Eco-friendly Ecommerce: 4 Steps You Can Take

Julie Starr • July 21, 2020



Running an ecommerce business can be greener than running a physical store – physical stores require a lot of energy to run compared to the low amount of energy needed to run online stores. However, the negative environmental impact left by online stores can still be high due to aspects such as delivery and packaging. If you’re interested in running an eco-friendly ecommerce business, here are some of the steps that you can take.

Choose green products

You should first assess the types of products that you’re selling. These could be products that you make yourself or they could be bought from suppliers – in either case, consider the manufacturing process behind them and the materials used to build them . If manufacturing creates a lot of emissions and the materials used are unsustainable/non-recyclable, you may want to make a change to your products.

If you make the products yourself, consider whether you can make the manufacturing process cleaner or whether you’re able to source greener raw materials to build the product with. If you buy your products from suppliers, consider whether you can switch to greener suppliers that are able to offer the same quality of product.

Use recyclable packaging

You should also consider the type of packaging that you use when delivering products to customers. Your packaging needs to protect the product from damage, but this doesn’t mean that you have to rely on non-recyclable plastic.

Consider filler options such as shredded tissue paper and corrugated corner protectors instead of relying on plastic bubble wrap and Styrofoam. Loose items can be kept in paper bags or small card boxes as opposed to plastic bags. If you do find that plastic is more efficient, make sure to use recyclable plastic and let customers know how they can recycle it.

Consider greener shipping options

The aspect of ecommerce that creates the most environmental damage is often shipping, however, by choosing the right delivery methods this environmental damage can be greatly reduced.

Many ecommerce businesses are reluctant to make changes in the fear that it will increase shipping costs, but you can often save money on International Shipping and save the planet at the same time. For instance, the likes of LCL shipping can be cheaper for many businesses while also being more eco-friendly.

Same-day and next-day delivery is often harder to make green. While many customers like the convenience of receiving a product the very next day, it can be worth promoting longer delivery options that are greener such as using an interstate truck instead of a plane. You may be able to reduce the delivery charge to encourage customers to use this option. Some companies even promote this option as ‘green delivery’ to make customers aware of the benefits.

Donate money to environmental causes

You may be able to offset any environmental damage that your company inflicts by pouring money into environmental causes such as paying to plant trees or donating money to recycling services. This is something that you can advertise to help attract customers – many modern consumers like to know that their purchase is having a positive impact on the world and it can be used as an extra selling point. You could even ask customers to donate extra money themselves alongside their purchase, giving customers an even more active role.

Why Telling Your Sustainability Story Matters — And How Taiga Company Can Help

By Julie Starr • December 17, 2024
In today’s world, sustainability is no longer a buzzword—it’s a business imperative. Consumers, investors, and stakeholders are demanding more transparency and accountability from brands. They don’t just want to know what you sell; they want to know who you are, what you stand for, and how your work contributes to a better world. That’s where your sustainability story comes in. Sharing your achievements in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives isn’t just about meeting expectations—it’s about building trust, fostering loyalty, and inspiring action. At Taiga Company, we specialize in helping organizations authentically communicate their sustainability achievements in ways that drive measurable impact and align with their goals. Why Sharing Your Sustainability Achievements Is Good for Business Build Trust with Stakeholders Sustainability storytelling builds credibility and trust. Whether you’re addressing investors, employees, or customers, sharing your sustainability milestones demonstrates your commitment to accountability and long-term value creation. For example: Highlight your efforts in achieving science-based targets, reducing carbon emissions, or adopting circular economy practices. These stories resonate with audiences looking for businesses that align with their values. Differentiate Your Brand In a competitive marketplace, sustainability can set you apart. Brands that communicate their achievements in regenerative agriculture, water stewardship, or biodiversity conservation position themselves as industry leaders and innovators. Think of it this way: A well-told sustainability story is not just a report—it’s a statement of leadership, authenticity, and purpose. Drive Stakeholder Engagement Sustainability stories invite dialogue. By showcasing meaningful milestones, like successful recycling initiatives or community reforestation projects, you foster stronger relationships with stakeholders who want to be part of your mission. Engagement isn’t just about storytelling; it’s about inspiring action. Whether through social media campaigns, press releases, or executive thought leadership, your achievements can encourage others to collaborate and support your goals. Attract Purpose-Driven Talent and Customers Today’s workforce and consumers seek brands with purpose. Communicating your impact helps attract talent and customers who align with your mission. A transparent, well-executed sustainability strategy speaks volumes about your leadership and values. At Taiga Company, we specialize in results-driven communications that empower purpose-led brands to share their sustainability achievements with confidence and clarity. Our services ensure your story resonates with the audiences that matter most. Your sustainability achievements deserve to be seen, heard, and celebrated. Whether it’s reducing carbon emissions, innovating in sustainable packaging, or leading water stewardship initiatives, telling your story is an opportunity to inspire trust, drive action, and shape a better future.

