Six in 10 adults wouldn't mind receiving certain online deliveries - without additional packaging

Many adults say they'd be happy for certain parcels to arrive packaging free - with just the labelMany adults say they'd be happy for certain parcels to arrive packaging free - with just the label
Many adults say they'd be happy for certain parcels to arrive packaging free - with just the label | Shuttershock
Are you a private purchaser or a bold buyer?

This fun quiz tests how willing you are to have online orders delivered without additional packaging.

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Receiving parcels unboxed - with only an address label attached - uses less resources.

But are you proud enough of your purchases to let your neighbours see what’s being delivered?

As items from pet food and tennis rackets to underwear and condoms move along the conveyer belt - simply swipe left or right to signal what you would andwouldn't want additional packaging for.

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At the end of the game, you'll know if you are more of a private purchaser, preferring to cover up your online orders, or a bold buyer, who doesn’t needtheir items to be concealed.

The game comes as a study of 2,000 online shoppers found six in 10 adults would be happy for their online deliveries to arrive without added delivery packaging if it means reducing their environmental impact.

The research reveals items people would be happy to arrive packaging free - with just a postage label applied - include pet products, sports equipment,gardening items and clothing.

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While condoms, haemorrhoid cream or sanitary items are among the items people would be less happy to have delivered bare.

Six in 10 adults wouldn't mind receiving certain online deliveries without all the extra packagingSix in 10 adults wouldn't mind receiving certain online deliveries without all the extra packaging
Six in 10 adults wouldn't mind receiving certain online deliveries without all the extra packaging | SWNS

Reducing environmental waste

The research was commissioned by Amazon, whose director of packaging innovation, Justine Mahler, said: “People really care about reducing packaging, and we’ve made significant progress doing so for years.

“But we want to eliminate packaging altogether, working with manufacturers to design packaging that’s capable of shipping safely, without additional paper bags, envelopes or boxes.

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“We’ve already achieved a lot, increasing the number of orders shipped to customers with no added delivery packaging in the UK by more than 50 per cent since 2021.

“Sending an item without additional packaging reduces packaging weight and carbon emissions, so it’s a win all-round.”

The study also found 56 per cent of adults consider it important that packaging they do receive is recyclable with the rest of their household waste.

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While 76 per cent believe many products they buy don’t need additional packaging in the first place.

Over a third believe packaging reduction should be the priority of many manufacturersOver a third believe packaging reduction should be the priority of many manufacturers
Over a third believe packaging reduction should be the priority of many manufacturers | SWNS

A top priority

More than one third (38 per cent) of those surveyed said packaging reduction should be the first priority for retailers and manufacturers - over making packaging recyclable (36 per cent) or reusable (17 per cent). 

However, 62 per cent of online shoppers worry about their deliveries being damaged if they arrive with no added delivery packaging.

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Concealing orders to prevent embarrassment is low on the list of priorities for online shoppers, with an unashamed 76 per cent declaring they have never beenembarrassed by the contents of a package they’ve received.

And 87 per cent trust their neighbours to take care of their deliveries if they are not there to receive them.

For more than one third (39 per cent) of those surveyed, their main concern was concealing a gift if they buy an item for a household member.

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Justine Mahler added: “We don’t want to ruin that surprise. For that reason, many items that are certified to ship without additional packaging still come with an option to be sent in a box or paper delivery bag.

"We also conduct rigorous drop tests to ensure items sent without added delivery packaging have the potential to reach people safely.

“High value items like laptops, as well as many personal orders you’d keep in your bathroom cabinet, also come with added delivery packaging.”

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