Examples of Sustainable Packaging for E-commerce: 3 Practical Examples That Actually Work

Let’s start with the most boring-looking, high-impact move: using right-sized packaging instead of one-size-fits-all boxes. It doesn’t photograph well on social media, but it absolutely shows up on your shipping bill and your sustainability report.

When people ask for examples of sustainable packaging for e-commerce: 3 practical examples, right-sized shipping should always be on the list because it hits three big levers at once:

• Less material used per order
• Lower dimensional weight (so lower shipping costs)
• Fewer void fillers like air pillows and packing peanuts

Real-world examples include:

Example 1: Amazon’s “Ships in Product Packaging” and frustration-free packaging
Amazon has pushed thousands of brands into right-sized, frustration-free packaging that can ship without an extra outer box. Their own sustainability report notes packaging weight per shipment has dropped significantly since 2015 as they cut out unnecessary boxes and fillers. While Amazon is hardly the poster child for low-impact everything, this is a clear, large-scale example of sustainable packaging for e-commerce in practice.

Example 2: ThirdLove’s adjustable mailer boxes
Lingerie brand ThirdLove redesigned its packaging to use slimmer, right-sized mailer boxes that fit more units per pallet. The result: less cardboard, lower freight emissions per product, and fewer damaged returns. This is a simple but powerful example of how a brand can optimize size without sacrificing branding.

Example 3: Small brands using on-demand box cutters and box-sizing tools
Plenty of mid-size warehouses now use low-tech tools—like adjustable box cutters or scoring devices—to trim down standard boxes to fit smaller orders. This doesn’t require new SKUs, just a process tweak. One 2023 case study from a US 3PL reported a 15–20% reduction in corrugated use after adopting box resizing for partial orders.

From a sustainability lens, this aligns with the EPA’s waste management hierarchy, which prioritizes waste prevention over recycling. You’re not just recycling more boxes—you’re using fewer in the first place. (See the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s guidance on source reduction here: https://www.epa.gov/smm/sustainable-management-materials-non-hazardous-materials-and-waste-management-hierarchy)

How to copy this in your own operation

If you want your own examples of sustainable packaging for e-commerce to start paying off quickly, right-sizing is low-hanging fruit:

• Audit your most common order combinations and map them to the smallest practical mailer or box.
• Introduce at least one padded paper mailer size to replace small-box-plus-void-filler setups.
• Train packers to choose the smallest container that actually protects the product—no more “just grab the medium box for everything.”

This is not glamorous, but if you track corrugated use per order and shipping cost per order, you’ll see the difference within a quarter.

2. Recycled, recyclable, and compostable materials: the best examples for quick wins

When people talk about the best examples of sustainable packaging for e-commerce, they’re usually thinking about materials: recycled cardboard, paper mailers, compostable films, and so on. The trick is to pick materials that are actually recyclable or compostable where your customers live, not just in lab conditions.

Examples of sustainable packaging for e-commerce using recycled content

Example 4: 100% recycled corrugated boxes with minimal ink
Many e-commerce brands now use FSC-certified or 100% recycled content corrugated boxes with one-color printing. This reduces virgin fiber demand and makes the box easier to recycle. The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) provides standards and certification for responsibly sourced paper and cardboard (see: https://fsc.org/en).

Example 5: Poly mailers with high post-consumer recycled (PCR) content
If you ship soft goods like apparel, you may still need plastic mailers. A practical, lower-impact option is a mailer made from 60–100% post-consumer recycled plastic that is curbside recyclable where #2 or #4 plastics are accepted. Several major apparel brands have shifted to PCR mailers to cut virgin plastic use by tens of tons per year.

Examples include compostable and paper-based alternatives

Example 6: Compostable mailers (where infrastructure exists)
Some smaller brands use certified compostable mailers made from plant-based films. These can work well in cities with commercial composting, but they’re not a magic fix. If your customers don’t have access to composting, most of these bags still end up in landfills. If you go this route, be transparent about what “compostable” really means and link to guidance like the US Composting Council (https://www.compostingcouncil.org/).

Example 7: Padded paper mailers instead of bubble mailers
Paper-based padded mailers—using shredded paper or honeycomb structures for cushioning—are a strong example of sustainable packaging for e-commerce because they’re widely recyclable with cardboard in most US municipal systems. They replace laminated plastic-and-paper mailers that often can’t be recycled at all.

The 2024–2025 trend: recyclability and clear labeling

Across the US and EU, regulations are tightening around packaging recyclability and labeling. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) laws and stricter labeling rules are pushing brands toward packaging that is:

• Clearly labeled as recyclable, compostable, or reusable
• Compatible with existing curbside systems
• Documented with actual data, not greenwashed claims

The EPA’s Sustainable Materials Management resources (https://www.epa.gov/smm) highlight the importance of designing packaging for recyclability and accurate consumer information. That’s where your examples of sustainable packaging for e-commerce should be heading: clear, honest, and compatible with real-world infrastructure.

3. Reusable and refill systems: the most ambitious examples of sustainable packaging for e-commerce

Now for the big swing: reusable and refillable packaging. These are the most ambitious examples of sustainable packaging for e-commerce: 3 practical examples here show how different sectors are experimenting with loops instead of linear “ship-use-trash” flows.

