There are many reasons for businesses to focus on the sustainability of operations, especially in the packaging industry where there are significant changes happening daily. In most cases, those changes are driven by the need to reduce environmental impact.
To do so, shipping labels have emerged as sustainable packaging tools that help achieve this goal. You may hear shipping labels and immediately think about those little stickers or “this way up labels“, but they do have roles to play in effective product shipping.
If you need help understanding those roles, here’s a list of 5 common roles played by shipping labels in sustainable packaging.
1. Impact Quality of Materials Used
The quality of any shipping label is heavily dependent on the quality of its material, and when those materials greatly impact the environmental footprint, they become crucial. As a result, businesses are seeking labels that have been made from recycled or biodegradable materials to help with eco-friendly operations.
Most companies also look towards innovative shipping label materials such as plant-based plastics or compostable films for their labels. The essence is to access sustainable materials that’ll help align shipping practices with the common goal of environmental consciousness.
2. Waste Reduction
When shipping labels are produced efficiently, they can contribute to waste reduction. This is possible thanks to the emergence of clear and accurate labels that ensure correct package labelling and designation. Shipping labels also reduce the chances of returns due to misdelivery or incorrect items.
Shipping labels are additions that save time and resources and minimise the risk of packaging waste.
3. Improved Transparency and Traceability
In the supply chain, transparency and traceability are key factors for ensuring efficiency and mitigating bad results. Thankfully, shipping labels are useful in enhancing those factors. Also, thanks to the ability to now include vital information on labels, companies can better monitor the movement of products through the supply chain.
Vital details like barcodes, tracking numbers, and origin details are useful for ensuring the packages are well accounted for and properly monitored.
4. Leads to Better Customer Behaviour
It’s no secret that business operations influence consumer behaviour, so when you have a tool that improves those operations, it’s only natural that customer responses are greatly improved as well.
Since shipping labels provide clear and concise information on the proper disposal or recycling of packaging materials, customers are better educated on the need for responsible consumption.
5. Improves Economy Initiatives
Circular economy initiatives can also benefit from shipping labels and their roles in packaging industries. The aim is always to reduce waste and improve the use of resources, so when vital information is integrated via shipping labels, it’s easier to share these initiatives with the community.
QR codes, for instance, serve as a gateway to online platforms that educate consumers on product lifespan and other pieces of information vital to better product management.
Conclusion
Shipping labels have no doubt become critical components of any packaging industry seeking sustainable and profitable strategies. They offer much more than clear and concise images and play a role in impacting consumer behaviour and the environment.
Therefore, be sure to learn the tips for choosing the best labels to enhance shipping operations.
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