Why sustainable fulfilment matters now
Sustainability is no longer a nice-to-have, but an expectation. Customers want to know how products are manufactured, packaged and shipped – and prefer brands that take responsibility. This is where sustainable fulfilment comes into play. Logistics not only determines delivery times, but also the ecological footprint of your shop.
Environmentally friendly shipping, recyclable packaging and well-designed warehousing processes have a direct impact on CO₂ emissions and resource consumption. Companies that adopt sustainable fulfilment structures early on not only gain an image advantage, but also reduce costs and returns.
Sustainable practices have long been part of the brand promise, particularly in the e-commerce segments of fashion, lifestyle, beauty and health. Fulfilment is not a side issue here, but rather a lever for real change – strategic, visible and effective.
Facts and figures about parcel shipping in Germany
In 2024, around 4.29 billion courier, express and parcel shipments (CEP) were delivered in Germany, representing growth of around 2.8 per cent compared to the previous year and reflecting the historical trend of rising parcel volumes in e-commerce. This corresponds to an average of around 11.7 million parcels per day in Germany. (Source: Logistics Alliance Germany)
Each of these shipments generates CO₂ emissions during the transport process. According to a study on the environmental sustainability of online retail, the delivery of a parcel, including all relevant logistics steps, generates an average of approximately 866 g CO₂ equivalent per parcel. In scenarios with optimised, more climate-friendly delivery processes, these values can be reduced to around 408 g CO₂ in certain cases. (Source: BEVH E-Commerce Verband)
If this average value is extrapolated to the whole year, the result is a carbon footprint of several million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent for parcel shipping within Germany alone. This underlines the importance of strategies for sustainable fulfilment, sustainable shipping and environmentally friendly shipping in order to reduce emissions and conserve resources.
What does sustainable fulfilment actually mean?
Sustainable fulfilment encompasses all logistics processes in e-commerce that are specifically geared towards environmental compatibility and resource conservation. This ranges from the selection of packaging materials and warehouse logistics to shipping and the handling of returns.
Unlike traditional logistics, this is not just about efficiency, but also about responsibility. If you want to ship sustainably, you have to keep an eye on the big picture: Where does the packaging material come from? How is it stored? What means of transport are used? And how can all of this be improved in a measurable way?
Transparency requirements are also increasing. Customers want to see that brands are not just talking about sustainability, but are consistently implementing it – from the shop to their front door. An environmentally friendly shipping process is more than just an ecological statement. It strengthens your brand and builds trust.
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Tip 1: Think sustainably when it comes to packaging
Packaging is the first physical point of contact with your brand and the most obvious lever for greater sustainability. Sustainable fulfilment is not about sacrificing aesthetics, but about making more conscious decisions. Recyclable or compostable materials, plastic-free fillers and FSC-certified cardboard are the new standard for brands with a conscience.
Shipping without unnecessary outer packaging also helps to save resources. When box sizes are precisely tailored to product dimensions, less air is transported, which reduces volume, shipping costs and CO₂ emissions at the same time.
Important: Your packaging should be sustainable and contribute to the brand experience at the same time. Whether branded stickers, high-quality paper ribbons or personalised inserts – you can make an impact without harming the environment. It just depends on using the right materials and clever implementation.
Tip 2: Make shipping low-carbon
Shipping is one of the biggest sources of emissions in e-commerce. That is why it is crucial to make this process as environmentally friendly as possible. If you want to ship sustainably, you should work with shipping providers that offer climate-friendly options. These include programmes such as DHL GoGreen, DPD Total Zero and UPS Carbon Neutral, which offset or reduce emissions.
Another approach is to bundle orders. Shipping multiple products together saves on packaging material and delivery routes and avoids unnecessary emissions. Delayed collective shipping options can also be offered if customers want to make more sustainable purchases.
It is also worth taking a look at the last mile. Local delivery services, electric vehicles and the integration of pick-up stations all contribute to making the shipping process more environmentally friendly. Sustainability does not begin with the packaging, but rather with the shipping label.
Tip 3: Manage returns smartly
Every return shipment costs not only money but also resources. Packaging, transport, storage space and sometimes even disposal have an impact on the environment. Anyone who is committed to sustainable fulfilment should therefore ensure in advance that as few products as possible are returned.
This starts with the product presentation in the shop. Detailed descriptions, material specifications, size charts and instructions for use help to avoid mispurchases. Intelligent tools such as digital size guides or skin type analyses for cosmetics can further reduce the return rate.
If a return does occur, how it is handled is crucial. Products should be checked, cleaned and, if possible, made resalable. This prevents waste and keeps goods in circulation. A well-thought-out returns management system not only saves CO₂, but also improves the customer experience and strengthens your brand in the long term.
