E-commerce labels | 149Domino K600i Piezo DOD inkjet printer“The pandemic has changed online shopping behavior forever. More consumers have shifted to online retail due to the convenience to shop online and return merchandise when needed”for the restoration of biodiversity in eco-conscious shoppers. Sustainability considerations have the world’s oceans, found that Amazon Fashion brand H&M Group has signifcantly infuenced the purchasing generated 599 million pounds of plastic developed a multi-brand packaging decisions of e-commerce and logistics packaging waste in 2020. This is a 29 system with bags made of forest-certifed businesses when it comes to label percent increase over Oceana’s 2019 paper. Once opened, the bags are materials. Label manufacturers are facing estimate of 465 million pounds. recyclable. both new challenges and opportunities However, consumers are not oblivious The new branding labels now allow to meet the ever-changing needs of the to multiplying e-commerce waste. A DHL H&M brands to be more relevant with logistics space. survey in Europe reveals that more than messaging, while the bags have a cleaner Avery Dennison’s Ghoussoub says half (53 percent) of e-commerce shoppers look. This in turn prevents packages from that label manufacturers are developing expressed a desire for online retailers to having outdated messages on them, labeling products that use recycled prioritize sustainability in their operations, preventing another waste risk. materials, offer biobased options, or including delivery and packaging. reduce waste during production. Linerless Furthermore, over 20 percent of Easier said than done also offers sustainability benefts via Swedish shoppers stated that they Andoni Rodriguez, business segment waste reduction, resource conservation are willing to pay a higher price for director of logistics, retail, offce and and lower carbon footprint.eco-friendly deliveries. linerless at UPM Rafatac, says the Avery Dennison has launched a carbon Additionally, the survey observes that e-commerce sector must be more focused footprinting tool created in collaboration 58 percent of European shoppers are on helping deliver sustainability. with the Carbon Trust to continue its drive willing to wait longer for their deliveries ‘This is easier said than done as the towards transparency and continuous if it means supporting more sustainable sector has to deal with challenges such improvement in environmental impact practices, even when same-day or as deploying more logistical solutions measurement and reporting on label next-day delivery options are available. to meet enhanced demand, producing products. The footprinting tool is intended Consequently, brands are actively more packaging to ensure products are to provide information on the greenhouse moving to more sustainable means of delivered to customers safely, and the gas and water footprint of an expanding packaging in their e-commerce activities. challenge of dealing with returned goods array of Avery Dennison’s label and Online fashion and cosmetics retailer and packages. In short, driven by global packaging materials products globally ASOS has modifed its black and white consumption, today’s e-commerce and including faces, liners and adhesives. fexible packaging mailer bags by reducing logistics industries are changing the way ‘Improving the recyclability and their thickness by 10 to 20 microns. The we package, label and ship products.’ therefore the sustainability of packaging brand has also integrated a closed-loop Rodriguez adds: ‘We work together with within the e-commerce and logistics system with its packaging manufacturer e-commerce players to fulfll their targets sector is only going to grow in importance Pregis Performance Flexibles to gather all in using recycled content packaging in the coming years, as the world of the returned packaging and roll them back materials and help them to promote the e-commerce is only going to grow,’ into making new mailing bags. circular economy. We have brought to Rodriguez says. Leading Indian fashion e-commerce market a wide range of labeling solutions ‘As a result, it’s important to remember brand Myntra has shifted to eco-friendly that follow the principles of reduce, that the power of the label extends far recycled paper shreds to replace bubble recycle, renew and reuse. beyond functionality and can directly wrap and air-flled plastic packing The solutions have been proving affect the sustainability of a product.’ pouches for the packaging of products. popular with printers and converters, as Rodriguez concludes: ‘Through our All the other plastic that it cannot avoid they help brands meet virgin-material products and services, including our using, it recycles. The brand’s Myntra reduction targets, reducing the pressure RAFNXT+ product range, RafCycle for Earth products also get delivered in on using such feedstocks and combatting recycling service and Direct Thermal outer packaging made of paper for its climate change.’ (DT) OptiCut linerless labels, we are well Jul - Sep 2023