1. Eliminate single use plastics
Plastic is widely used in e-commerce, shipping and logistics. There are simple swaps we can all make to cut down on single use plastics in circulation.
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Replace plastic tape with paper tape – many clients now ask for recyclable paper tape as an alternative to plastic tape. The same goes for plastic wrapping – wherever possible, minimise packaging and use high quality materials which overall provides a cost saving efficiency against buying multiple cheaper packaging elements.
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Cut out unnecessary packaging – many products are shipped within inner cartons, outer cartons, protective sacks, plastic layers. Well packaged products do not require multiple packaging elements, so look at how your products are shipped to identify where efficiencies can be made in the packaging. Not only could you reduce your shipping costs, both on packaging materials and on weight, but you’ll be making a small change in efficiency to have a positive impact on your raw material usage!
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Replace plastic bags with boxes, or paper bags – paper alternatives are becoming more widely available, and of a sturdier construction than before, when they were very susceptible to collapsing. Morrisons supermarket, for example, offer reusable reinforced paper bags, treated for waterproofness, which are a much better alternative than plastic carrier bags – even better than a bag for life! Even better, the paper biodegrades far faster than any recyclable or biodegradable plastics
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Revise packaging to remove unnecessary plastic elements – for example, products on a swing tag for store display often come in outer plastic bags. If the carton is packaged and sealed correctly, the products will be safe from damp and dust in transit, so improving the quality of outer packaging enables us to remove inner packaging, resulting in more robust boxing, and removing plastic bags. These are removed in store anyway, so it makes sense to take them out of the equation altogether!
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Dispatch customer orders in boxes or paper packaging as an alternative to PP Polybags, or if you can’t yet make that switch, make sure to use biodegradable PP. Although biodegradable plastics still take many years more than paper to break down, they are a better choice than non-biodegradable plastics which do not break down, and remain in the system for years and years after their one time use
2. Communicate consciously
It has never been easier to be a paperless office, or to work towards this as the goal. There are simple ways to cut down on the amount of printing, ink and paper being produced in everyday operations:
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Email, rather than post, all documents, invoices etc
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Only post paperwork where original copies are essential
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Share documents by scanning and sharing via Dropbox, Google Drive email or another file sharing service
These are easy switches that can reduce postage volumes and paper production as well as saving the cost of postage, stamps and printing inks.
3. Efficient supply chains
We work closely with our hauliers and carriers to find ways to minimise the number of vehicles and consignments in circulation at any one time. This is another way to reduce and minimise our collective impact on the environment, whilst also saving costs – a backload transport is always cheaper than a standalone round trip journey!
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Consolidate loads, backload lorries and combine shipments to reduce the number of vehicles used and reduce overall emissions
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Combine sea shipments – this provides a great costing saving (an FCL container is a lot more cost effective than LCL) and creates a more efficient way of transporting goods internationally
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Use only production which uses biodegradable PP where plastic is still considered essential, or currently does not have a viable alternative
LG Fulfilment Ltd is a full service 3PL Fulfilment provider, with immediate space availability, with pick pack, value added and transport services
Located in Hastings, we have direct access to A21, A27, A259 and onward to M20 Folkstone and Dover (Calais France), ideal for cross-channel warehousing, logistics and Brexit warehouse space contingencies.
Contact us to discuss any fulfilment enquiries – we specialise in finding solutions for outsize, unusual shape or dimension packages:
Tel: 01424 559169
Email: enquiries@lgfulfilment.co.uk
