Eco-friendly Ecommerce: 4 Steps You Can Take

Julie Starr • Jul 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.

By Julie Starr 27 Mar, 2024
It’s now 2024 and that means that there’s no longer any excuse for not being sustainable as a business. We all live in this world, and that means we’re all responsible for the environment. There’s a lot of businesses out there that still don’t care but for the most part, entrepreneurs are trying to make their businesses more sustainable, and so should you too. Whether we like it or not, climate change is still causing many problems to the world and if we don’t make a change now, there’s less we can do about it. So, if you’re looking to become more sustainable as a business, you’ve come to the right place. Switch to renewable energy The first thing you should consider is switching to renewable energy. Even if you can’t do it right now, it’s worth having the conversation. Any small change you can make to help the environment is going to be worth it for you, those around you, and the planet. Not only will you be saving money on energy costs, but you’ll also be reducing the amount of damage your company creates to the environment around you. Take a look at what’s available to you right now so that you can make the switch this year. Offer incentives If you have an office full of people, truly ask yourself how many of those arrive in their own vehicle. There’s a good chance that most of them do, with the others either carpooling or arriving by public transport. Try and offer incentives for everyone to become more conscious of the environment, even if it’s just a few days a week. You could offer work related incentives for those that choose to cycle or walk to work instead of using a vehicle of some sorts like finishing an hour early or buying lunch for everyone at work. Find better ways to practice sustainability You can’t expect to decide to become more sustainable and then those changes to happen overnight; you need to make them happen . Take a look at what other businesses are doing to be more sustainable and use these to start transforming your business. There is always going to be something that you could be doing to be more sustainable. Even if you only start with going paperless , it’s a step in the right direction. Speak to an attorney at RSC PLLC to see if they can help advise you on compliant ways to become more sustainable as a business without accidentally breaking any employment laws. Educate your employees Finally, your employees are the face of your business and represent it in every way. That’s why if they’re not practising sustainability, it’s not going to reflect well on your business. Provide them with plenty of informational resources that can help them make positive changes towards the environment. And, make sure you make it easy for them to do it too. For example, providing the right types of recycling bin for them to use will help them stick to it.
By Julie Starr 27 Mar, 2024
If you’re on a mission to give your business an eco-friendly makeover (and let’s be honest, who isn’t these days?), you’re in the right place. It’s all about moving with the times and embracing the digital world, not just to keep up with the Joneses but to do our bit for this lovely planet of ours. Let’s dive into how taking your business development online can be a total game-changer, both for the environment and your bottom line. Ready, Set, Digital! First things first, let’s talk about going digital. Imagine cutting down on paper clutter and reducing those hefty energy bills. Sounds like a complete dream, right? Well, it’s totally doable. By swapping out the old-school ways for sleek digital systems, you’re not only saving trees but also making your business more accessible to your team and customers worldwide. No More Paper Paper Trails: Think about all the stuff that piles up - invoices, forms, reports. Switching to digital documents means you can access them anytime, anywhere, without having to print a single page. And online forms and digital signatures are not just easy; they’re super efficient too. Selling Online: Ever thought about how much energy a physical store consumes? By moving sales online, you’re saying goodbye to those costs and hello to reaching customers far and wide without expanding your carbon footprint. Plus, it’s open 24/7, so shoppers can browse in their PJs at midnight if they really wanted to. Social Butterflies And Content Creators Now, onto the world of social media and content marketing. It’s like the digital version of word-of-mouth but on steroids. It’s about creating a buzz online without the need for physical brochures or billboards. Creating A Community: Social platforms are perfect for building a tribe of loyal followers who are into what you’re doing, especially your green initiatives. Sharing behind-the-scenes peeks and eco-friendly tips can turn casual browsers into devoted fans. Content Is Your Best Friend: Quality content drives engagement without needing to print a single flier. Think blogs that answer every question under the sun, videos that show off your products in action, and podcasts that get people thinking about sustainability. It’s about being informative and fun, all while staying green. Ads With A Conscience Digital advertising is pretty neat. It lets you target the exact crowd you want, ensuring your message gets in front of the right eyes without wasting resources. Pinpoint Precision: With online ads, you can zoom in on your audience based on what they like, where they live, and heaps more. It means your ads are more effective and less invasive - a win-win for everyone. Green Messaging: When crafting your ads, why not highlight your commitment to the planet? Showing off your eco-friendly products or initiatives can set you apart and appeal to those who share your values. Operations With A Green Heart: As the business world moves online, it’s a great opportunity to make sure every part of your operation is as green as can be. From choosing eco-friendly web hosting to supporting remote work, every little bit helps. Choose Green Hosting: Your choice of hosting can significantly impact the environment. Opting for a hosting service that uses renewable energy reduces the environmental footprint of your online presence. Discuss eco-friendly hosting options with your web designer . Many are knowledgeable about the most sustainable choices for your website. Save Energy: Promote energy-saving practices within your team. Adopting energy-efficient devices and ensuring your website loads efficiently can conserve energy. Every effort towards saving energy contributes to a larger impact. Remote Work For The Win: Embracing remote work reduces commute-related emissions and supports a better work-life balance for your team. Virtual meetings save travel time and energy, further benefiting the environment. Partnering Up For The Planet Select suppliers and partners who prioritize eco-friendly practices. Collaborating with businesses that share your environmental ethos enhances your sustainability efforts. Sustainable Supply Chains: Evaluate your supply chain for sustainability. Choosing suppliers that utilize sustainable methods and materials is crucial for reducing your environmental impact. Working Together: Collaborating with other businesses committed to environmental sustainability can amplify your impact and demonstrate your commitment to your customers. Final Thoughts Adapting your business to online platforms is not only strategic for competitiveness but also essential for sustainability. By integrating digital and eco-friendly practices, choosing like-minded partners, and continuously seeking improvements, you contribute to a more sustainable future. Moving towards a greener business model is an ongoing process of making incremental changes that benefit both the planet and your business. It’s about commitment, curiosity, and constantly seeking ways to be better for the environment. Remember, implementing even a single green practice, is a step in the right direction. Every small action counts towards a larger goal of sustainability.
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