At DOUGLAS DACH, we have switched from our iconic mint-colored B2C delivery boxes to natural brown packaging – and thus to a much more sustainable solution. Find out more about our green logistics initiative in the story.
Bold, colorful and a true eye-catcher – the mint-colored DOUGLAS boxes with beauty inside are well known. Although they have become somewhat of an icon, now was the time to change and switch to an eco-friendlier brown alternative.
This decision was a straightforward one – and it is more than just a visual change. With more than 11 million E-Com orders shipped to our customers in the DACH region during the financial year 2023/24, adopting sustainable packaging has a significant impact. This transition is a crucial step in our commitment to reducing our environmental footprint and minimizing the ecological impact of our operations and supply chain.
By refraining from printing the DOUGLAS boxes in the brand color mint, CO₂ emissions are reduced due to less processing and use of chemicals as well as water savings. The new B2C shipping boxes consist of the highest possible degree of recycled paper – 81% to 85%, depending on the individual size of the box. Due to EU regulation regarding the transport of fragrance and liquids, a certain share of virgin paper is required to protect shipping boxes from saturation and leakage of liquids in the case of damage or breakage.
Streamlined and eco-friendlier
Standard brown paper can be used for the production and there is no need to pre-color the paper for our boxes anymore. But there are more advantages, explains Kévin Mignon, VP Supply Chain Management DOUGLAS DACH: “By switching from mint to brown, we are also streamlining the production process further and ensure a better availability of the components of the parcels.”
The transition to new shipping boxes took the teams in the omnichannel logistics center in Hamm, North Rhine-Westphalia, quite some time: “We needed to adapt several hundred sensors in the warehouse to ensure that text on the new boxes was readable well, since the contrast between white, mint, and black differs greatly from that of our new boxes in brown with black color.”
Looking ahead
Sustainability is a journey that demands constant transformation, innovation, and dedication. The introduction of eco-friendly B2C shipping boxes supports our long-term vision of becoming more sustainable while continuing to provide the premium quality and service our customers know and expect from us. Together as a team, we at the DOUGLAS Group strive to make every day more beautiful – for our employees, for our customers and for the world around us.
