Olive helps reduce waste from e-commerce

 

All is great with online shopping, except one problem that is becoming significantly important: the waste generated from packages. Indeed, the growing number of cardboard boxes, bubble wrap and sticky tapes are causing much harm to the environment and with the increase in e-commerce, the impact will be bigger. That is why Olive has come up with a solution.

This start-up is founded by Nate Faust, avid online shopper, former head of Walmart’s U.S. e-commerce supply chain and co-founder of Jet. He realised the amount of waste generated and decided to introduce a greener solution via a circular shipping venture. How does the system work? First they have to sign up, which is free. Then, whenever they are shopping, a browser extension or a mobile app will send them a pop-up notification to let them know that they are buying from a seller that has partnered with Olive. After that, when checking out, they will be able to choose their ‘Olive address’. This is their nearest distribution hub where products are consolidated and sent out in reusable cardboard-free “shippers” and delivered to customers on a weekly basis.

Thanks to Olive, shopping online will mean fewer mail carrier trips, individual cardboard boxes, plastic bags, bubble wrap, etc. and less carbon emission. Its website advances, “One day, we aim to completely eliminate single-use packaging”.

Olive promotes sustainability © Royalty-free image.