Packaging Matters: The Environmental Impact of Ecommerce Deliveries

Ecommerce has transformed the way we shop. It’s also reshaped how we think about ecommerce deliveries. Every parcel shipped contributes to a brand’s carbon footprint, and increasingly, customers are looking for companies that deliver more sustainably.

At Lil Packaging, we believe packaging isn’t just a box around a product, it’s a statement of environmental intent. Here’s how paper-based, recyclable packaging can help curb waste and meet consumer expectations for responsible ecommerce deliveries.

Plastic packaging has long been the go-to for ecommerce deliveries due to its lightweight, durable, and cost-effective properties. But its environmental cost is becoming harder to ignore.

According to Defra data reported by Argus Media, the UK generated around 2.26 million tonnes of plastic packaging waste in 2023, but only 1.19 million tonnes were recycled - a rate of just 52.5%. Meanwhile, the UK’s overall packaging recycling rate (including paper, glass, metal, and wood) was higher, at around 64.8%.

Provisional data suggests this figure has stalled or even declined, highlighting an urgent issue: plastic recycling is struggling to keep pace with growing waste. Much of the material sent for “recycling” still ends up incinerated or in landfill due to contamination, mixed plastics, or lack of infrastructure.

In short, plastic remains far harder to recycle effectively than renewable materials like paper or board.

Legislation is accelerating the shift. The UK Plastic Packaging Tax (PPT) now charges £217.85 per tonne for plastic packaging containing less than 30% recycled content.

The government’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme also makes producers financially responsible for the collection and recycling of packaging used in ecommerce deliveries.

These measures signal clearly: the packaging landscape is moving toward accountability and circular design.

Switching to recyclable, paper-based packaging offers measurable environmental gains for ecommerce deliveries.

1. Circular by Design

Paper and board fit naturally into established recycling systems. A cardboard box used in ecommerce deliveries can typically be recycled up to seven times, supporting a genuine circular economy rather than a single-use system.

2. Plastic-Free = Pollution-Free

Unlike plastic, paper packaging doesn’t break down into microplastics or persist for centuries. It biodegrades safely, leaving behind no harmful residue.

3. Built for Reuse

Well-designed paper packaging can handle multiple trips. Lil Packaging’s strong, FSC®-certified board and easy reseal design mean one box can serve both outbound and return ecommerce deliveries, cutting waste and resource use.

4. Smarter Material Efficiency

Lightweight, high-strength paperboard can potentially replace composite or multi-layer packaging, reducing plastic and embodied carbon across millions of ecommerce deliveries.

Sustainability isn’t just an environmental goal. It’s a customer expectation.

According to McKinsey’s 2025 EU report on “Sustainability in Packaging”, European consumers place the highest value on recyclability and reusability when judging whether packaging is sustainable. These “circularity factors” consistently outrank other claims like carbon neutrality or compostability.

Additional insights include:

- Consumers are willing to pay more for sustainable packaging, particularly among Gen Z and millennials.

- Products with sustainability claims grew 28% faster than those without, over five years.

- For many shoppers, packaging is an indicator of brand integrity - a visible cue of whether a company performs responsible ecommerce deliveries.

For ecommerce brands, switching to recyclable, paper-based materials isn’t just an operational upgrade. It’s a strategic move that builds trust and loyalty.

Imagine two ecommerce retailers Brand A and Brand B, each shipping 100,000 parcels annually.

If your business still uses plastic or mixed-material packaging for ecommerce deliveries, it’s time to rethink.

1. Audit materials - Identify plastic or unrecyclable components.
2. Switch to recyclable paper options
3. Design for reuse - Durable, easy to reseal boxes handle multiple trips.
4. Educate customers - Clear printed instructions increase recycling rates.
5. Partner wisely - Work with suppliers like Lil Packaging who prioritise sustainability.

Every parcel is an opportunity to re-think your packaging, reduce plastic waste, and strengthen your brand.

The environmental impact of ecommerce deliveries starts with your choice of packaging. Paper-based, recyclable, return-ready solutions prevent plastic pollution, and meet the expectations of environmentally conscious customers.

At Lil Packaging, we provide durable, efficient, and sustainable options - making every ecommerce delivery an opportunity to do good for the planet and your brand.

Because in 2025 and beyond, packaging matters more than ever.