The rise of e-commerce has led to the growing demand for packaging and protective fillers, which are often disposed of improperly or use plastic material in its make. As a result, there is an increasing amount of packaging waste being generated around the world. Is sustainable packaging the next step?

The plastic waste disposed of often disintegrates and these microplastics further pollute the environment and enter the food-web through animals.

The introduction of durable, sustainable, and recyclable packaging is necessary. Companies around the world are heading towards a circular economy in packaging through design innovation.

Companies like LimeLoop provide lightweight, durable shipping containers that can be used over 200 times, whereas, Ab InBev is introducing 100% returnable packaging material, which is expected to be made with at least 50% recycled material by 2025.

Industry leaders such as DHL, Amazon, Ikea, and others are modifying their policies and strategies to incorporate concepts of the circular economy through reduction, reuse, and recycling.

The use of recyclable and returnable packaging in the e-commerce sector will ensure there is minimal and efficient usage of resources, with the protection of the environment.

While home and small businesses can easily include eco-friendly packing method for their products, it is rather difficult for large e-commerce businesses to do the same. Hence, it is important to find alternatives for the packaging problem such as the usage of recycled plastic or recyclable materials.

One such step towards sustainable packaging in India was taken by a leading e-commerce brand where they replaced bubble wrap with cardboard which can be reused, recycled and causes comparatively less pollution.