Why Going Green Is No Longer Optional for Industry Leaders

By Julie Starr • December 16, 2024
Alright, so here’s the deal, sustainability isn’t just a buzzword anymore. Sure, at this most most industries, yes, even the most unsustainable industries have this general idea, right? Well, you’re always going to find some businesses in some niches (and yes, industries too) who think that it doesn’t apply to them. But no, it applies to all niches and all industries, and yes, it’s a business requirement. Now, across every industry, the companies that are embracing green practices are the ones that are thriving. Why? Well, because customers, investors, and employees are all paying attention. If a business isn’t making an effort to be sustainable, it’s not just falling behind, it’s losing out. Overall, sustainability isn’t just about saving the planet; it’s about saving your business. Yes, this needs to be hammered in, so industry leaders, here’s why you’re just not excused. Green Practices Mean Growth Yep, it’s that plain and simple, So, sustainability isn’t just about doing the right thing, it’s about doing the smart thing. Businesses that prioritize green practices are cutting costs, staying competitive, and building trust with their audiences. So, reducing waste, switching to renewable energy, and sourcing materials ethically aren’t just good for the planet, they’re great for the bottom line. Simple enough, right? Well, take packaging, for example. Cutting down on unnecessary plastics doesn’t just make customers happy; it slashes production and disposal costs. So, switching to energy-efficient operations isn’t just environmentally friendly, rather, it saves a fortune on utilities. There don’t need to be roadblocks seen, rather they should be opportunities! There’s Plenty to Gain Okay, so sustainability isn’t just for industries with obvious environmental impact, it’s critical in healthcare too. Again, no excuses here. Hospitals and clinics use massive amounts of energy, and the waste from single-use supplies piles up fast. The same can be said for labs, and pharmacies too. Actually, go ahead and take specialty drugs as an example. Now, most people know that these life-changing treatments are for serious conditions, but they often come with sky-high costs. But why? Well, the production and distribution processes can be incredibly resource-heavy. But even sustainable practices can help lower prices, such as energy-efficient manufacturing or even cutting down on excess packaging. It might be hard to see, but little changes can make massive impacts on costs (and what’s being spent on both ends). Tech Easily Shows How Sustainability Drives Innovation The tech industry has been leading the charge when it comes to sustainability, and the results speak for themselves. Actually, companies like Google and Apple are proving that being green isn’t just possible, but this can actually be pretty profitable! If tech companies can do this, then yeah, all industries are capable. So above, medicine was mentioned, but data centers are also a great example ( since they use a lot of energy). Well, nowadays, most companies are now powering these centers with renewable energy, cutting costs and emissions at the same time. No Industry Gets a Free Pass It doesn’t matter if it’s healthcare, tech, retail, or manufacturing, basically, every industry has something to gain by going green. There are small examples like retailers ditching plastic bags for reusable ones. Then there are bigger examples like factories rethinking supply chains to cut emissions and save costs. But the reality is that businesses sticking to wasteful, outdated practices are falling behind. Besides, governments are rolling out stricter regulations.
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