Eco-friendly package fillers

Protecting the environment is one of the most important issues facing the still-growing e-commerce industry. Statistics show that online retail generates tons of plastic waste every day—not to mention the carbon footprint left by various means of transport (trucks, planes, or container ships).

Green e-commerce is therefore not only an opportunity, but a necessity for all merchants.

E-commerce in Poland

Consumer awareness is growing. In the joint report by Gemius, Polskie Badania Internetu and IAB Polska—E-Commerce in Poland 2023 [1]—42 percent of respondents declared that the impact of the delivery method on the environment matters to them. That is why as many as 82 percent of shoppers choose delivery to a parcel locker. In addition, 67 percent of respondents appreciate the use of eco-friendly packaging, while for 58 percent the ability to use reusable cartons for returns is important. The changes are especially significant for the group under 24 years of age. Young people have the greatest awareness of global pro-eco trends. They are the ones who most often pay attention to reducing the carbon footprint, opting for transport using electric vehicles.

Online shopping impacts the environment in three areas—packaging, transport, and returns.

Transport in e-commerce is primarily focused on optimization. A key factor in this process is choosing the shortest possible routes, while reducing the number of kilometers driven and so-called empty runs. Logistics professionals and other transport specialists play an important role here. Another important step appears to be investing in a green fleet. Already, most courier companies have electric delivery vehicles in their fleets. Seeing them on the streets of large Polish metropolitan areas is completely normal.

The biggest problem for online retail, however, is the issue of packaging returns. As we mentioned in our previous blog post about paper tapes, nearly 30 percent of parcels in online sales are returned. In Poland alone, around 2 million shipments are delivered daily. The biggest increase is recorded during the Christmas season, when couriers deliver even several million parcels a day. This situation causes the amount of waste to grow at an alarming rate.

Eco-friendly packaging offers a solution. More and more often, sellers use packaging made from biodegradable materials or recycled content. Paper tapes are gaining popularity, effectively replacing synthetic ones. Another interesting development is eco-friendly package fillers, a field in which the Bublaki brand specializes.

In this article, we will focus primarily on paper honeycomb wraps.

What can you fill a parcel with?

Today, a wide variety of parcel fillers are available on the market. Unfortunately, synthetic materials that are not environmentally neutral are still quite popular, e.g., bubble wrap. One solution seems to be special air pillows, most often made from recycled materials.

As for biodegradable materials, some of the best options are foams or corn chips, the so-called Skropak, which dissolves in water. Another interesting option is paper that looks like a honeycomb.

Honeycomb-style paper is paper that resembles real honeycombs, as if pulled straight from a beehive. It is made from eco-friendly materials and is 100 percent biodegradable. The paper stands out for its durability thanks to being made from strong materials.

The most important features of honeycomb:

Product protection: Despite its unassuming appearance, the slit paper is highly durable. In addition, it отлично cushions vibrations that parcels are exposed to during transport.

Environmental protection: Honeycomb is made from 100 percent biodegradable materials. As a result, after use the paper can be recycled, which helps protect the natural environment.

Storage: Slit paper is sold in rolls, so it is very easy to store even in small shipping warehouses.

Value offer: Honeycomb is highly efficient. You don’t need much material to effectively protect a product during transport. Combined with a competitive price, slit paper is a very advantageous choice for e-commerce sellers.

Appearance: Slit paper is characterized by an aesthetic look that is clearly associated with global eco-trends.

Which honeycomb should you choose?

On the bublaki.pl website you will find paper in various versions.

Slit honeycomb paper is available in standard rolls of different lengths: 30, 50, 100 and 250 meters. Some rolls differ in height by a few centimeters; the paper grammage remains unchanged—80 g/m2, which proves its durability. Fans of a more designer look will like paper in white, black, or red.

Honeycomb packing paper is also available as a flexible protective bag, which makes it possible to secure products with unusual shapes, e.g., bottles, ceramics, or a figurine. The first one is 44 centimeters high, while the second measures 22 centimeters.

If you are a beginner seller or a large e-commerce enterprise, you can equip yourself with a manual dispenser for honeycomb paper BM-PHD01. Such a device will help you pack quickly and effectively, while fully securing the product during transport.

The manual dispenser is built on a metal structure, which guarantees durability and long service life. The device has compact dimensions (630 x 200 x 210 mm). Therefore, it won’t take up much space at the workstation, while also organizing the surrounding area. Special suction-cup feet ensure excellent stability.

A dispenser with an additional guillotine enables even faster and more precise cutting of the paper. With it, you will reduce operating costs and increase the packer’s efficiency.

Summary

To sum up, online shopping generates a lot of plastic waste and increases the carbon footprint, although companies involved in this sector of the economy are trying to take care of the natural environment. Transport in e-commerce aims to reduce the number of kilometers driven and introduces electric vehicles. Returns, on the other hand, are carried out in reusable parcels, and some sellers allow unwanted products to be returned without any packaging at all.

More and more people—especially young people—pay attention to environmental protection and choose pro-eco options. That is why eco-friendly package fillers may revolutionize the global e-commerce market in the near future. One of the best options available on the market is paper honeycomb, i.e., paper with slits resembling a honeycomb. It has several advantages: it is lightweight, durable, and protects items well during transport. This makes it an environmentally friendly substitute for synthetic fillers.

[1] https://www.iab.org.pl/aktualnosci/raport-e-commerce-w-polsce-2023/