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Tip 4: Optimise warehouse processes
Sustainability does not begin with shipping, but rather in the warehouse. Those who organise their warehouse logistics efficiently and in a resource-saving manner save energy, reduce errors and minimise waste. For truly sustainable fulfilment, it is worthwhile to critically examine all processes.
An energy-efficient warehouse with LED lighting, intelligent heating or cooling technology and green electricity forms the basis. Added to this are short distances for order picking, digitally controlled picking routes and automated inventory management. All of this reduces energy consumption and unnecessary material movements.
Overproduction is also a key issue in warehousing. Analysing and optimising inventory with smart systems prevents goods from becoming obsolete or unsold. This reduces warehouse losses and ensures that products end up where they are needed – with your customers.
Tip 5: Use IT and automation wisely
Digital processes are a key lever for greater sustainability in logistics. Smart IT systems not only enable more precise control, but also reduce errors, material usage and returns. Those who automate fulfilment and think in a data-driven way not only increase efficiency, but also improve their environmental footprint.
A key example is automated inventory planning. Intelligent forecasts optimise the flow of goods, prevent overstocking and reduce delivery bottlenecks. This lowers energy consumption and saves storage space. Packaging can also be automated and adapted to the size of the product in question – resulting in less filling material and smaller shipping packages.
Furthermore, well-designed system integration improves communication along the entire supply chain. From the web shop to the last mile, every step becomes transparent, measurable and therefore controllable. Those who think this way turn sustainable fulfilment into a digital strength – not a compromise.
Tip 6: Make supply chains transparent
A fulfilment process is only as sustainable as the supply chain behind it. That is why it is crucial to keep an eye not only on your own warehouse and shipping, but also on the origin of your products, materials and partner companies. Transparency along the entire supply chain creates trust – both internally and externally.
Sustainable logistics begins with the selection of manufacturers. Are the materials used environmentally sound? Are labour standards being adhered to? Are there any CO₂-intensive intermediate steps that can be avoided? By taking a close look at these issues, you can make your supply chains more environmentally friendly step by step.
Customers today also want more transparency. They want to know where a product comes from, how it was packaged and how it got to their doorstep. Companies that communicate openly instead of engaging in greenwashing strengthen their brand in the long term. Honest sustainability works – especially when it is transparent.
Tip 7: Make sustainability measurable
Sustainability is only credible if it can be proven. Anyone who is serious about sustainable fulfilment should regularly check how big their ecological footprint actually is. Only what is measured can be improved – and only what is documented creates trust.
Key figures include CO₂ emissions per order, return rates, material consumption and the proportion of recycled packaging. This data helps to identify potential for optimisation and make progress visible. Internal audits and external certifications such as ISO 14001 and the EcoVadis rating can also point the way forward.
The important thing here is not perfection, but progress. Those who talk transparently about their goals and disclose what they are working on build trust – among customers, partners and investors. Sustainability does not end with shipping. It begins with attitude and becomes visible in figures.
What Moodja does for sustainable fulfilment
At Moodja, sustainability is not just mentioned on the website, but is evident in every detail of our fulfilment processes. From our climate-friendly location to our green packaging, we focus on solutions that really make a difference. Our goal is to take responsibility together with our customers – transparently, measurably and effectively.
Our new all-in-one location meets the gold standard of the German Sustainable Building Council and is powered entirely by green electricity from Green Planet Energy. For our fulfilment services, we offer environmentally friendly packaging options such as recycled cardboard boxes, vegan paper tape and filling material made from certified recycled paper. We also use recycled stretch film for B2B shipping.
In addition, we are drawing up a comprehensive carbon footprint analysis in order to specifically reduce greenhouse gas emissions and actively contribute to the 1.5-degree target. With electric cars and our own charging stations on the company premises, short distances in Berlin-Brandenburg and a focus on regional partnerships, we are strengthening local value creation – both ecologically and socially.
As a partner, we offer more than just logistics. We think ahead, advise on an equal footing and actively support our customers in implementing their sustainability goals. This turns sustainable fulfilment into a real competitive advantage.
‘Sustainability should not be a marketing promise, but must become part of every logistical detail. At MOODJA, we see sustainable fulfilment not as a trend, but as a responsibility – towards our customers, partners and the future.’ - David Bender, Managing Director of MOODJA
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Conclusion: Sustainable fulfilment as a competitive advantage
Sustainability in e-commerce is no longer an add-on, but a decisive factor for trust, customer loyalty and future viability. Those who act consciously not only take on ecological responsibility, but also strengthen their own brand. The seven tips show how sustainable fulfilment can be implemented in practice – from packaging to system integration.
Sustainable shipping means conserving resources, reducing emissions and thinking holistically about processes. This benefits not only the environment and society, but also your customers. More and more people are making conscious purchasing decisions – and remaining loyal to brands that take responsibility.
MOODJA is at your side as your boutique partner. We combine well-thought-out logistics with smart tools, short distances and genuine values. For fulfilment that feels good – for you and for tomorrow.
