The online retail industry is successful due to the convenience that it offers to customers. In addition, it is convenient for businesses, as they can list goods easier, and build profits while reaching a bigger targeted customer base.

Some retailers assume that an online presence is completely eco-friendly compared to a physical high-street store. This is not necessarily true. Environmental harm can be caused by a business, either online or physical, if they don’t have sustainable policies in place. These sustainable policies should embrace the digital world for online retail businesses to truly benefit. While many business leaders embrace digital change, these measures are standard rather than extraordinary. More needs to be done.

It can be challenging for online retailers to know how to act further. Some of them may have very little physical infrastructure, with much of their processes taking place in digital spaces. So, what more could they do? There are many ways online retailers can be more eco-friendly. We’ve listed some options below.

Investigate Government Schemes

The task of becoming more eco-friendly is a global movement, which means everybody’s invested in how things develop. This includes businesses, as well as the general public. This added interest means that governments across the world are introducing eco-friendly schemes to incentivise businesses to adopt more sustainable policies, and reduce their impact on the environment.

Politicians are a driving force behind these changes, creating policies that aim to improve sustainability, both in the short term and long term. They also create temporary schemes to encourage businesses to adapt their processes and become green. For businesses that fear that advancing eco-friendly policies is difficult or unrealistic, it’s useful to know that government-approved support packages exist that could help.

For example, a business could receive government-approved support in the form of tax benefits. This is an added bonus for businesses that are sustainable, and these tax-breaks could help the business have extra money available to fund sustainable initiatives. Proving that businesses showcase that they are producing less waste in their operations is one of the sure-fire ways of being eligible. Business leaders will need to show that the money is being used to promote sustainable policies, and is helping to transform the business to be more eco-friendly. It’s usually easy to stay up to date with the latest support available by browsing official government websites. They’ll list all the available resources and guides that business leaders need.

Government schemes can be a viable motivational factor for employees, too. If business leaders are pitching eco-friendly changes and need to strongarm influential decision-makers in their firms, then reminders of such perks could make a difference.

Keep Training

The sustainability industry is constantly evolving, with new measures being introduced regularly. Investing in continued education can be beneficial to keep up with current trends within the industry. If a company can’t adapt, it will risk being viewed as an outlier at a time when pioneers are needed more than ever before. 

It’s important for business leaders to provide regular training to individuals in the business. The sustainability online short courses from the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership covers many topics that could be of interest to leaders and employees alike. There are courses titled ‘Sustainable Food: Production and Processing’, ‘Leading Sustainability: High Impact Leadership’, ‘Business Sustainability Management’, and more. There are other Cambridge sustainability course formats available, too, offering different time parameters and pricing structures.

A flexible approach to training allows managers to work to their own schedule. This means that managers can sometimes learn while working, with some courses.

Electrify Fleet Vehicles

Everybody knows that electric vehicles (EVs) are more eco-friendly than their diesel and petrol counterparts. However, many businesses held off on integrating these into their fleets.

Though the UK has experienced an EV charging point challenge, more measures are being introduced to counter these difficulties. The workplace charging grant covers up to 75 per cent of the total costs of purchasing and installing EV charge points for businesses. It’s inclusive of VAT and capped at £350 per socket and 40 sockets across all sites of an applicant. These measures keep costs down.

While charge stations are also being installed in public places, if business leaders have them installed in their fleet storage facilities, vehicles can be charged overnight. This will ensure that drivers will always receive a fully charged vehicle when starting their shift and likely won’t need to make as many stops during their workday, if any.

While a business may be virtual, the fleet is still a part of the physical brand, making it more visible to customers. Having eco-friendly vehicles will go a long way in positive sentiment. Business leaders could design artwork on the EVs to show that they are electric. Few could question the businesses green credentials when the evidence is before them regularly.

Reduce Waste Packaging

The packaging provided by an online retail business should always be designed with maximum waste reduction in mind. Cutting back on using harmful materials is essential in making an online retail business more eco-friendly. Utilise data to better estimate consumer demand, eliminate overpacking, and minimise the presence of plastic. Business leaders could even refine the returns policy of the business, encouraging customers to send goods back rather than dispose of them. 

They could also feature notices on the packaging to highlight it as recyclable and reusable. It could be beneficial for leaders to suggest creative ways the packaging can be repurposed. Some firms have ensured a second life for their containers and wrappings by suggesting their use as coat hangers or capitalising on their biodegradability and using them for composting. Customers should be able to recognise that a business is using less wastage, which adds to the customer experience. It will boost the business overall, as well as potentially save the company money.

There’s always another way to do things with the packaging. Much like the EVs, packaging is a consumer-facing effort rather than a strictly behind-the-scenes measure. It will be key for businesses to embrace the marketability of their decisions. 

Blog Activities

The actions that a firm takes can influence others. If one business employed any eco-friendly measures, they should share the firm’s development online.

A business should record the efforts and blog about everything they’re trying to achieve. They will benefit from explaining their reasoning behind the decisions and why others should follow suit. They should provide links to research from credible resources that support their points of view. Instruct any environmental officers in the firm to blog as well, and speak of their good work.

Online retailers need to enhance their blog posts to try and stand out amongst competitors. They should showcase how they are trying to run an eco-friendlier operation. This can be done by ensuring that writings adhere to search engine optimisation (SEO) principles.

Running an eco-friendly business is also an opportunity to engage with activism. It’s also a great chance to highlight that the firm doesn’t provide lip service but is run by people with integrity who keep their word and make lasting change.

Engage with Sustainability Elsewhere

Every voice matters in the fight for sustainability. A firm should rightly celebrate its progress, but the business should ensure that leaders are shining a light on those trying to make a difference.

This can be done by ensuring the online retail business is associated with entities that facilitate the green message. Online retailers can stock digital shelves with eco-friendly suppliers, and advertise the success of any peers that have made monumental strides in sustainability. This helps a business showcase that they are making an effort to be more eco-friendly.

These matters also prove that a firm is consistent in its values. If a business constantly preaches sustainability but works with suppliers that undermine that message, consumers will lose trust in the brand. If the business engages with the wider conversation more, then the business will be a friendly face in a very active and wholesome community. Online retailers can develop eco-friendly measures with a healthy balance of learning and leading, further establishing themselves as the future of business.