Volume reduction
Definition
Overview
Lumi considers products low volume if they fall below 25% of the average volume of other options that perform a similar function.
Reducing the volume of a corrugated box by half would almost half carbon emissions in transport, as twice as many units can be stacked on a pallet and shipped in a truck. In lifecycle analyses looking at the impacts of packaging, reducing volume is a critical way to reduce carbon emissions in transport1.
Why choose it
Lower volume directly translates to a lower carbon footprint. Lumi’s options across kraft envelopes and poly mailers offer a wide array of low volume options.
Companies opt for low volume packaging as a way to save space in shipping to their warehouse and to their customer. Lower weight can also drastically decrease shipping rates.
Why not choose it
Focusing only on volume incentivizes packaging options like plastic poly bags that may only be drop-off recyclable and don’t naturally compost or biodegrade.
Companies may choose higher volume materials that excel in other properties like recycled content or curbside recyclability.
References
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Life Cycle Inventory of Packaging Options for Shipment of Retail Mail-Order Soft Goods (Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, 2004)
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Life Cycle Impacts of Plastic Packaging Compared to Substitutes in the United States and Canada (ACC, 2018)
