E-commerce

The most important developments affecting packaging in the e-commerce industry are:

• Reducing empty space in shipping packaging.
  Empty space in shipping packaging is a major issue, which has received a lot of attention from consumers and the media. More and more machines and software applications are being developed to pack orders more efficiently. There are also start-ups developing innovative machines and shipping packaging that can also be interesting for small-scale web shops. View the participants of Platform for Sustainable Packaging Innovators here.
  

• Introducing reusable packaging.More (concepts for) reusable packaging are being developed, for example bags, boxes and crates. Read more about reusable packaging here.
  

• Using biobased plastics.There are different types of biobased plastics. Some biobased plastics have the same molecular structure as fossil-based plastics. These can be mixed with fossil plastics in the recycling process and have the same properties, such as melting temperature or air permeability. An example of this is bio-PE, which is made from sugar cane and is used, for example, in HDPE bottles. There are also plastics made from renewable raw materials that have a different molecular structure than conventional, fossil-based plastics. As a result, they also have other properties; some variants are compostable, for example. Examples are PLA and starch. PLA is used in trays and foils, and starch in plastic bags. There are also new materials that are not compostable. Click here for more information about biobased and biodegradable packaging.
  
• Using recycled materials in plastic packaging.The application of recyclate in packaging ensures that less virgin material is needed. In the e-commerce sector, there are many opportunities for applying plastic recyclate, because this packaging usually does not have to meet the stricter requirements imposed on food packaging in connection with food safety. Together with Rijkswaterstaat (the Dutch Directorate-General for Public Works and Water Management), the KIDV carried out the Kunststof Verpakkingsafval als Grondstof (Plastic Packaging Waste as Resource) programme on the application of plastic recyclate. Click here for the results of this programme (only available in Dutch).
  
• Ambitions of governments and companies to introduce more reusable and recyclable packaging.

  Packaging must comply with the applicable laws and regulations. In recent years, the European Commission and the Dutch government have introduced new proposals, adopted directives and are implementing action programmes, among other things to increase the recyclability and reuse of packaging and to reduce the amount of waste. Keep informed of these developments so that you can respond to future legislation in a timely manner and thereby distinguish your company from other companies as a frontrunner in the field of sustainability. KIDV maintains an overview of changes in legislation and regulations, such as the new recycling targets, adjustments to the essential requirements for packaging and the approach to single-use plastics, and translates these developments into practice for packaging. This overview can be found here (only available in Dutch).
  
  KIDV has also developed recycle checks with which companies can assess for themselves whether a package is recyclable under the current system. These can be found here. 

Anyone who starts working with sustainable packaging will often quickly discover that there is more to it than just using less or different material. To develop successful sustainable packaging, you have to look at the packaging process and logistics, at customers’ purchasing and disposal behaviour, and at your company’s packaging and sustainability strategy. For more information and tips, visit the KIDV Five Perspectives on Sustainable Packaging.

Sustainable packaging is a spearhead for the Thuiswinkel.org sector organisation, which represents about 75 per cent of the e-commerce market. With the Sector Innovation Plan 2015-2018 Thuiswinkel.org already took major steps in making packaging materials more sustainable. The Sector Innovation Plan 2018-2020 takes further steps, also focusing on innovations in the field of sustainable packaging. KIDV was closely involved in drawing up the sector plans. The sector can make the most impact in the field of reduce, reuse and recycle.