Sustainability in Ecommerce: 3 Ways to Make Progress Where It Matters

Julie Starr • May 21, 2025

Sustainability is no longer a nice-to-have—it's essential. That’s true across every industry, and ecommerce is no exception. But let’s be honest: building a more sustainable ecommerce business isn’t always straightforward. From packaging to supply chains to last-mile delivery, the challenges are real—and often feel like they’re outside your control.


But here’s the good news: sustainable ecommerce is absolutely possible. And it doesn’t have to be all or nothing. Small, strategic shifts can make a meaningful difference—not just for the planet, but for your customers and your brand’s longevity.

Here are three actionable ways you can move the needle toward a more environmentally responsible ecommerce business.


Choose Sustainable Packaging That Works for People and Planet

Packaging is often one of the most visible and wasteful—aspects of ecommerce. From oversized boxes to plastic fillers, the impact adds up fast. But it doesn’t have to.


Thoughtful, sustainable packaging design can dramatically reduce your environmental footprint. Start by right-sizing your shipments to reduce excess material and emissions. Opt for recycled, recyclable, or compostable materials that align with circular economy principles. Better yet, one option is to design custom boxes with sustainable materials, for example. These custom packaging solutions eliminate unnecessary layers while enhancing your brand’s presentation.


These aren’t just more sustainable choices, they’re smarter ones. Today’s customers care about where materials come from, and where they end up. Your packaging can reflect your commitment to both.


Partner with Purpose: Choose Sustainable Suppliers

Your supply chain is an extension of your brand and one of the most powerful levers you have to reduce your environmental impact. You could end up using more than a few suppliers when you’re running an ecommerce company. It’s always worth making sure these are as sustainable as possible. While you may not control every aspect of your suppliers’ operations, you do control who you choose to work with.


Prioritize suppliers who share your commitment to sustainability. Look for transparency in sourcing, third-party certifications, and a clear track record of environmental and ethical practices. Ask the right questions: Are their materials responsibly sourced? Do they minimize waste and emissions? How do they treat their workforce?


Choosing partners who align with your values not only improves the sustainability of your products—it strengthens your brand’s integrity and resilience. When your supply chain reflects your mission, it creates trust and long-term value across your business.


Lead with Impact: Promote Environmental Awareness

Sustainability doesn’t stop at your supply chain. As an ecommerce business, you have a unique platform to elevate environmental causes and inspire meaningful change within and beyond your operations. Sometimes, it’s just a matter of highlighting and supporting various sustainable initiatives and causes around the world.


One powerful way to do this is by supporting organizations and initiatives that align with your values. Whether it’s donating a portion of your profits, partnering with mission-driven nonprofits, or amplifying important causes across your website and social channels, your advocacy matters.


By shining a light on solutions and inviting your customers to participate, you strengthen your brand’s purpose and build a community rooted in shared responsibility. This isn’t just good for the planet; it’s good for business.


Sustainable ecommerce is entirely possible. With the right mindset and a few strategic shifts, your business can lead with integrity, reduce its footprint, and become part of a much-needed transformation in the digital economy.

