It’s impossible to deny that people are increasingly concerned about the environment., They are becoming more environmentally conscious about what they buy as the times’ change. Environmentally friendly products are being actively purchased by consumers. And the majority of them say they will do the same in the next five years. Rebranding your eCommerce business to emphasize sustainability is a good first step, but it can’t be the only one. Retooling your print on demand services can help to reduce the impact of fulfillment and returns, while fundamental changes to sourcing and production methods can help to achieve even greater sustainability gains.
THE IMPORTANCE OF ECO-FRIENDLY ECOMMERCE
We only have one Earth, and our inhabitants are responsible for taking care of it so that future generations can leave it in a better condition. Though creating a sustainable, eco-friendly online brand has obvious environmental benefits, it is also a wise business decision that will help increase customer loyalty, brand perception, and sales.
Many consumers now expect brands to take the lead on environmental and social issues. This high expectation can result in high rewards for companies that commit to environmentally friendly practices. Furthermore, 68% of consumers are willing to pay more for environmentally friendly products. Aside from meeting consumer expectations, adopting sustainable practices can boost your bottom line by introducing new operational efficiencies. As a result, focusing on sustainable business practices now to benefit even more in the future.
5 BEST PRACTICES FOR GOING GREEN WITH PRINT ON DEMAND FULFILLMENT
1. Offer Eco-Friendly Products
While it may depend on your current product or service, you can include sustainable print on demand products in your lineup. It can include providing sustainable alternatives to existing products. Another option is to collaborate with a print on demand provider that uses environmentally friendly practices. It allows you to gradually incorporate environmentally friendly products into your online store. Many eCommerce companies use renewable materials in response to changing consumer consumption habits.
2. Use Eco-Friendly Packaging
Have you ever noticed how small items are usually packaged in such large boxes? 81% of consumers believe that brands overpack their products. You can use different sizes of packing boxes that suit the size of your products to avoid excess and reduce packaging. Moreover, you can avoid using large boxes that take up space. You can also choose recyclable materials. Boxes, tapes, and even labels fall into this category. Reduce your reliance on plastic. Most customers consider it to be the least environmentally friendly packaging. They even try to avoid using plastic as much as possible.
3. Minimize Your Deadstock
Deadstock refers to unsold merchandise in your store. These products are less likely to be sold and, in most cases, end up in landfill. However, by reducing deadstock, you are also providing a sustainable solution to waste reduction. Print on demand demand forecasting can help you avoid deadstock. In-depth market research will also assist you in determining the optimal amount of stock. If you still have such items on your shelves, you can sell them through clearance sales. Product bundles can also be done on your eCommerce site.
4. Apply Environmentally Friendly Shipping Methods
Unfortunately, carbon emissions from shipping are an unavoidable part of the eCommerce business. Every year, 165 billion packages are shipped to the United States, which equates to over a billion trees. FedEx, UPS, and USPS, for example, offer eco-friendly shipping programs to reduce their carbon footprint. Other carriers provide complete climate-neutral shipping as well. Because many customers expect quick delivery, you can enlist the assistance of a print on demand fulfillment company. They can ship orders to your customer from the nearest ecommerce fulfillment center. It reduces costs and shortens the supply chain, resulting in fewer carbon emissions from air shipping.
5. Reduce Returns And Exchanges
Returns and exchanges are something other than what you want to happen as an online retailer. However, by 2021, the average for retail returns had risen to 16.6%. That equates to $760 billion in products being returned to the supply chain and warehouses! They also contribute significantly to carbon emissions from transportation, as well as wasteful packaging and shipping costs. To reduce returns, provide detailed information, such as photos, in your product descriptions on your product pages. You should also provide high-quality products that meet customer expectations and have a strong customer feedback strategy to address any issues. Not only are you helping combat climate change, but you also save money simultaneously!
SUSTAINABILITY AT FULFILLPLEX
At Fulfillplex, we care about the environment and do everything we can to help. Many of the boxes we use are made of recycled fibers, and we do our best to recycle returned items, saving useful parts and repairing or refurbishing others for resale, depending on the needs of our clients. We also strive to reduce our environmental impact regarding sustainable ecommerce order fulfillment. Contact us today to learn more about what Fulfillplex can do for you as your top ecommerce fulfillment company.