Green Logistics for Green Beauty

Industry Expertise

30/05/2018 by The Red Tree

Green beauty is big business. A recent report by Grand View Research predicts that the organic beauty market is expected to reach 25.1 billion USD by 2025. That’s 9.5% CAGR over the forecasted period.

I am a huge fan of green beauty but as a logistics professional I do wonder exactly how green brands really are. The main focus of being ‘green’ seems to be around ingredients. When it comes to packaging and delivery I believe as an industry we have some serious work to do.

Importantly, our customers are starting to increasingly question our green credentials. 74% of shoppers “were worried – or said it was a big concern for them – about the impact their online shopping deliveries had on the environment.” (MetaPack 2017 State Of eCommerce Delivery Consumer Research Report) The rise of the conscientious shopper who is ethically motivated and environmentally aware means brands need to take a long hard look at exactly how green they are. Consumers are looking to engage and buy from companies who are transparent, honest and open about all aspects of their business.

What exactly is ‘green logistics’?

Put simply it means any and all attempts to measure and minimise the ecological impact of your logistics activities. Everything from procurement, packaging, inventory management, warehousing, fulfilment, distribution, reverse logistics and disposal logistics.

What can you do to boost your green creds?

1. Avoid same day deliveries – they are the least green delivery option out there. Having said to avoid them, there are a growing number of green same day delivery companies who use electric vehicles or bikes to make their deliveries.

2. Use your national postal service – your national postal service has vehicles out visiting most houses and businesses every day and so from a green perspective it makes sense to utilise this already existing network.

3. Audit your delivery partners – When you are choosing which delivery partners to work with audit their green credentials? Do your research and make informed choices to work with companies who reflect your brands environmental commitment.

4. Reduce your packaging and make sure any packaging you do use is recycled or recyclable – we live in an age when the unboxing experience has become a beauty phenomenon however sometime soon unboxing will become a beauty negative. It’s time for brands to combine wow factor with a commitment to the environment.

I have provided a small selection of ways you can address the environmental impact of your logistics and become a truly green brand. All research indicates that green logistics will thankfully grow in importance so expect to see more research published and more delivery innovation in the near future.

As an industry that leads the way in the green arena and that’s packed with courageous ethical founders we are in the perfect position to influence change. Here’s to a greener, brighter future for beauty and beyond!

Rachel Whittaker is a beauty logistics expert with nearly 20 years experience who is passionate about the success and growth of indie beauty. Her company Indie Beauty Delivers exists to empower beautypreneurs to create disruptive brands by providing them with the resources and inspiration to thrive.

The Red Tree is the UK’s leading international beauty brand consultancy and a powerhouse of ideas, insight and inspiration. For an informal discussion on how we might help you, please contact us.