The model of wealth generation based on the exploitation of natural resources with the sole and exclusive objective of generating profit for the shareholder, which has prevailed in society over the last centuries, has already begun to show signs of exhaustion. The serious environmental and social problems that are so evident and frequently reported are unequivocal examples of this. In this context, the search for more sustainable initiatives can be found in several segments and logistics could not be different.
The operations and logistics area is directly impacted by aspects related to sustainability, since it is an area that consumes a lot of fossil fuel, in order to be able to move products, and uses a lot of packaging, to move products in a unitized way . The potential of sustainable practices in logistics is enormous and many still bring financial return, such as translucent roofs in warehouses to reduce energy consumption (eg: Walmart eco-efficient DC) and reducing the size of packages to save on transport (read the post da Maria Fernanda to know some examples).
This post aims to list some sustainable initiatives in protective packaging, which are gaining more and more importance with the increase in demand for e-commerce and conscious consumption. These initiatives were implemented by Google Shopping, a new American Market Place where consumers can buy directly from the Google platform without going through the virtual store of the person offering the product.
Google Shopping has a department dedicated to sustainable packaging research. The main initiatives were presented during a visit to Google during the US International Logistics Mission 2019.
The first type of packaging presented was a cardboard box called Smart Karton with height adjustment and an inner paper, glued to the sides of the box, with the function of fixing the product inside the box. The inner paper fulfills the same function as the air cushions made of plastic by preventing the products inside the box from bumping. This alternative is much more sustainable, since paper has a degradation time of about 6 months and plastic from 100 to 400 years. In addition, the packaging process is more efficient as there is no need to fill the plastic pads or peel them off to fill the box. In one or two movements, it is possible to contour the product with the inner paper, quickly fixing it inside the box. The height adjustment on the lid of the box also allows better fixation of the product, in addition to adjusting the size of the box, reducing the space taken up during transport. In this way, it is possible to be more sustainable and still save on shipping. This cardboard box with height adjustment and inner paper with dimensions of 25,4 x 20,3 x 15,2 cm costs US$ 15 for 25 units at the American supplier http://thesustainablesuite.com/.
A very interesting solution that also replaces plastic with paper is Hexcel Wrap. This solution is made up of a paper with small cuts that, when pulled from the roll, which is fixed in a machine with pressure regulation, gains a cushioning texture capable of replacing bubble wrap.
It is not always possible to replace plastic with paper, as the impermeability function of plastic can be essential for packaging liquid products or those with a risk of leaking, for example. In this case, the solution found by Google was biodegradable plastics, which have a decomposition time of two years. Here in Brazil, we have the example of Mercado Livre, which incorporated biocompostable packaging in its logistics operation, investing US$ 1,2 million in this initiative (learn more about the case of Mercado Livre here)
Sustainable packaging options are still more expensive than regular options. This difference tends to reduce as they become more popular. However, you have to do the full math including the environmental impact and greater efficiency in the packaging process. Considering the total cost of these alternatives, sustainable options certainly come out ahead, tending to be, very soon, the most used option.
Sources:
Visit to Google held at US International Logistics Mission 2019
Beatris Huber
https://ilos.com.brManaging Partner of ILOS, Master in Business Administration from COPPEAD/UFRJ with extension at the European Business School – EBS, Germany and Business Administration from UFRJ. More than 10 years of experience in training and consulting projects, focusing on Logistics and Supply Chain. In the training area, he developed company games and online courses and today teaches classes in Data Analysis, Inventory Management, Warehousing Management, in addition to applying business games such as Beer Game in open and in-company programs in companies from different segments, such as Coca -Cola, Nestlé, ThyssenKrupp, Votorantim, Carrefour, Mallinkrodt, Souza Cruz, Via Varejo, Monsanto, Itaú, Renner, Ipiranga, among others. In consultancy, he carried out projects such as Redefinition of the Logistics Network, Inventory Management, S&OP Process Structuring and Diagnosis of Storage and Transport Operations in companies such as Coca-Cola, Souza Cruz, Editora Moderna, Petrobras, Ducoco, Ultragaz, Silimed, Eudora among others.
