With the continuous development of e-commerce, consumers have also begun to pay attention to the ecological footprint of online shopping. Consumers are becoming more environmentally friendly and are opting for sustainable delivery methods. So, take this into consideration when designing your online store, and you’ll be better off. Below, we’ll bring you five steps to incorporate sustainability into your online store design. Step 1: Product design incorporates eco-friendly elements First, look at the items on the online store, noting how and where they are made, and whether the raw materials are recyclable. Think about it, does the production process of the goods use a lot of PVC? Is it possible to use more environmentally friendly materials for production? You can even build an eco-friendly product line, for example, “upcycling” (turning an old material into a new product, giving it a higher environmental value) is the current trend.
If you have a creative mind, there are plenty of opportunities to sell featured items! Step 2: Packaging is more simple and environmentally friendly Many consumers now do not want to use excessive plastic fillers to package goods, and they are becoming more aware of the impact of packaging materials on the environment. Therefore, please use the right size packaging and use recyclable materials instead of non-decomposable plastics. Step 3: Offer Sustainable Shipping Options In big cities, couriers have switched to bicycles or electric vehicles. Many carriers have stopped re-delivery services and opted to set up more local self-pickup points, which is also one of the sustainable delivery methods. In fact, many consumers are willing to pay extra for sustainable shipping methods, or even wait longer. You can discuss eco-friendly shipping with your current or new logistics partner and learn about their work on reducing your carbon footprint.
For example, Asendia has the following views on the role of e-commerce in the environment: “In international distribution, being accountable for every process is a key to reducing your carbon footprint as much as possible. Not just compensation is enough, you should also pay attention to your business partners and choice of shipping methods. In addition to the carrier, Retailers themselves can also contribute to reducing their carbon footprint, which involves packaging, returns and delivery options.” – Pia Elster, Marketing Communications Manager Nordic and Benelux, Asendia Step
4: Develop an Appropriate Return Policy Customers are becoming more and more strict about delivery requirements, and a simple return policy is an important part. In some countries, the availability of free returns is even an important consideration when placing an order. But not every online store is able or willing to offer free returns because of the high cost of returns and even product waste. Therefore, you should simplify the return process as much as possible to ensure that returns go smoothly. When you develop a return policy, start by analyzing the reason for the return. This way you can fundamentally solve these problems and reduce the number of returns. Step 5: Support Environmental Projects More and more companies are taking carbon offsetting actions to contribute to sustainable development or to provide opportunities for customers to participate in environmental protection,
for example, by giving customers the option of offsetting carbon dioxide emissions when purchasing air tickets or refueling. In addition to this, climate compensation is also a way to achieve climate neutrality, reducing and offsetting greenhouse gas emissions around the world through creative climate projects. For example, you can participate in tree planting in the Amazon and support renewable wind farm projects in India. You can even work with partners who share a common vision to achieve environmental protection at every stage of your operation.