Together with the logistics consultant and service provider 4flow, the BVL working group on E-Commerce published the study “Sustainable Packaging in E-Commerce.” The German Logistics Association (BVL) announced this recently.
Which solution is the best?
According to the study, it answers which share packaging has of the costs and emissions of an e-commerce shipment, what role automation and reusable concepts can play, and whether shipping in the product packaging is ultimately the best solution. It provides a holistic overview and issues recommendations for action.
According to the BVL, the complete life cycle of the packaging was analyzed from the perspective of a retailer. It showed, for example, that mailing bags made of paper or plastic, compared with standard cartons, can save up to 80 percent of
the packaging's emissions.
Reduce empty space or ship in the original packaging?
Also a look at size optimization is worthwhile: The Empty-Space Ratio (ESR) currently lies at an average of 30 to 40 percent, according to the study. And packaging machines can reduce the costs of packaging by up to 50 percent, according to the authors. Furthermore, the survey shows that some options should be weighed carefully. This includes shipping in the product packaging. This option is realistic for only about 30 percent of goods and also requires close coordination with the product manufacturers. Especially in the fashion segment (with a return rate of 44 percent) and for high-priced goods, this option is often not practical.
Volume-reducing packaging machines can, on the other hand, reduce packaging
costs by up to 50 percent and enable throughputs of 600 to 700 packages per hour, the study says. Emission savings are possible especially for medium-sized to large shipments. Also, reusable packaging would offer ecological advantages: reusable boxes reach break-even in terms of emissions at five cycles, reusable bags at seven cycles. Cost-wise, they are inevitably associated with additional costs due to the return process, which must be borne by customers or retailers.
Carefully choose the material
Prioritizing the choice of material can also pay off: lightweight and efficient materials such as thin-walled paper or plastic should be preferred according to the authors. An increased use of recycled materials could significantly improve the environmental balance of plastic-based packaging.
According to the study, packaging-related requirements and incentives
to reduce emissions can lead to inefficiencies because their share is small compared with transport logistics and the factors of influence are highly product-specific. Therefore, blanket regulations are only partially promising. CO2 pricing and holistic solutions in collaboration with manufacturers, for example regarding shipping-ready product packaging, are, according to the BVL, the better solution.
Choose a holistic solution
Overall, the survey shows that sustainable packaging solutions can offer both ecological and economic benefits. However, the choice of the optimal packaging depends heavily on individual factors such as product portfolio, shipment volume, and willingness to invest in new technologies. A holistic approach that considers material, process, and distribution is required in order to operate successfully and sustainably in e-commerce in the long term, according to the authors.
