not a well-known fact that logistics and ecology are areas that do not go well together. However, new trends and greater environmental awareness among consumers are forcing companies to adopt environmentally friendly solutions. Let us therefore find out what eco-methods are used in modern logistics.
Many Poles admit that they are more likely to buy a product from a brand that is environmentally friendly. Approximately 80% of consumers notice the non-ecological practices of shops. Most of these relate to product packaging (oversized cartons, large amounts of film, non-ecological fillers). Fortunately, this is slowly changing and ecology is also entering transport companies.
Let's start with biodegradable cardboard boxes. Recycled materials are used in their production. To some consumers, it may seem that the eco-friendly packaging will not be strong enough and not resistant to various types of damage. However, this is a misconception, as these boxes are durable and protect the product packed inside them. In addition, they are aesthetically pleasing and contribute to the positive image of the company using them.
To further minimise the negative impact of logistics on the environment, some companies refrain from packing cartons in courier poly mailers.
If an order consists of several products, most online shops pack them in one cardboard box. This minimises the carbon footprint and the amount of waste.
Sometimes fillers are necessary, especially for sensitive items that may break or scratch during transport. Non-organic bubble wrap, polystyrene chips or protective polyethylene foam can be replaced with crumpled paper, which is FSC certified. This means that it is made from wood that has been harvested in a way that does not damage the forest structure.
In addition, the perfect fit of the packaging to the product minimises the amount of fillers in the package.
This is a courier envelope made of biodegradable film. It is worth mentioning that it is not exposed to sunlight.
Companies using eco-friendly boxes, FSC-certified crumpled paper as filler and a biodegradable courier label can send orders in 100% eco-friendly packaging.
Transport generates large amounts of carbon dioxide. Therefore, many companies try to schedule courier arrivals and departures well to reduce CO2 emissions. Another solution could be a bicycle delivery programme in major city centres. Some brands are using electric cars or aerodynamic trailers to reduce fuel consumption on long transits.
Many companies carry out careful monitoring of the consumption of packaging materials. Such monitoring allows the packaging process to be optimised. We would also add that, in terms of waste management, your company can register with the Waste Database (BDO). This registration gives you the opportunity to sign a contract for regular waste collection and disposal, further reducing your environmental impact.
Today, reverse logistics is based on the design of environmentally friendly, biodegradable packaging and solutions that offset the negative impact of transport on the environment. As research shows, many consumers want to buy from environmentally-friendly shops. So it is not surprising that more distribution and shipping companies are choosing to carry reverse logistics into their offerings.
