How to implement sustainable logistics this peak season

This peak season, sustainable logistics is in the spotlight, with consumers watching the actions of brands closely. But can your business really act sustainably whilst meeting increased demand and tighter turnaround times? We think so! Our 8 sustainable logistics tips will help your business reduce waste for a more ecology-friendly sales period.  

8 sustainable logistics practices to implement this peak season

1. Reduce waste with AI inventory management

Forecasting demand can be a big challenge for retailers during peak season. Understock and you’ll have some disappointed customers on your hands; overstock and you’ll have unnecessary handling and storage costs. Fortunately, Artificial Intelligence can help you reduce waste. Smart inventory management software uses predictive analytics to more accurately forecast demand – insights you can use before placing orders with suppliers. Furthermore, it will monitor your stock levels, in real time, and adjust your website’s prices to help shift slower-moving products. As for any stock that is left over, a Boxing Day flash sale will help sell it and divert it from ending up in landfill.

2. Switch to eco-friendly packaging

Did you know that 82% of consumers would be willing to pay more for sustainable packaging?² Fortunately there are plenty of planet-friendly options to help your business meet this demand. Prioritize reusable, recyclable and bio-degradable packaging. You can even explore some of the more unusual packaging innovations out there – like bamboo, mushrooms and even seaweed!

Eco-friendly packaging isn’t just about the materials though – space is just as important. Using too-large boxes for your products means they can’t be packed as efficiently during transit – leading to extra and unnecessary transport emissions.  

3. Encourage recycling

It’s the season of excess – and that includes packaging. In America alone, people throw away 25% more trash between Thanksgiving and New Year's than any other period³. It’s a wasteful time, but your business can play its part in a circular economy by prioritizing recycling throughout its supply chain. Use recyclable materials for your packaging, and incentivize customers to send their empty packaging back to you with a discount code for their next order – a strategy that will reflect well on your brand and earn you some extra sales.

4. Reduce your carbon emissions

DHL’s GoGreen Plus solution enables businesses to reduce the carbon emissions associated with their shipments through the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel – a biofuel that is produced from renewable sources such as vegetable oils, animal fats, waste products, and agricultural crops. It can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80% compared to fossil fuels. The service can be selected for individual shipments, making it a flexible option for SMEs and e-commerce businesses with smaller cargo loads.

5. Offer On-Demand Delivery  

An efficient last-mile delivery is a key part of a sustainable supply chain; after all, every failed delivery leads to a re-delivery attempt that increases transportation emissions (and costs your business money!) But with DHL’s On-Demand Delivery, your customers will be able to choose from a wide range of flexible delivery options – including choosing a specific delivery time (when they know they will be home), or opting to have the package left with a neighbor or at a parcel locker. A convenient delivery experience for customers that will increase your first-time delivery rate, too.

6. Introduce a reverse logistics strategy

Unfortunately, product returns are a big part of e-commerce. For more sustainable returns, you could consider a reverse logistics strategy, which promotes the recycling, reusing and repairing of returned products. This circular economy system will reduce excess inventory and storage space – both of which will save your business money – and, of course, lessen the amount of waste that ends up in landfill.

7. Shout about your sustainable logistics practices

79% of consumers are considering sustainability in their holiday shopping this year, whilst 76% are even willing to pay more for eco-friendly products¹. Ensure visitors to your e-commerce website can clearly see where your business stands: add a banner to your homepage highlighting your green delivery options, and create an “eco-friendly gifts” tab on your menu to direct customers to your sustainable and fair-trade products quickly.  

8. Give back

‘Tis the season of giving after all…Perhaps your business could donate a portion of holiday proceeds to an environmental scheme, or commit to plant a tree for every order received. It could also do something for the local community – small business Stand 4 Socks⁴, for example, donates a pair of thick socks to a homeless person for every pair sold on its website.

With peak season underway, we know you probably have a million things on your to-do list. But with a DHL Express Business Account, you can leave the logistics to the experts. Fast, reliable, international shipping for your SME is one click away.