[et_pb_section fb_built=\u201d1\u2033 _builder_version=\u201d4.16\u2033 global_colors_info=\u201d{}\u201d theme_builder_area=\u201dpost_content\u201d][et_pb_row _builder_version=\u201d4.16\u2033 background_size=\u201dinitial\u201d background_position=\u201dtop_left\u201d background_repeat=\u201drepeat\u201d global_colors_info=\u201d{}\u201d theme_builder_area=\u201dpost_content\u201d][et_pb_column type=\u201d4_4\u2033 _builder_version=\u201d4.16\u2033 custom_padding=\u201d|||\u201d global_colors_info=\u201d{}\u201d custom_padding__hover=\u201d|||\u201d theme_builder_area=\u201dpost_content\u201d][et_pb_heading title=\u201dKey takeaways\u201d _builder_version=\u201d4.27.6\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d theme_builder_area=\u201dpost_content\u201d title_level=\u201dh2\u2033 hover_enabled=\u201d0\u2033 sticky_enabled=\u201d0\u2033][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=\u201d4.27.6\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d theme_builder_area=\u201dpost_content\u201d hover_enabled=\u201d0\u2033 sticky_enabled=\u201d0\u2033]<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider _builder_version=\u201d4.27.6\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d theme_builder_area=\u201dpost_content\u201d hover_enabled=\u201d0\u2033 sticky_enabled=\u201d0\u2033][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text _builder_version=\u201d4.27.6\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d theme_builder_area=\u201dpost_content\u201d hover_enabled=\u201d0\u2033 sticky_enabled=\u201d0\u2033]<\/p>\n
Descartes Peoplevox\u2122<\/a> is in the business of helping brands build their reputation. Since sustainability is top of mind both for brands and their customers, and has been for a number of years now, we wanted to outline how we do our bit in the warehouse as a warehouse management system (WMS).<\/p>\n Here are tips for becoming more sustainable through the order management and fulfilment process, as well as a few shoutouts to some of our most dynamically green clients.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_heading title=\u201dTable of contents\u201d _builder_version=\u201d4.27.6\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d theme_builder_area=\u201dpost_content\u201d title_level=\u201dh3\u2033 hover_enabled=\u201d0\u2033 sticky_enabled=\u201d0\u2033][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=\u201d4.27.6\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d theme_builder_area=\u201dpost_content\u201d hover_enabled=\u201d0\u2033 sticky_enabled=\u201d0\u2033]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_heading title=\u201d1. Accurate order management = sustainable order management\u201d _builder_version=\u201d4.27.6\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d theme_builder_area=\u201dpost_content\u201d title_level=\u201dh3\u2033 hover_enabled=\u201d0\u2033 sticky_enabled=\u201d0\u2033 module_id=\u201dordermanagement\u201d][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=\u201d4.27.6\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d theme_builder_area=\u201dpost_content\u201d hover_enabled=\u201d0\u2033 sticky_enabled=\u201d0\u2033]<\/p>\n To get things started, there are some substantial reductions to your carbon footprint to be found by becoming a more accurate warehouse team who don\u2019t make mistakes. The big one is returns. If you are packing orders incorrectly, or sending the wrong items to the wrong customers, you are going to open the floodgates to a mass of returns.<\/p>\n This is a force multiplier of evil on the environment. You\u2019ve already shipped the order to the customer once, and now not only is the customer going to add to the impact by sending the item back to you, you are then going to add a third shipment to the carbon emission party by sending a replacement, hopefully correct, order. One wrong sized dress in a bag has tripled your carbon emissions through delivery alone.<\/p>\n How do you get more accurate? Double checking everything doesn\u2019t need to double the time it takes to get orders out. The Peoplevox way is to barcode every item, barcode every location, and let the system worry about remembering where everything is. All the team have to do is follow the simple instructions on a mobile device, taking them in the fastest logical route around the warehouse to pick and scan items.<\/p>\n Then at the dispatch area, we link the item barcode with the order, so scanning the item both checks that it is correct for that order, and automatically prints the right shipping documents and labels for that order. It\u2019s a super efficient, super accurate way of making sure every customer ends up delighted with the right items, and not threatening a return.