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Companies around the world want to reduce their carbon footprints. So, they are implementing sustainable and eco-friendly practices throughout all aspects of their business. They are allowing employees to work remotely, which can reduce greenhouse gas emissions from daily commutes. They are embracing digital documents over paper ones to minimize their contributions to paper waste. And they are sourcing ethical, recyclable materials for the products that they manufacture.
How can companies make their commercial product shipments more sustainable? These are some options available to them.
Used Shipping Containers
Shipping containers have long lifespans. They can last for over two decades before they succumb to too much wear and tear and go into “retirement.” Businesses that want to practice more sustainable and eco-friendly practices can use shipping containers that aren’t brand-new to carry their dry cargo overseas. Choosing to reuse a vessel that’s already been in circulation is more “sustainable” than getting a new container every time that you need to transport items.
Where can you find these shipping containers? The website Boxhub is a reliable resource for all of your shipping container needs. You can browse the website to find used shipping containers that are in great condition. The shipping containers will come in two sizes: 20 feet and 40 feet. You’ll also get to choose between a standard model or a high-cube model.
Full Shipping Containers
Whenever you intend to ship containers overseas, you should pack as many products as you can reasonably fit in them without surpassing their weight capacities. The containers shouldn’t be practically empty — this can be considered a waste of carbon emissions.
If you’re only managing to ship small amounts of products overseas, you should consider consolidating your container load. This means sharing your shipping container with other companies in order to use up as much container space as possible.
Minimizing Product Returns
Product returns are going to make your company responsible for more carbon emissions. That product will be shipped back to your base of operations to be restocked or thrown away. And if the client wants a replacement, you will have to ship another product all the way back to their location. That’s two additional trips’ worth of greenhouse gasses.
Product returns aren’t just environmentally wasteful. They’re financially wasteful, too. Companies take huge financial losses to manage product returns from their customers.
Your company can take certain steps to prevent situations that lead to product returns. Start by ensuring that products arrive at their final destination in top condition. If they arrive damaged, they will inevitably be sent back. These are some protective measures you can take:
- Store items on wooden pallets inside shipping containers. This will prevent items from shifting during travel.
- Use desiccants to absorb moisture inside shipping containers to prevent any damage from condensation.
- Wrap and cushion products carefully so that they don’t break during travel.
Some retailers are even asking their customers to not return items they don’t want anymore. This doesn’t mean that unhappy customers are completely out of luck. It simply means that they can access a refund without having to ship the item back to the original retailer. This solution can reduce the need for extra shipping, minimizing your company’s financial burden and carbon footprint all at once.
Commercial shipping can be more sustainable. Your company can help make it that way. Follow these tips to reduce your carbon footprint through shipping!
