Frustration-free packaging: the trend for e-commerce

Do you run an online shop? Then go for easy-to-open packaging, called “frustration free packaging”. Anyone who regularly shops online has probably already experienced this: unpacking a package is not always easy… Just think of excessive tape, a large crate that is difficult to handle or cubic metres of bubble wrap. And is all this packaging material environmentally friendly? Not really… With frustration-free packaging, there is no risk of irritation. We’ll show you, step by step, how to improve your customers’ experience.

1. From order to… irritation?

The'packaging has several functions. The most important of these is undoubtedly the protection of the goods, so that they arrive safely at the customer’s premises. However, the way you package products says a lot about your webshop and can make or break your reputation. Here is a short list of common problems:

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• The packaging is difficult to open, as it is surrounded by too much tape.
• The product ordered is shipped in a box that is too large, filled with cushioning material, resulting in increased household waste.
• Packaging is difficult to sort due to the simultaneous presence of different materials (e.g. plastic and paper stuck together).
• The products were damaged because they were in a box that was too fragile or not suitable.

2. What does frustration-free packaging look like?

Frustration-free packaging is often abbreviated as FFP, which stands for “Frustration Free Packaging”. FFP is a collective name for all kinds of smart, sustainable packaging solutions that address 3 factors:

• Improving the ease of opening the package.
• Promote sustainable and 100% recyclable packaging.
• Reduce waste by avoiding unnecessarily bulky packaging and cushioning.

For both crates and shipping pouches, there are “frustration-free” variants. Pouches are particularly useful for shipping non-fragile items such as clothing, fashion accessories, textiles, etc. Crates are a stronger envelope and suitable for almost any product. Ready for a life without frustration? The crate shown below has all the accessories and features that will avoid many of the usual annoyances experienced by customers.

• Easy to close: thanks to the adhesive strip, no additional tape is needed. This also saves packaging material.
• Easy to open: choose a version with a tear-off strip. The customer no longer needs scissors or a cutter.
• Compact: choose a box that wraps the goods as tightly as possible.
• Mono material: made from cardboard, a renewable resource. Complete the packaging with filler paper if necessary and the customer can sort it out with their paper waste.
• Resistant: choose a double-fluted cardboard box, lined with kraft paper for extra protection.

3. 5 criteria for frustration-free packaging

A few inexpensive interventions can easily adapt your packaging and make it “frustration-free”. The following 5 qualities detail what to focus on.

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► 1. Easy to open

How do you avoid the frustrations of unpacking? It’s simple! Make sure the package is easy to open. There’s nothing more annoying than a box wrapped with too much tape or strapping. By the way, did you know that there is packaging that does not require tape? These boxes or pouches can be easily closed with their integrated adhesive tape.

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tear-off tape“. The packaging can then be torn open with the same ease as a zip, without the use of scissors or a cutter. Convenient for the customer and safe for the goods, as the risk of damage is considerably reduced.

► 2. Compact packaging

Another way to get frustration-free packaging is to get rid of bulky boxes. Did you know that for about 60% of e-commerce orders, a quarter of the packaging is made up of cushioning products? A clever solution to this problem is the variable height crate. Thanks to the groove lines in the walls, you can easily adjust the height every 1 or 2.5 cm. Another solution is the shipping bag. You can use it for products that are already securely packed or for soft goods, such as textiles. Extract the air out of the bag and you get a 100% used package, with no voids.

► 3. Environmentally friendly

As we explained earlier, frustration-free packaging is not just about unpacking. The environment also plays an important role. Avoid burdening your customer with too much packaging material that is difficult to sort and/or recycle. Some tips:

• Opt for mono-materials: simplify the sorting process and choose packaging made entirely of one raw material. Take paper for example: use a box, cushioning, tape and a briefcase, all made of paper or cardboard. This allows the consumer to sort everything in one go. In addition, don’t forget to use logos or pictograms to clearly indicate how your packaging should be sorted.
• Opt for renewable materials: give preference to packaging made from renewable raw materials, such as paper and cardboard. This way you reduce the pressure on the consumption of raw materials.
• Opt for recycled materials: Do you use plastic? Then give preference to recycled materials. At RAJA, for example, you can find shipping bags, embossed paper and PET foam made from recycled plastic waste.

► 4. Solid

The fourth point of attention concerns the sturdiness of the packaging. If you use one that is too fragile, the goods may be damaged during transport. The consequence? An unhappy customer and a return at your expense. You could have easily avoided this problem by opting for frustration-free packaging. Depending on the price of the goods, the investment is worthwhile.

• A sturdy box made of double-fluted cardboard, or even triple-fluted cardboard. This offers better protection than a single-flute cardboard box. Good to know: the majority of RAJA crates are also lined with layer of kraft paper, hence extra protection.
• A shock-absorbing rim box; reinforced rims form a solid buffer to absorb shocks.
• A sturdy shipping bag made from recycled plastic; excellent tear and water resistance. Ideal for clothing and textiles.

► 5. Dare to choose less

Less is sometimes more… when it comes to packaging. If you didn’t already know this, you’ll be glad you did: be economical with packaging materials, for example by applying tape around the package intelligently and sparingly. You will avoid irritating the customer with a mountain of packaging waste. Read this article for the best way to do this. Or simply opt for a package with built-in tape, the roll of tape will be completely unnecessary.

The same savings apply to cushioning and protective materials, which are sometimes totally unnecessary, especially for less fragile products such as clothing, textiles, wood, plastic bottles, etc. Finally, consider customised packaging: crates for bottles, flowers or books, etc. Their unique design allows them to be perfectly adapted to this type of goods and does not require any additional protection inside the box. It’s proof that you can do more with less.

4. What are the benefits to your business?

Frustration-free packaging is a great way to improve and enhance customer relationships. And as the old marketing adage goes: a satisfied customer is a returning customer. With FFPs (Frustration Free Packaging), you offer these customers a pleasant, more convenient unpacking experience and recycling is made easier. However, the benefits go beyond the relationship with the customer. You will also find that FFP has a lot to offer your company in terms of logistics and the environment.

• Reduce costs:with more compact packaging, you need to buy less material.
• Reduce the number of returns: by choosing strong, customised packaging, you are less likely to have to deal with damaged products.
• Reduce your storage requirements and costs.
• Reduce greenhouse gas emissions: by choosing smaller packaging and renewable raw materials, you reduce the amount of packaging materials needed. This is good for your company’s green image!
• Reduce transport: by opting for more compact packaging, a single van can carry more packages.

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