Consumer behaviour suffered various changes in the past decades, as industrialisation made it easier to access multiple types of products from different companies, appealing to every customer audience. Lately, a trending consumer demand sparked more interest in sustainability and eco-friendliness, considering that Gen Z and Millennials are more likely to choose a brand that values transparency and humanity over its competitors.
The rising occurrence expanded to all industries, primarily e-commerce, as the impact of online retail on the environment, from packaging water to product returns, has affected consumer behaviours. Although remaining on top of the competition can be difficult as an online business, companies can choose to re-evaluate parts of their operations for efficient strategies and proper exposure.
One of the ways to advance in this matter is through order fulfilment, which is the process dealing with receiving orders, packaging and delivering. Introducing eco-friendly packaging, using energy more sustainably and digitally transforming an organisation are necessary to achieve success. So, since the green sector showed a surge in revenue on low carbon and renewable energy economy in the UK, companies must follow the trends to ensure responsibility and adaptability.
The Growing Imperative for Sustainability in E-commerce
Considering the worrying state of the world and increasing concerns about pollution, extreme weather and health risks, many consumers have tried changing their shopping behaviours to navigate climate change and contribute to less waste. According to Statista, around 20% of consumers started choosing sustainable products over regular ones in the past years.
Around the time of the pandemic, an increasing number of citizens shifted their regular shopping behaviours to better ones in consideration of social justice, choosing to boycott several companies that weren’t transparent enough.
Indeed, traditional e-commerce has a massive impact on the environment. Plastic and cardboard packaging is poorly managed and recycled and end up in landfills. Improper shipping generates too many carbon emissions that pollute the air, and waste from electronics and single-use products contributes to climate change. That’s why leveraging order fulfilment instead of traditional e-commerce is best for appealing to customers’ demands.
Key Strategies for Sustainable E-commerce Fulfilment
Sustainable e-commerce is possible by adopting the right processes and strategies with sustainability and transparency in mind. Choosing eco-friendly packaging is the most straightforward method of becoming a green company, because you ditch plastic and cardboard for biodegradable (textile), recycled (cardboard) and minimal packaging.
Shipping can also be improved towards a carbon-neutral objective through using fuel-efficient vehicles, such as hybrid or electric cars. Still, you might need to partner with a logistics company to enhance your delivery efficiency, so you can consider the requirement of green initiatives when choosing to collaborate with a business like Monta that focuses on sustainable working methods and transparency.
Besides transforming your shipping strategy, you can also seek local fulfilment centres, which
decrease the shipping distance because you choose facilities closer to your customers. Therefore, you lower transportation costs, decrease carbon emissions, and improve delivery speeds.
Managing your inventory, on the other hand, sets you up for success. Proper management helps you avoid waste and overstocking, which contribute to cost savings. The task should be handled by technological monitorisation, audit, and prioritisation.
The Role of Fulfilment Partners in Achieving Sustainability
Adopting sustainability might be challenging while companionless, which is why collaborating with other businesses whose target is to be environmentally friendly will help you pursue your goals. A fulfilment partner can help you outsource your e-commerce orders and support you through the entire process, from managing suppliers’ products to delivery.
Depending on your current aims, you might want to consider several factors when searching for the right fulfilment partner, such as the following:
● What are the packaging materials used during outsourcing? If options like compostable poly mailers or biodegradable packing tape and stickers are available, you’ve got a winner;
● What energy sources are used in the fulfilment process? Are solar, biomass energy or renewable implementations included in the company’s package?
● What shipping practices are included in outsourcing? Look for minimised packaging materials, web shop systems that identify reduced stocks or worldwide shipping options;
Success Stories: UK E-commerce Brands Embracing Sustainability
Considering that more customers in the UK want to use the products and services of greener companies, British businesses started transforming their fulfilment to appeal to the growing trend. For example, Royal Mail is one of the most carbon-conscious delivery firms in the UK since it provides about 5,000 electric vans for delivery that use biofuel, leverages renewable energy and reduces domestic air transport. The business has committed to achieving Net-Zero by 2040.
Another blueprint is Wax Paper Pros, an enterprise that aims to create versatile and green food wrapping. Among some of their products, you’ll find wax paper suitable for sandwiches or baked goods, parchment paper, basket liner and kraft paper.
Switching to green practices and strategies has helped these companies transform and become better examples for the industry. Royal Mail has collaborated with TikTok’s Shop to help merchants expand their operations and arrange shipments easily through the platform. Aside from enhancing their brand reputation on a renowned social media site, they also contributed to customer loyalty by making it easier for clients to get their packages delivered.
On the other hand, wax paper has become a massive trend on TikTok, so Wax Paper Pros came into the industry at the right time, not having to spend too many resources on online marketing. These companies helped reshape traditional e-commerce― which has affected nature and, therefore, positively impacted the environment.
Conclusion
Sustainable fulfilment practices are the future of modern e-commerce because they help reduce industries’ environmental footprint on the planet, which is a significant matter at the moment. Moreover, green fulfilment ensures fostering consumer trust and loyalty since businesses are more transparent about their suppliers, shipping, and use of sustainable packaging.
Hence, UK companies are duty-bound to mind their environmental impact, and the easiest way to manage it is by transforming their fulfilment strategies with the help of collaborators whose principles are alike. Addressing environmentalism through eco-conscious fulfilment solutions nurtures innovation and growth in a world of competitiveness in the business industry.
