Leveraging Order Orchestration to Become More Sustainable

In an era where sustainability has become a paramount concern for businesses across the globe, finding innovative ways to reduce our environmental footprint is crucial. For ecommerce and retail companies, one often overlooked but highly impactful avenue for sustainability lies in order orchestration.

Order orchestration is the process of efficiently managing and optimizing orders, from the moment they are placed by customers to the point of fulfillment and delivery. By reimagining and optimizing this process, businesses can not only improve their operational efficiency but also contribute significantly to environmental sustainability. In this blog post, we will explore how leveraging order orchestration can lead to a more sustainable future.

1. Optimized Route Planning Reduces Carbon Footprint

One of the primary ways order orchestration contributes to sustainability is through optimized route planning for deliveries. By analyzing various factors such as fulfillment locations, delivery distances, and vehicle capacity, companies can create more efficient delivery routes. This means your products are stored closer to your customers in a network of distributed warehouses. This not only greatly reduces delivery times, it also reduces fuel consumption and therefore minimizes greenhouse gas emissions, ultimately decreasing carbon footprint.

2. Reduced Packaging Waste

Another significant aspect of order orchestration involves optimizing packaging. Efficient order grouping and packaging selection can lead to less material waste. Additionally, companies can implement eco-friendly packaging materials, further reducing their impact on the environment. 87% of consumers say that they are more likely to buy from companies that reduce their plastic use.

Here are a few types of eco-friendly packaging that you can incorporate into your business:

Paper and Card Mailers: Paper and card mailers are lightweight, recyclable, and often made from sustainable sources. These mailers provide a simple yet effective packaging solution for shipping goods, minimizing the use of plastic and promoting a more environmentally friendly approach to packaging.

Water Activated Tape: Water activated paper tape is an eco-friendly alternative to traditional plastic tape. When moistened, it adheres securely to cardboard boxes, providing a strong and recyclable sealing solution for packages. Its biodegradable nature makes it an excellent choice for sustainable packaging practices.

Plant-based Bioplastics: Bioplastics derived from renewable resources, such as cornstarch or sugarcane, offer a more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional petroleum-based plastics. They are biodegradable and help reduce reliance on fossil fuels.

Compostable Packaging: Compostable packaging is designed to break down into natural components when disposed of in a composting environment. Typically made from plant-based materials like cornstarch or sugarcane, this type of packaging offers a greener end-of-life option compared to non-biodegradable alternatives, reducing environmental impact.

Mushroom-Based Mycelium Packaging: Mushroom-based mycelium packaging is an innovative and biodegradable material made from the root system of fungi. It is molded into various shapes to create protective packaging for products. As a renewable resource, mycelium packaging offers a sustainable alternative to traditional packaging materials.

3. Sustainable Partner Selection

By partnering with logistics companies that align with sustainable values, you’ll be able to leverage eco-friendly solutions throughout your supply chain. Look for partners that have built in sustainable policies and accreditations such as built in waste management policies, carbon neutral certifications, an accountable sustainability strategy and B Corp certification to name a few.

4. Enhanced Customer Experience

Sustainability is not just about reducing environmental impact; it’s also about meeting customer expectations. Many consumers today prefer to support businesses that prioritize sustainability. By improving order accuracy, reducing delivery times, and minimizing waste, companies can enhance the overall customer experience and build loyalty among eco-conscious customers.

By optimizing delivery routes through order orchestration, reducing packaging waste, and partnering with logistics providers that share you and your customer’s sustainable values, businesses can significantly reduce their environmental footprint while also improving operational efficiency and customer satisfaction.

At Borderless360 our clients are capitalizing on strategic advantages to streamline their operations whilst benefiting from sustainable solutions. By having multiple warehouses across 7 different countries, orders come into one centralized global system that ensures your products closest to your customer are delivered efficiently, saving fuel, time, costs and the planet.

Here’s a breakdown example of how you can optimize your supply chain sustainably using the methods we’ve outlined in this article:

Want to chat to a logistics partner who can help optimize your supply chain and costs so you can tap into global markets, why not get in touch with Borderless360 today? Contact us.