The Boom in Online Shopping vs. Eco-Responsibility
The dawn of the internet ushered in an era of unprecedented connectivity. Before we knew it, interacting with people from all corners of the globe was no longer a luxury, but a necessity for international business transactions. These lines of communication opened the door to the boom of e-commerce. Much later, there was a demand for compostable packaging and eco-responsibility.
Environmental Responsibility vs. Hyperconnectivity
The e-commerce boom, especially that of online retail, has created an environment where any product that we want can be en route with a few simple taps on our phones or clicks of a mouse. For small businesses and artisans with limited resources, e-commerce is a lifeline that extends their reach far beyond the boundaries of their local area. These elements of connection, widespread visibility, and increased demand sound like a blessing to many. At the other end of this double-edged sword is the need to assume environmental responsibility that keeps up with the momentum of demand.
Sustainability and eco-responsibility are not all placed on the buyer. From the consumers’ viewpoint, this responsibility also belongs to the company. Consumers are more observant than ever as to which companies are practicing and communicating sustainable values. They will look closely at how their items arrived, how much of the overall packaging was compostable, and whether or not these values were communicated to them before the purchase. These values will affect their own purchase behavior, the type of content they consume, and the companies they choose to buy from.
E-commerce is a product of modern technology. It has its benefits but the environmental costs are staggering. Every online order must be procured, packaged, and shipped. That alone is a lot of non-renewable resources without counting the waste from excessive, non-biodegradable packaging. Sustainable packaging materials have become one of the hallmarks of eco-responsibility, but the investment in compostable packaging will pass like a ship in the night if you fail to communicate it.
Showing Your Eco-Responsibility Pledges
Does your company effectively communicate what they’re doing to be sustainable? Your pledge should be loud and clear on your website. Display it on the home page so people see it. People that have not bought from you or are considering their first purchase will pay attention to it and factor it into their decision-making. The pledge doesn’t need to be full of complicated, industry-specific language. Break down what you’re doing into a simple explanation so that anyone can understand.
Highlight the following key points in your pledge:
- Tell them what percent of the packaging is made from post-consumer recycled materials.
- Display how you choose sustainable suppliers for the product itself or parts of the product.
- If you’re doing any humanitarian work with company profits, make sure to communicate this.
- Explain your plans to continue to build your sustainable practices. Consumers like to see that companies are striving for continuous improvement.
Delight Your Customers with Custom Molded Pulp
Making the switch to sustainable packaging is about more than the mark of awareness you’re displaying to buyers. The sustainable packaging you choose must also be as protective, if not more than what your company was using previously. Additionally, the costs for assembly, storage space, and shipping cannot cut into the profit margins. These boxes are not impossible to check off if your company makes the switch to molded pulp or custom molded pulp.
Molded Pulp Packaging offers a wide selection of molded pulp products both pre-fit and custom-designed for eggs, candles, wine, furniture, and drinks. Molded Pulp Packaging is made of 100% post-consumer recycled materials. This means it meets global standards for the most efficient and eco-friendly packaging material on the planet. Molded pulp has superior shock protection which is key during transit on planes, trains, and last-mile trucks. Reach out to our team to request a sample and see the Molded Pulp Packaging difference.
