At some point, everyone has received a package that doesn’t match the size of their order. Maybe you open the box only to find mostly bubble wrap and random pieces of cardboard to fill the unused space, your product squished into the very corner of the box. It can make anyone wonder: “What kind of packing job is this?” Too often, customers receive mismatched packages, resulting in a waste of materials and leaving poor impressions all-around. As more consumers continue to receive these kinds of packages, it’s time for businesses to rethink their packaging strategy and start thinking about how to create a more sustainable practice—and it starts with right-sized packaging. 

The push for right-sized, sustainable packaging has gained a lot of momentum, as the “Sustainable Consumer 2023” report highlights how consumer attitudes have evolved due to the growing climate awareness. Because of this growing movement, consumers are driven to make more sustainable lifestyle choices, and when business operations don’t match these values, they can be alienated and even lose customers.

Switching to right-sized packaging with ShipHawk is a step forward for the environmental movement, and it not only makes customers happy, but it also optimizes ecommerce businesses in the long run.

How Right-sized Packaging Changes The Game

Right-sized packaging, which entails using boxes that fit the size of the product correctly, results in a number of sustainable advantages: 

• Protection in Transit: When a package is sized right, it can prevent internal collisions of products against the sides of the box, which results in the absorption of any shock, vibrations, and drops. Packaging aids in holding the product’s shape from warping, as it’s not fully guaranteed that a package will be handled correctly during transportation, especially when the box contains fragile products. When it comes to multiple products within one box, then it’s best to include extra packaging for individual items to further ensure nothing gets damaged. 
• Cost Savings: Packages that are too big for their products leave extra unused space inside, meaning that companies are paying to ship more air than product. This unnecessary expense can set back businesses and leave poor impressions on customers. By minimizing the size of your boxes to match your content, you can cut down on costs and create a better visual appeal for your customers. Reducing shipping costs that may be associated with dimensional weight pricing creates more efficient order consolidation as well. To attain more accurate weights and dimensions of your packages, utilizing ShipHawk’s dimensioner is a vital cost-effective tool that will save your business both time and money too.  
• Operational Efficiency: Appropriate packing not only saves space and money, but it also streamlines the packing process. By eliminating unnecessary space, packers don’t have to spend more time inserting extra material into oversized boxes. With right-sized packaging, you can process orders quickly, and because right-sized packages require less storage space, you can allow a more efficient use of your warehousing as well. When it comes to scaling your warehouse operations with ShipHawk’s help, utilizing your physical space becomes a valuable asset that you don’t want to miss out on. 
• Environmental Sustainability: Right-sized packaging decreases waste for a more sustainable practice, as it reduces material waste like cardboard and plastic throughout your supply chain. While packing materials are technically recyclable, consumer recycling behavior can be fickle, as many oversized packages end up at major landfills. While right-sized packaging may seem like a small change, this supports broader sustainability initiatives and positions your business as environmentally responsible; being eco-conscious is one thing the majority of customers look for, as it’s imperative that businesses contribute to a greener set of practices. 

Contribute To A Greener Future With ShipHawk

In the face of ecological challenges, we are still witnessing rapid technological advancement and major shifts in consumer behavior and expectations. Businesses need to be aware of how these changing elements are impacting our environment. Right-sized packaging is a notable example of how the supply chain can minimize ecological damage, as it highlights how businesses can utilize their resources responsibly and reduce excess waste. The relationship between conservation and commerce is a tricky one, but when we optimize shipping volumes and reduce packaging materials, businesses can contribute to a more balanced state. 

To ensure that your business is contributing to this environmental movement, it’s best to rely on ShipHawk’s Warehouse Management System (WMS) and Transportation Management System (TMS) to ensure your warehouse and shipping operations are optimal and sustainable. 

With ShipHawk’s advanced WMS, you’ll receive warehouse functionality that’s optimized for scaling omnichannel businesses in addition to benefits like intuitive receiving and directed-putaway, effortless cross-docking, continuous wave optimization, and more. ShipHawk WMS is an agile, highly configurable system capable of addressing the fast-paced needs of scaling companies, and with its best-in-class practices, it’s also an optimal way to contribute sustainability practices. 

Additionally, ShipHawk TMS offers essential tools like Smart Packing that allows businesses to avoid shipping out mismatched packages and wasted material. Our Smart Packing software for cartonization helps shippers select the right box or pallet for every order. You can maximize efficiency with every carton shipped by utilizing packaging optimization, as our software is powered by a proprietary bin-packing algorithm that ensures each carton/box is picked correctly. Additionally, Smart Packing reduces shipping costs by avoiding extra dimensional weight charges, which only emphasizes how optimal right-sized packaging can be for your business. 

By implementing ShipHawk’s WMS and TMS software, you’re contributing to a greener future in the shipping world. If you’re interested in learning more about right-sized packaging or ShipHawk, feel free to reach out to us today!