There is quite a bit of talk about green eCommerce as of late. Going green or getting into eco-friendly eCommerce, however, is another story altogether. Limiting one’s impact on the environment, reducing one’s carbon footprint is the way to go today, as sustainability is increasingly in the forefront of entrepreneurship across the globe.
Green Web Hosting
There are quite a few changes online stores can make to go green, as eco-friendly stores are good for the environment and the customers that frequent them. According to Sustainable Business Toolkit, online stores can reduce their carbon footprint by using a green web host, as they use renewable energy credits, such as wind or solar energy to counterbalance the energy used by websites. By switching to a green web host, online companies can make their contribution to the reduction of the overall carbon footprint.
Green Packaging
Another very important step toward reducing the overall carbon footprint is switching to green packaging. Today, shipping plays a big role in eCommerce. Bundling items together and using biodegradable materials would further contribute to reducing a company’s carbon footprint. For instance, using biodegradable mailers, boxes and packing peanuts is the way to go to help protect the environment from Styrofoam and plastics. For instance, Styrofoam takes up to 500 years to decompose, according to Sustainable Business Toolkit.
Sustainable Products
Another area online stores could explore has to do with the products they sell. If they make sure that their products or raw materials are made using sustainable practices, their contribution to the reduction of their carbon footprint would definitely increase. Going paperless is another way to help contribute to green eCommerce. Recycling is yet another.
Work from Home
Finally, allowing some employees to work from home would help reduce a company’s carbon footprint even further. When we’re talking about large companies with over 1,000 employees, this can make an enormous difference to the environment. In addition, holding meetings online can help reduce the environmental impact that travel could have.
It is not difficult to switch to a green eCommerce or eco-friendly model. In this case, small steps make a huge difference when it comes to reducing a company’s carbon footprint. Has your business implemented sustainable practices? If so, Convt was created to illuminate and recognize such achievements.
