How to start your online store sustainably

The earth is warming and that has negative consequences. To limit this as much as possible, there are many environmental regulations you must follow. And 55% of consumers are willing to pay more for eco-friendly brands. So it makes sense to take sustainability into account right from the start of your online store. And prepare for future laws and rules. For example, when choosing premises or packaging materials.

Waste

The Netherlands wants to be climate-neutral and as waste-free as possible by 2050. That is why there are more and more regulations on waste. You must separate your waste. 

Separating waste

Every entrepreneur must separate paper, glass, and organic waste. Does your shop also produce textile or wood waste? You must separate that too. Fill in theCompany waste separation tooland find out which rules apply to you.

Sustainable packaging

Use as little packaging material as possible when shipping orders. This also saves on costs. Ship products in their original packaging, for example. Is that not an option? Use a customised box for each order. On average, 27.4% (in Dutch) of all packages shipped is just air. With cardboard boxes, this is often as much as 50%. The more durable your package, the better prepared you are for the upcoming European sustainability rules for packaging. Oversized packages mean vans can carry fewer packages at a time. This means more frequent journeys and more CO2 emissions.

Look at the material for the packaging you ship orders in. There is more and more biodegradable or recycled packaging available, such as biodegradable filling chips made of starch. Boxes can be sealed with paper tape or with glue made of natural rubber. Do you ship in bags? Use 100% recycled paper for shipping bags.

Sustainable shipping

You have several options for sending orders. For example, have parcels shipped to collection points instead of home addresses as standard. This means delivery vans travel fewer kilometres. For delivery in cities, you can also choose bicycle couriers. Or work with a carrier that combines both options. Parcels are then brought to a central point. And the last part of the delivery to your customer is done by bike.

Shipping options

Do you deliver throughout the Netherlands? Then team up with a transport partner that provides sustainable transport. There are no major delivery services that offer all-electric deliveries yet. However, large delivery services such as PostNL, DHL, and DPD are working on greening their fleets.
Another choice is working with bicycle couriers, who deliver parcels by bicycle or cargo bike. This is a good option if you sell smaller products locally that are easy to transport by bike.

Returns

Go green and avoid returns. The fewer parcels your customers send back, the fewer vans there are to drive. And it also saves you time, administration, and money. Provide clear product information and product photos on your website. Include all dimensions, materials, and maintenance information for a product. Take clear, true-to-colour photos from several sides. The clearer the information, the less likely customers are to return their orders. If they do, ask for the reason for the return. Improve your product information accordingly. This will help prevent returns in the future.

Sustainable procurement

When buying products for your shop, look at price, quality, and delivery time. But also check whether you can buy products in a socially responsible way. This means that you only buy products that are good for people and the environment.

The government expects you to be socially responsible as an entrepreneur. This means that you and your partners work with respect for people and the environment. Find out with the CSR Risk Check whether there are social risks associated with any products you import.

Financing for sustainability

Starting an online store costs money. Starting your business sustainably often requires an investment. Do you need to borrow money to become more sustainable? Then the government can help. The SME credit scheme BMKB-Groen lowers the risk for your financier which makes it easier to get a loan.

Sustainable premises

Do you need a warehouse for your online shop? Check how sustainable the building you rent or buy is. A sustainable building can make a big difference in comfort and costs. Look for premises with good insulation and double glazing. If that is not available, you can make the building more sustainable yourself. Not sure where to start, or what will save you the most? An energy consultant can help. They will look at your premises and advise on the best way to go about it.