For ecommerce businesses, packaging has to do more than make a product look good.
It needs to protect the order through picking, handling and delivery, while keeping packaging weight and waste under control. Customers are also increasingly conscious of how much packaging arrives with their online purchases.
That makes sustainable packaging less about choosing something that simply looks environmentally friendly and more about finding packaging that works throughout the entire delivery process.
Here are some practical options businesses can consider.
1. Right-Size Your Packaging
One of the simplest ways to reduce packaging waste is to use a box, satchel or mailer that closely matches the size of the product.
Oversized packaging can mean:
- more cardboard or plastic than necessary
- additional void-fill material
- more space occupied during transport
- greater chance of the product moving inside the package
For businesses shipping products of different sizes, keeping several standard packaging sizes can help reduce unnecessary material without making fulfilment overly complicated.
2. Recycled Cardboard Boxes
Cardboard remains one of the most practical packaging materials for ecommerce because it is lightweight, widely used and suitable for many different products.
Boxes made with recycled content can reduce the need for virgin material while still providing the protection required during delivery.
Businesses should still consider the strength of the box.
Heavy, fragile or unusually shaped products may require stronger packaging than lightweight products such as clothing.
The objective should be to use enough packaging to protect the order without unnecessarily over-packaging it.
3. Recyclable Paper Mailers
Not every ecommerce order requires a cardboard box.
Paper-based mailers can work well for products such as:
- clothing
- textiles
- documents
- small accessories
- other non-fragile products
They can use considerably less material than a conventional box.
However, businesses should consider moisture resistance, tearing and how the package will be handled during delivery before switching packaging formats.
4. Reusable Packaging
For some businesses, reusable packaging can provide another option.
Rather than disposing of packaging after a single delivery, packaging can potentially be returned and used again.
This model can be particularly interesting where a business has frequent deliveries to repeat customers or operates a controlled delivery network.
The challenge is the return process.
Reusable packaging only works effectively when collecting, inspecting and redistributing the packaging is practical. Otherwise, the additional transport and handling can undermine some of the intended benefits.
5. Reduce Plastic Void Fill
Products often need protection from movement inside a box, but conventional plastic void fill isn’t the only option.
Depending on the product, alternatives can include:
- recycled paper
- shredded cardboard
- moulded paper inserts
- corrugated cardboard inserts
- paper cushioning
The important consideration is still protection.
Replacing plastic with another material isn’t helpful if the result is more damaged products and replacement deliveries.
6. Consider Compostable Packaging Carefully
Compostable packaging is increasingly marketed to ecommerce businesses.
It can be appropriate in some situations, but businesses should look beyond the word “compostable” on the packaging.
Different materials may require different composting conditions, and customers need clear instructions about how the material should be disposed of.
Before adopting compostable packaging, check the supplier’s certifications and disposal requirements and make sure the material is appropriate for the product being delivered.
7. Use Minimal Packaging Where Possible
Sometimes the most sustainable packaging improvement is simply using less of it.
Consider whether you really need:
- an outer box around an already protected product
- multiple layers of wrapping
- oversized inserts
- excessive promotional material
- unnecessary plastic sleeves
Removing unnecessary components can also simplify packing operations and reduce fulfilment time.
There is still an important balance.
Minimal packaging shouldn’t mean inadequate packaging.
8. Design Packaging Around Delivery
Packaging decisions shouldn’t be made separately from the delivery process.
Think about what happens after an order leaves your warehouse.
A parcel may be:
- picked and packed
- loaded for collection
- transported to a sorting facility
- sorted with other parcels
- loaded into another vehicle
- transported to the recipient
- left in an appropriate location or handed to the customer
Packaging needs to survive that entire journey.
For businesses sending larger numbers of ecommerce orders, packaging and delivery operations should therefore be considered together.
Sustainable Packaging Isn’t Just About the Material
A cardboard box isn’t automatically sustainable simply because it can be recycled.
Businesses should consider the complete packaging and delivery process, including:
Material use: How much packaging is required?
Product protection: Is the packaging strong enough to prevent damage?
Package dimensions: Are you transporting unnecessary empty space?
Weight: Is excessive packaging increasing shipment weight?
Returns: Can the packaging protect the product if it needs to be returned?
Disposal: Can customers easily understand what to do with the packaging?
Delivery efficiency: Does the packaging work efficiently with your fulfilment and delivery operation?
A packaging change that causes more damaged products, returns and replacement deliveries may create additional waste elsewhere in the supply chain.
Packaging and Ecommerce Delivery
Packaging is only one part of the customer delivery experience.
Once an order has been packed, businesses also need to consider collection, sorting, routing, tracking, customer communication and proof of delivery.
For ecommerce businesses with regular parcel volumes, GoEXPRESS provides next-day delivery from customer warehouses in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.
Businesses managing multiple deliveries can also explore GoBUNDLE, which combines multi-drop delivery with route optimisation, live tracking and proof of delivery.
The right option depends on factors such as order volume, pickup location, destination and required delivery timeframe.
You can check GoPeople service availability for your location.
Choosing the Right Packaging for Your Business
There isn’t one packaging format that will suit every ecommerce business.
A fashion retailer, bakery, electronics seller and spare-parts supplier all have different requirements.
A useful starting point is to review:
- what you’re shipping
- how fragile it is
- typical order dimensions
- packaging weight
- delivery method
- damage and return rates
- customer expectations
- available recycling or disposal options
Then test potential packaging changes with real orders before rolling them out across your entire fulfilment operation.
The goal isn’t simply to use packaging labelled “eco-friendly”.
It’s to reduce unnecessary material while still getting products to customers safely and efficiently.