Example 8: Reusable mailers in fashion and rental services

Some apparel rental and resale platforms use reusable poly mailers that can withstand 20–30 shipping cycles. Customers receive their order in a reusable bag, remove a tear-off strip, and send returns back in the same mailer.

The sustainability math works best when:

• Return rates are high (rental, try-before-you-buy)
• The same customer places repeat orders
• Logistics partners can manage the reverse logistics without huge extra emissions

A 2022–2023 wave of pilots showed that reusable mailers can cut packaging waste significantly, but only if reuse rates stay high and transportation distances for returns are reasonable. Otherwise, you’re just moving the impact from materials to transport.

Example 9: Refill pouches for home and personal care

Refill systems are among the most promising real examples of sustainable packaging for e-commerce in 2024–2025. Think:

• Concentrated cleaners shipped in small pouches or tablets
• Shampoo and body wash refills in lightweight pouches that refill a durable bottle
• Laundry detergent sheets instead of plastic jugs

The environmental upside is clear:

• Less plastic per use
• Lower shipping weight and volume
• Fewer rigid containers in the waste stream

The EPA’s data on municipal solid waste shows that containers and packaging still make up a large share of what Americans throw away each year (see: https://www.epa.gov/facts-and-figures-about-materials-waste-and-recycling/containers-and-packaging-product-specific). Refill models directly attack that problem by stretching the life of each primary container.

Example 10: Durable primary packaging with long-life components

Some brands ship products in durable, display-ready containers—like glass jars or metal tins—that are meant to be reused at home. E-commerce then focuses on shipping refills:

• Coffee and tea in reusable tins with paper refill bags
• Skincare in glass jars with refill pods or pouches
• Spices and pantry staples in jars refilled from lightweight pouches

This model shows up again and again in the best examples of sustainable packaging for e-commerce because it aligns with how people actually behave: they’re more willing to reuse something that looks good on the counter than a flimsy plastic tub.

How to choose the right examples of sustainable packaging for your e-commerce brand

At this point, we’ve covered more than 3 practical examples—we’ve looked at right-sized boxes, recycled and compostable materials, reusable mailers, refill pouches, and durable containers. The question is: which ones should you copy?

A practical way to decide:

• Start with right-sizing and material upgrades (Examples 1–7). These have the fastest payback and minimal behavior change for your customers.
• Layer in refill and reuse pilots (Examples 8–10) where you have loyal, repeat buyers and predictable reorder patterns.
• Measure everything: material weight per order, damage rates, shipping cost per order, and customer feedback.

If you want your own examples of sustainable packaging for e-commerce to stand up to scrutiny, keep three filters in mind:

1. Real-world recyclability or reuse – Can your customers actually do what the label says, given typical US municipal systems?
2. Total system impact – Are you shifting impact from plastic to transport, or from packaging to product damage?
3. Clear communication – Do customers know what to do with the packaging, without needing a PhD in materials science?

This is where linking to credible resources helps. For example, you can point customers to the EPA’s recycling basics page (https://www.epa.gov/recycle/recycling-basics) for general guidance, and then add brand-specific instructions on your product pages and packing inserts.

FAQ: Real examples of sustainable packaging for e-commerce

What are some simple examples of sustainable packaging for e-commerce I can start with this quarter?

The simplest examples include switching to right-sized boxes, using padded paper mailers instead of bubble mailers for small items, and upgrading to 100% recycled corrugated with minimal printing. You can also replace plastic void fill with shredded cardboard or paper and start using PCR plastic mailers for soft goods.

What is an example of sustainable packaging that works for small brands with tight budgets?

A very realistic example of sustainable packaging for e-commerce is a basic kraft mailer or box made from recycled content, plus a single-color logo. It’s affordable, widely recyclable, and doesn’t require custom tooling. Pair it with a clear recycling message printed inside the flap so customers know exactly what to do with it.

Are compostable mailers really a better example of sustainable packaging for e-commerce than recycled plastic?

It depends on where your customers live and what infrastructure they have. In cities with commercial composting and strong consumer awareness, certified compostable mailers can be a strong option. In many US suburbs, though, a high-PCR plastic mailer that can be recycled where #2 or #4 films are accepted may be more realistic. The best examples of sustainable packaging for e-commerce are the ones that work in the real world, not just in marketing copy.

How many times do reusable mailers need to be used to be a good example of sustainable packaging?

Most life-cycle assessments suggest that reusable mailers need to be used at least 5–10 times to start outperforming single-use mailers from a carbon and materials perspective, and often more than that to clearly win. So reusable systems are best for categories with high return rates or frequent repeat orders, like apparel rental or subscription boxes.

Where can I find more data to back up my sustainable packaging decisions?

For US-focused data, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is a strong starting point for packaging and recycling statistics (https://www.epa.gov/facts-and-figures-about-materials-waste-and-recycling). For forestry and paper sourcing, look at the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) (https://fsc.org/en). For composting standards and infrastructure, the US Composting Council (https://www.compostingcouncil.org/) offers guidance and industry insights.

If you take nothing else from these examples of sustainable packaging for e-commerce: 3 practical examples and beyond, remember this: you don’t need a perfect zero-waste system to make meaningful progress. Start with right-sizing, better materials, and honest communication. Then, once those are working, experiment with refills and reusables where they make sense for your customers and your margins.