When customers research companies to buy from, they look for businesses that use an eco-conscious approach to their services, including the shipping processes. When consumers order sustainable goods, they want assurance that delivery has the lowest carbon footprint.
Because conscious customers consider a brand’s behavior before making purchases with that company, businesses are improving their practices, including selecting environmentally responsible services for their shipping needs.
With adequate “eco-credentials,” you can stand out as a preferred brand in your industry.
Customers will view you as a quality and trustworthy model, one they are more inclined to purchase from. How can you present your brand as a sustainable resource to your customer base? Choose environmentally friendly shipping practices.
Let’s review ways to incorporate sustainable practices so your business presents as a brand customers want to buy from.
Actionable Ways to Implement Sustainable Shipping Practices
Brand reputation is determined by the way you practice as a company. Customers today respect and appreciate businesses that use a sustainable approach with daily operations, including the delivery of their products.
In that vein, companies are implementing environmentally responsible packaging for shipments and using eco-conscious courier services to send them out; see
https://go2delivery.com/Delivery for details.
Reputed and eco-conscious efforts like these are valued by customers, making these brands preferred by customers, the ones the consumer usually buys from.
Here are actionable steps companies can take to ensure customer satisfaction with sustainable shipping.
The packaging
The materials used for packaging products may not stand out as something the customer might pay attention to when items are shipped. In fact, these should be a major consideration when transforming your business approach to an environmentally responsible albeit quality and secure one.
Plastic packaging and its manufacture devastate the environment; single-use plastic, in particular, is explicitly managed for waste with less than 15 percent recycled.
The customer expects businesses to embrace a sustainable change, a more efficient recyclable and biodegradable material such as cardboard or paper.
Transforming the materials industries, such as retail use for shipping, can mean more compact packages. This results in fewer deliveries and lower carbon emissions for a reduced footprint, completing the cycle. Establishing these objectives as a company will align with customer values.
The efficient package
Optimizing the size and form cannot be emphasized enough to ensure the greatest efficiency, reduce costs, and minimize waste. Small items will not be any more secure in a huge box surrounded by bubble wrap. The objects will be better protected, as will the environment, when the package and product are cohesive.
Customers will quickly make buying decisions based on their interpretation of your brand’s environmental responsibility. An efficient transformation will be readily recognized.
The returns
Returns are a common issue for retailers trying to transform to a more sustainable shipping approach while offering a beneficial program for the consumer. One objective is to ensure customers are fully educated before placing orders.
That means offering in-depth descriptions and contact details to ensure the customer has sufficient information to make decisions, leaving little room for error or a reason for the item to be returned. You can also add a slight charge for returns to give customers pause for thought before they take that step.
A way to reduce waste when sending a new product out to replace the returned item is to deliver the product in its original packaging instead of including an outer brown box. This SIOC – Ships in Own Container approach has no fewer adverse environmental effects and presents as responsible packaging.
You can lower costs and ensure your customer receives a quality and efficient experience. Click to learn the challenges for sustainable courier delivery and customer behavior.
Route optimization
Selecting an environmentally responsible courier to ship your products is essential to present as an efficient and friendly brand. Customers expect each aspect of your operations to align with their sustainable values, including the delivery of their goods.
The best, most reliable couriers use route optimization for deliveries. This gives drivers access to the best route so they can travel shorter distances, which can mean having fewer drivers on the road. This has a positive impact with lower carbon emissions and a reduced footprint.
Read also: Enhancing Business Cash Flow and Profitability through Online CFO Expertise
Final Thought
Customers want to have a positive impact on the planet and expect that the businesses they buy from will align with these values. That means being environmentally responsible in every aspect of your company’s operations, such as packaging and shipping efforts.
The ideal way to do that is to work with a sustainable courier service that practices route optimization and uses low-emission vehicles. Your eco-credentials will help you stand out among those in the industry who do not make a comparable effort, leading to the target audience choosing you as their preferred and trusted brand.
