As sustainability becomes an increasingly common topic of conversation. And ordinary people begin to act with the environment held more closely in mind than ever before. It’s no surprise that we are seeing a drastic change in consumption habits.
Studies by Deloitte on attitudes toward sustainability have shown that consumers buy less and also opt for sustainable brands more often when they shop.
E-commerce businesses should be concerned about the findings of these studies. As well as revealing that consumers prioritise sustainable packaging, minimised manufacturing waste, and reduced carbon footprint in a brand. They have also shown that consumers are willing to pay MORE for products when brands display these characteristics.
Here are three ways for you to get with the times and make your e-commerce business greener without changing what it is that you sell:
Utilise sustainable e-logistics practices
The need for speed in e-commerce is not the most conducive to sustainability. To reduce your business’ impact on the environment, consider ditching super-fast home delivery options. Also expanding your horizons regarding delivery services.
- Entice customers with slower but complimentary delivery. Next-day delivery is convenient. But it does take a toll on the environment.
- Provide customers with the option to pick up their order from a collection point. This saves on the emissions used in direct shipping.
- Localise: if you have many orders in one area, use a local courier service! This is a great way to fulfill orders in the same region and also reduce carbon footprint.
Go easy on the packaging.
At this point, it’s consensus that many e-commerce brands use too much packaging. Package lighter, and also explore biodegradable options. If plastic-free isn’t feasible, offer your customers incentives for recycling/returning packaging.
Work on reducing the likelihood of a return
Too many order fulfilments result in returns. Be aware of shoppers that are serially buying multiple of the same item, improve sizing and item descriptions to make satisfaction more probable, and ask your customers for reviews.
Here we’ve outlined just a few ways to go greener, but there are many more ways to reduce your business’s impact on the natural world. Figure out the strategy that suits your e-commerce brand best.
