Online shopping and ecology - does that go together?
On this Friday, 20.09., many thousands of people will present it to us in the form of the great climate strike: Climate change is probably the greatest challenge of our time. Irrespective of whether it was caused exclusively by humans, there is a threat of devastating global consequences. Even out of pure self-interest, people and the world community must question and change their actions.
As an online shop, we take a critical view of our activities in this context, as we send out quite a large amount of packaging material and chemical products every day. But should we therefore rather shut down our business now? We think: No. On the one hand others would simply take over our job (in bad form), on the other hand we would take the chance to do it better. Rather, it is our aim to bring online trade and ecology together. In this blog post we would like to describe our way.
Efficient shipping
When you think of online trade and ecology, you quickly think of the large quantities of cardboard packaging and packaging material. In the recent past, we have consciously decided to replace the bubble wrap used up to now with recycled paper. In addition to avoiding the use of plastic, this also offers the possibility of reuse, e.g. for reshipment after a return.
A change in the way we pack our parcels has meant that we need smaller boxes and less padding material. We have also adapted the carton sizes to the product sizes. The use of a completely oversized carton in relation to the product size is almost impossible with us.
Who doesn't know it from the major online shops: one order, three products, three packages. Shippers with decentralised warehousing are structurally forced to do so. Due to our size and our central warehouse, we ship over 95% of orders within one carton. Only at the explicit request of the customer do we split the order to speed up delivery.
Product samples are indispensable on the customer side. Ecologically the small sachets are at least doubtful. However, in order to optimise their use and avoid direct disposal, they are adapted to the customer wherever possible.
With our shipping partner DHL, we have a service provider at our side who attaches great importance to environmental protection. The accelerated use of electric vehicles in delivery and the promotion of environmental projects via the GoGreen service give us a good feeling here.
Modern office organisation
In addition to our warehouse, our office is constantly being modernised, both technically and organisationally. Due to the accelerated digitalization we are approaching the digital office more and more. Where a printout of documents is not absolutely necessary, the document remains digital. We also encourage our suppliers to switch to digital invoices. Almost two years ago, we switched the entire lighting in our offices from fluorescent tubes to LED panels. Even if we only purchase green electricity, we can still save electricity in this way.
Most office employees have the opportunity to work in their home office. In addition to unnecessary travel time, this also saves CO2 when travelling. Some colleagues also work completely from home and thus have even more time for the family.
But in the future we would like to save even more paper and are already working on a solution to do without paper invoices in the packages and the accounting.
Plant trees
Have you ever heard of #einheitsbuddeln? Einheitsbuddeln is an initiative of the state of Schleswig-Holstein. The national holiday on the 3rd of October is to be given a special note by motivating the citizens to plant a tree. We will participate and also plant a tree. Perhaps an apple tree, then it has a double effect. Further information can be found here: https://www.einheitsbuddeln.de/home
Conclusion
Climate protection is everyone's business. Everyone must make their own contribution. Ideally, we will convert our everyday lives to a sustainable way of life with many small and large measures. And necessarily as quickly as possible. Our team puts a lot of thought into this privately and professionally and is ready to make its contribution.