<\/p>\n Moreover, those mobile devices your warehouse team are armed with replace paper picklists. From a stopping returns standpoint, getting rid of paper is a huge improvement. But from an environmental standpoint, getting rid of paper is massive! Printing 1,000s of sheets every day for single usage before they get scrapped is a resource drain that is genuinely avoidable. While rugged Android devices<\/a> do have that upfront manufacturing burden, they last for years and will transform your order management operation, removing the need for countless reams of paper.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_heading title=\u201d2. Use data to drive a more sustainable inventory strategy\u201d _builder_version=\u201d4.27.6\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d theme_builder_area=\u201dpost_content\u201d title_level=\u201dh2\u2033 hover_enabled=\u201d0\u2033 sticky_enabled=\u201d0\u2033 module_id=\u201ddata\u201d][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=\u201d4.27.6\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d theme_builder_area=\u201dpost_content\u201d hover_enabled=\u201d0\u2033 sticky_enabled=\u201d0\u2033]<\/p>\n If you can\u2019t pull together an accurate forecast for demand for an upcoming sales period or promotion, not only are you going to lose out financially, you\u2019re also going to open yourself up for unsustainable activity. On the one hand, you might order way too much of any one product from your supplier, and have it sitting in the warehouse going unsold, and potentially scrapped if it\u2019s a time sensitive product\/seasonal<\/a> style. The excess material, packaging, freight weight, cargo space etc all adds up as unnecessary excess.<\/p>\n The other side of the coin is just as bad. If you don\u2019t get enough product into your warehouse and then see a huge spike in demand for certain products, to cash in you\u2019re going to need to make a second order, doubling the transport impact, and maybe even more than doubling if that expedited rush to get the goods means flying it over rather than shipping.<\/p>\n If you can use the right tools and processes to truly understand your customers, your marketing campaigns and your inventory level requirements, it should be straightforward to buy and sell just the right amount of stock and keep things moving effectively, without rushed or unnecessary excessive shipping and spending.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_heading title=\u201d3. Sustainability starts with people\u201d _builder_version=\u201d4.27.6\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d theme_builder_area=\u201dpost_content\u201d hover_enabled=\u201d0\u2033 sticky_enabled=\u201d0\u2033 title_level=\u201dh2\u2033 module_id=\u201dpeople\u201d][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=\u201d4.27.6\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d theme_builder_area=\u201dpost_content\u201d hover_enabled=\u201d0\u2033 sticky_enabled=\u201d0\u2033]<\/p>\n While it\u2019s easier to think of huge, overarching strategies for this, oftentimes setting up a long time, big picture goal requires lots of small, incremental changes to behaviour at the individual level. This is particularly true of warehouses and order fulfilment operations, where you can have 100 or more people all working at the same time on a variety of tasks. Are all those people equipped to recycle? Remove any friction by making it as easy as possible.<\/p>\n You should have various recycling bins for plastics, cardboard, tape etc at goods-in, where the vast majority of packaging comes in and gets ripped open. You should also set up the recycling bins as part of the workflow at the pack stations. Item comes in, gets scanned, packaged, excess in bin, package labelled and onto the next station.<\/p>\n Do the people who work in the warehouse use plastic bottles? Can you provide them with a tap and a re-usable bottle, perhaps branded with the company logo and their name. This is what our friends at Lounge Underwear do with every employee, and they love it! They are fostering brand identity, a community feel of togetherness, employee satisfaction and more sustainable practices across the business.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_heading title=\u201d4. Learn from the best businesses in your niche\u201d _builder_version=\u201d4.27.6\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d theme_builder_area=\u201dpost_content\u201d title_level=\u201dh2\u2033 hover_enabled=\u201d0\u2033 sticky_enabled=\u201d0\u2033 module_id=\u201dniche\u201d][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=\u201d4.27.6\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d theme_builder_area=\u201dpost_content\u201d hover_enabled=\u201d0\u2033 sticky_enabled=\u201d0\u2033]<\/p>\n Over the last 15 years, we are proud to have worked with some of the brightest sparks in the direct to consumer<\/a> (D2C) industry, each of whom illuminate the way for other brands to work and grow in a more sustainable manner.<\/p>\n Discover how the right warehouse management system can help you reduce fulfilment errors, minimise waste, improve inventory accuracy, and create a better experience for your customers. Book a personalised Peoplevox demo to see how it works.