Cutting Cost Without Cutting Corners

By Julie Starr • May 20, 2025
No one likes having to tighten their belts, especially when it comes to running a business or managing a big project, but sometimes cutting costs isn’t just a good idea - it’s actually the only way to keep things moving. The tricky part, of course, is doing it without sacrificing quality or ending up with a long list of regrets you’ll be paying for (literally in many cases) later. The thing to remember is that cost-cutting doesn’t have to mean cutting corners, and if you can be a bit creative and rethink how you usually do things, you can reduce your spending and still get great results. With that in mind, keep reading to find out more. Not only does this support your project, but it can support sustainable business initiatives as well. You Don’t Have To Buy Everything One of the most common ways money disappears in business is buying things you don’t need to buy. If you’re in the trade or construction field, you already know how expensive equipment can be, especially when it’s only needed on occasion, which is why it’s crucial to get out of the idea of having to buy everything - there are other ways. Rather than buying every tool, machine, or device upfront, it’s worth thinking about short-term options instead, and that way you don’t have to commit thousands to something you’ll only use once or twice a year. Instead, renting can help bridge the gap between affordability and getting good results, and you’ll still have access to the tools you need. For example, if you’ve got a job coming up that needs specific welding gear but you don’t use it regularly, you’re better off exploring welding equipment rental rather than buying it. You’ll get high-quality, up-to-date equipment, but you avoid the ongoing expense of maintenance, storage, or even depreciation. And when the job is complete, it just goes back with no wasted budget or clutter. Aim For Better Planning Another area where money leaks is in poor planning . The fact is that scheduling and communication are basically very often the difference between staying under budget and going over budget. Over-ordering materials, miscommunication between suppliers, last-minute bookings, and so on all has an impact and the ability to add up and cost significantly more. Spending a bit more upfront in the planning process can save considerable amount of funds later, which is why it’s worth planning projects in phases, double-checking inventory before you place any new orders, and staying as realistic as possible about delivery times. In doing so, you’re not just avoiding waste, you’re keeping the entire project on track, and that’s going to give you much better results and success in the future. Use Tech In Useful Ways We’ve all seen the impressive new software packages with prices to match, but tech doesn’t have to be expensive to work well, and in fact, using a few smart digital tools can save hours of time and lots of paperwork, especially if you’re managing a team or you’ve got multiple projects to juggle all at once. Free or low-cost apps for time tracking, job scheduling, or being able to share communication can help you avoid missed communications and reduce admin hours. And of course, spreadsheets can still work if you like using them, but adding a digital tool to the mix could be just what you need to reduce confusion, mistakes, and having to repeat work. Invest Where It Counts Saving money doesn’t mean always choosing the least expensive option or not buying something when you really do need it. Sometimes, saving money just means choosing the best value item over time, and factoring in sustainable concepts taht support the project and business case. Be mindful and invest in the right things. You’ll want to fund equipment and purchases that support safety and the items that your team use every day that support the business. Cutting corners on essentials might save you money at the start, but it usually just creates more problems later on, and it’s just not worth the risk. Invest wisely.

Why Building Your Own Office Might Be The Most Sustainable Option

By Julie Starr • May 20, 2025
If you’re looking to create a more efficient and eco-friendly office, then you might think to reuse what’s already there and to purchase or lease an existing space. However, for the greatest long-term impact, the best solution may, instead, be to build your own. Here, we’re going to look at just why building your own office may be the most sustainable option. Opt For More Sustainable Materials First and foremost, you should think about what your office is going to be made out of. There has been a widespread growing interest in the use of more eco-friendly materials , including sustainably sourced wood, recycled steel, and options such as paints and flooring that don’t include as many volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Reducing the environmental impact of the construction process can ensure the best start for a more eco-friendly workspace. Aim For Energy Efficiency One of the biggest concerns about any modern workplace is how it produces and uses the energy that keeps the lights on. Not only can you invest in appliances that reduce your overall energy demands, but you can also incorporate natural light, as well as technologies like smart lighting, to minimize your need for energy consumption across the board. Investing in solar panels can help you take your efforts even further, reducing your business’s reliance on the grid. Work With The Right Team Naturally, there’s only so much that you can do without a full understanding of how offices are designed and built. Working with the right architects, engineers, and commercial construction teams can ensure that your business is able to meet not just your own building standards, but green building certifications, as well. It’s important to work with experts who understand aspects like green technologies, materials, and biophilic design if you’re trying to create a space that’s as well-integrated with the environment as possible. Consider Water Use As Well Although it may not be the first thought on your mind, office spaces can use a lot of water as well. After all, you need to provide bathrooms for your employees, and all of the fixtures in there use water. As such, investing in water-saving technologies like low-flow fixtures and smart faucets can ensure that you’re wasting more of this increasingly valuable resource than you need. Invest In Construction That Prevents Waste With better planning on how you use your space, you can make sure that you avoid taking up any more room than your business needs. The bigger your office space, the more resources you’re going to use to keep it lit, climate-controlled, and comfortable. Efficient layouts optimize natural light and airflow, cutting energy needs. This prevents overbuilding and reduces material consumption. Thoughtful planning supports flexible, multi-use spaces that adapt to changing needs without requiring extensive renovations. Of course, the environmental impact of your office space, whether you build it or move into it, goes well beyond the initial setup. You have to ensure that your business continues to invest in sustainable practices to make the best use of the environment.