You run a product-based business, so a big part of your operations is packaging and shipping orders. This might sound easy enough, but there’s a lot to consider. A common mistake many business owners make is overdoing it. They use too many types of void fill or too much adhesive. You might think this makes your products safer in transit, but that’s not necessarily the case. Read on to explore the many compelling reasons to avoid excessive product packaging.
1. It’s Unnecessarily Expensive
Packaging materials might not be super expensive in and of themselves, but their costs multiply across thousands of shipments. Every extra layer of bubble wrap, oversized box, and unnecessary insert adds up. When you use more packaging than necessary, you’re essentially paying for materials that provide no additional value to your customers.
Shipping costs compound this problem. Carriers charge based on dimensional weight, which means bulky packages cost more to ship even if they’re lightweight. A product that could fit in a small mailer but gets shipped in a large box with excessive padding will trigger higher shipping rates.
2. It Contributes to Environmental Harm
Every unnecessary piece of tape and sheet of bubble wrap is trash that shouldn’t have to end up in landfills. If you optimize your packaging to include just the essential protection (and use eco-friendly materials), you can make a big impact throughout the course of your business’s life.
Plus, customers appreciate this. More and more people shop with the environment in mind, and when they receive a responsibly packaged product, they’re more likely to buy from you again.
3. Customers Dislike Difficult Packaging
Opening a package should be satisfying, not annoying. If your customers have to cut, tear, and pull their way through excessive tape and padding, that reflects poorly on your brand. Conversely, well-designed packaging protects your product while creating a positive experience that customers remember and want to share with others.
4. It’s Inefficient
Excessive packaging slows down your fulfillment process. Workers spend extra time applying unnecessary layers of protection and handling oversized boxes. These delays are small, but they accumulate across your entire operation.
There’s also the fact that if your boxes are too big and bulky for their contents, they take up more space in your warehouse. If you’re not maximizing your warehouse’s floor plan, you’re leaving earnings on the table by limiting how much product you can move.
Easy Fixes To Implement Today
The reasons to avoid excessive product packaging should be clear by now, but how can you fix the problem in your operations? Consult a professional service that can analyze your products and determine optimized packaging designs that protect perfectly without going overboard. Additionally, address the processes you use to package items. For example, finding a reliable carton sealer will make you apply the right amount of tape—nothing less and nothing more. Lastly, consider using eco-friendly materials, including biodegradable void fill and adhesive. Though they still go to waste, they don’t have as much of a devastating impact on the environment and require fewer resources to produce.
Review your current packaging practices and identify opportunities to streamline without compromising product protection. Your customers will appreciate the change, and your business will benefit from improved efficiency and reduced costs.
