Going green with your shipping practices doesn’t mean going broke. In fact, sustainable shipping can often align with cost-saving strategies—especially when you plan ahead and know where to source materials. Whether you’re a small business, side hustler, or just shipping personal packages, these practical tips will help you reduce environmental impact without sacrificing your bottom line.
Use Recycled or Reusable Packaging
Opt for boxes and mailers made from recycled materials. Look for packaging labeled with post-consumer content (PCR), which helps reduce waste going to landfills. Suppliers like EcoEnclose and Better Packaging Co. offer a range of compostable and recyclable mailers at competitive prices. If you’re on a tight budget, reusing clean boxes and materials from previous shipments is a free and eco-conscious place to start.
Choose the Right Size Package
Oversized boxes don’t just waste space—they waste fuel during transit. Carriers like USPS and FedEx factor in dimensional weight (DIM weight), so larger boxes often cost more, even if they’re light. Choosing snug, right-sized packaging reduces materials, shipping costs, and carbon emissions.
Ditch Plastic Tape for Paper Alternatives
Water-activated paper tape (also called gummed tape) is recyclable, biodegradable, and just as durable as plastic tape. It bonds strongly to corrugated cardboard and reinforces the box better, meaning less chance of damage in transit. Brands like Uline and Paper Mart carry paper tape in bulk.
Bulk Ship and Combine Orders
Batching your shipments not only saves you time, but reduces transportation emissions by consolidating trips. Encourage customers to bundle orders or offer incentives for combined shipping. This works especially well for subscription boxes, restocks, or repeat buyers.
Offer Carbon-Neutral Shipping Options
Many carriers and platforms now allow you to offset emissions. For example, Shopify and Sendle both offer carbon-neutral options baked into their shipping services. If you use third-party shipping software, check if it supports carbon offset integration or lets you donate to eco causes during checkout.
Use Cashback Apps When Buying Green Supplies
Eco-friendly materials can be more expensive up front, so offset the cost using cashback tools like Rakuten, Ibotta, or Fluz. Buying gift cards on Fluz for stores like Target, Staples, or ULINE lets you earn instant cashback on your packaging supplies—even when buying sustainable options.
Get started with Fluz gift cards.
Make Your Sustainability Practices Visible
Let customers know about your green efforts with a short note inside the box or a line on your website. Transparency builds trust and shows you’re committed to thoughtful business practices, which matters to modern shoppers.
