A guide to sustainable shipping

Climate change is no laughing matter. The accumulation of plastic waste and air pollution are two topics that an increasing amount of people are concerned about. We can already see the impact of those on humans, animals and the planet. It, therefore, comes as no surprise that people are searching for ways on how to reduce waste in their everyday lives. The same goes for their energy consumption.

At the same time, we live at a time when international transportations of goods have skyrocketed, thanks to the popularity of e-commerce websites and other outcomes of globalization and technological innovation. Reducing transportations seems impossible, however, we can change their environmental impact by eliminating the shipping waste on the one hand and by using different types of fuels, such as biofuels. Eurosender, the leading platform for booking international shipping services, has created a guide on how to achieve more sustainable shipping habits while giving some insight into the future of “green transport” of goods.

Eco-friendly packaging | Green packaging options

Although you, as a customer, do not have a direct impact regarding the use of biofuels, there are many things you can do to reduce or even eliminate your shipping waste. Using eco–friendly packaging/ biodegradable packaging/ recyclable packaging/ eco pallets etc. This is how to reduce waste while shipping:

1. Consignees can use carton boxes that they already have at home from receiving packages. You are not required to use new boxes every time you ship a package. The boxes should be in good condition though and any old shipping labels should be removed.
2. Reuse bubble wrap instead of popping it and throwing it away. Bubble wrap is a pliable transparent plastic material used for packing fragile items. A lot of people love bursting its bubble but, then, the material loses its cushioning properties. If you receive a package with bubble wrap, resist the urge to pop it and save it along with the rest of your shipping materials for future use.
3. Instead of packing peanuts, use crumpled paper/ old newspapers. This cushioning material, that is used for filling any empty spaces within the package, is made of expanded polystyrene foam. Instead of those, you can simply use crumpled paper and old newspapers to fill the empty spaces within the package. Paper is biodegradable and compostable, making it a more eco–friendly packaging option.
4. Use eco pallets. Eco pallets are surprising made of plastic. That is because they are not meant for a single-use. Plastic pallets are generally more durable and therefore are perfect for businesses that transport goods on a daily basis. If you are planning of using a pallet only once (e.g. while moving furniture) it would be preferable to use wooden pallets. You can later use them for different DIY projects or offer them to a friend, neighbour or family member that may need them.

*Extra tip for business users: Select LTL or PTL shipping services when your items cannot occupy the entire truckload. If all the available space is utilized within the trucks, fewer trips are needed and less greenhouse gas emissions are being released into the atmosphere.

Eco-friendly packaging materials to use:

• Recyclable packaging materials (paper, cardboard, bubble wrap etc.). It is always better to recycle these materials yourself first, before dropping them at the recycle bin. That is because recycling is not the most sustainable option existing these days.
• Biodegradable packaging materials (paper, cardboard, pulp and more). These materials can be broken down by microorganisms within days or weeks in comparison to other materials that might require years or centuries. As an example, a newspaper needs 6 weeks to break down, while a plastic bottle would need 100 years!

Green transport of goods. Future plans and initiatives

In Europe, 27% of greenhouse gas emissions are a product of the transport of goods and people (including aviation and shipping). The EU has put in place legislation to reduce emissions by at least 40% by 2030 – as part of the EU’s 2030 climate and energy framework and contribution to the Paris Agreement. Many fear that this goal will not be achieved if new means of “green transport” are found. We live in an era in which e-commerce is booming, which, as a result, increases international transportations.

A solution would be the focus on using biofuels, which burn cleaner than gasoline, resulting in fewer greenhouse gas emissions. Unlike some other fuel additives, biofuels are actually fully biodegradable. The two most common types of biofuel are bioethanol and biodiesel. The first is made by fermentation, mostly from carbohydrates produced in sugar or starch crops such as corn, sugarcane, or sweet sorghum. The second is produced from oils or fats using transesterification and is the most common biofuel in Europe. It is worth mentioning that the International Energy Agency wants biofuels to meet more than a quarter of world demand for transportation fuels by 2050.