In today's digital age, the introduction of e-commerce has revolutionised the way consumers shop, providing convenience and accessibility like never before. However, with an ever increasing volume of online purchases, it is essential to address the environmental impact of packaging waste. Eco-Friendly Packaging offers a conscious alternative to traditional packaging that not only minimises harm to the planet, but also aids in the global goal of decarbonisation. In this blog post, we will explore the benefits of using eco-friendly packaging in e-commerce and highlight some Australian companies I have used in my own processes that are quite literally leading the way in providing biodegradable options.
"The greatest share of greenhouse gas emissions generated by the e-commerce industry comes from the traditional packaging of goods, accounting for approximately 45 percent of total estimated emissions" (Statista, 2020)
What Are The Benefits?
Eco-Friendly packaging reduces green house gases (GHGs)
Eco-friendly packaging eliminates the need to recycle or remanufacture single use packaging, reducing CO2 emissions by up to 60%. (Reusable Packaging Association, 2021) This is because eco-friendly packaging materials typically require less energy to produce and decompose more quickly, reducing the amount of waste generated.
Eco-Friendly packaging reduces energy consumption
Traditional packaging production is hugely energy intensive and emits greenhouse gases that damage the environment and contribute to global warming. Creating new packaging from existing materials uses less energy than using raw materials. A study by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory found that eco-friendly packaging made from recycled materials requires up to 50% less energy to produce than traditional packaging.
Eco-Friendly packaging promotes a circular economy
Eco-friendly packaging materials are often designed to be reused, recycled, or composted, promoting a circular economy. This reduces the amount of waste sent to landfills and minimises the need for raw materials. A circular economy could cut the volume of packaging sent to waste by 80% each year, it could also reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 25%. (Tipa Corp, 2022)
What Are Some Australian Companies To Use In My Experience....
Hero Packaging
Hero Packaging offers compostable and biodegradable packaging products, including mailers, satchels, and labels made from plant-based materials. Their products possess a high quality finish, reasonable price point and are designed to be reused, recycled or composted. Hero packaging was the first company I used when making the switch from traditional packaging. It provided me with an educated introduction to the world of eco-friendly packaging options and ultimately, assisted in distinguishing the EC Surfwear's business morals and practices.
Shop their range here: https://heropackaging.com.au/
Heaps Good Packaging
Heaps Good Packaging provides eco-friendly packaging options made from recycled materials, including mailers, boxes, and bubble wrap alternatives. Their products are also designed to be reused, recycled, or composted, reducing the amount of waste generated from e-commerce packaging. Now my current source of packaging for EC Surfwear, I made the switch to Heaps Good for their cheaper price point and more aligned brand values. As their overall mission mirrors that of Hero, either of the two are great options to incorporate into an e-commerce business - it all comes down to personal preference.
Shop their range here: https://heapsgoodpackaging.com.au/
References:
Statista. (n.d.). E-commerce average emissions by source 2020. [online] Available at: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1254302/e-commerce-average-emissions-by-source/.
Anon, (n.d.). Reduce Environmental Impact with Reusable Packaging | Reusable Packaging Association. [online] Available at: https://www.reusables.org/reusable-packaging/environmental-impact/#:~:text=Reusable%20packaging%20eliminates%20the%20need.
www.nrel.gov. (n.d.). Plastic Packaging Recycling and Clean Energy Manufacturing. [online] Available at: https://www.nrel.gov/manufacturing/remade.html [Accessed 9 May 2023].
Team, T. (2022). Can Compostable Packaging Reduce Global Warming? [online] T I P A. Available at: https://tipa-corp.com/blog/can-the-use-of-compostable-packaging-reduce-global-warming/ [Accessed 9 May 2023].
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