<\/strong><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_text=\u201dTalk to us\u201d _builder_version=\u201d4.27.6\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d theme_builder_area=\u201dpost_content\u201d hover_enabled=\u201d0\u2033 sticky_enabled=\u201d0\u2033 button_alignment=\u201dcenter\u201d custom_margin=\u201d20px||20px||false|false\u201d url_new_window=\u201don\u201d button_url=\u201dhttps:\/\/www.peoplevox.com\/request-demo\/\u201d][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row admin_label=\u201dFAQs Section\u201d _builder_version=\u201d4.27.4\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d custom_margin=\u201d||||false|false\u201d custom_padding=\u201d||||false|false\u201d global_colors_info=\u201d{}\u201d theme_builder_area=\u201dpost_content\u201d][et_pb_column type=\u201d4_4\u2033 _builder_version=\u201d4.27.4\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d global_colors_info=\u201d{}\u201d theme_builder_area=\u201dpost_content\u201d][et_pb_divider _builder_version=\u201d4.27.4\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d global_colors_info=\u201d{}\u201d theme_builder_area=\u201dpost_content\u201d][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_heading title=\u201dWarehouse sustainability FAQs\u201d admin_label=\u201dHeading \u2013 FAQs\u201d _builder_version=\u201d4.27.6\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d title_level=\u201dh2\u2033 hover_enabled=\u201d0\u2033 global_colors_info=\u201d{}\u201d theme_builder_area=\u201dpost_content\u201d sticky_enabled=\u201d0\u2033 module_id=\u201dFAQs\u201d][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_accordion open_toggle_text_color=\u201d#134169\u2033 admin_label=\u201dFAQ Accordion\u201d _builder_version=\u201d4.27.6\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d toggle_text_color=\u201d#0055AA\u201d toggle_level=\u201dh3\u2033 hover_enabled=\u201d0\u2033 locked=\u201doff\u201d global_colors_info=\u201d{}\u201d theme_builder_area=\u201dpost_content\u201d sticky_enabled=\u201d0\u2033][et_pb_accordion_item title=\u201dHow can warehouse sustainability improve customer satisfaction?\u201d open=\u201don\u201d _builder_version=\u201d4.27.6\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d hover_enabled=\u201d0\u2033 global_colors_info=\u201d{}\u201d theme_builder_area=\u201dpost_content\u201d sticky_enabled=\u201d0\u2033]<\/p>\n Sustainable warehouse practices often lead to more accurate fulfilment, fewer returns, and more efficient operations. When customers receive the correct items on time and in good condition, it reduces frustration, builds trust, and supports long-term brand loyalty while also lowering environmental impact.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=\u201dWhat are the easiest sustainability improvements to make in a warehouse?\u201d _builder_version=\u201d4.27.6\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d hover_enabled=\u201d0\u2033 global_colors_info=\u201d{}\u201d theme_builder_area=\u201dpost_content\u201d open=\u201doff\u201d sticky_enabled=\u201d0\u2033]<\/p>\n Many businesses start with simple changes such as reducing paper-based processes, improving recycling programmes, switching to reusable packaging materials where possible, and using warehouse technology to minimise fulfilment errors. Small operational improvements can deliver meaningful environmental benefits over time.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=\u201dWhy is reducing returns important for sustainability?\u201d _builder_version=\u201d4.27.6\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d hover_enabled=\u201d0\u2033 global_colors_info=\u201d{}\u201d theme_builder_area=\u201dpost_content\u201d open=\u201doff\u201d sticky_enabled=\u201d0\u2033]<\/p>\n Every return creates additional transportation, packaging waste, and handling requirements. By improving order accuracy and ensuring customers receive the right products the first time, businesses can reduce unnecessary shipments and lower the carbon footprint associated with fulfilment and reverse logistics.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=\u201dHow can technology support a more sustainable warehouse operation?\u201d _builder_version=\u201d4.27.6\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d theme_builder_area=\u201dpost_content\u201d hover_enabled=\u201d0\u2033 sticky_enabled=\u201d0\u2033 open=\u201doff\u201d]<\/p>\n Technology helps businesses improve inventory visibility, optimise picking routes, reduce fulfilment errors, and make better purchasing decisions. With more accurate data and streamlined workflows, companies can reduce waste, avoid unnecessary shipments, and operate more efficiently while supporting sustainability goals.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][\/et_pb_accordion][et_pb_code _builder_version=\u201d4.27.6\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d theme_builder_area=\u201dpost_content\u201d hover_enabled=\u201d0\u2033 sticky_enabled=\u201d0\u2033]\n
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