Overpackaging in the E-commerce Era: Drivers, Multidimensional Impacts, and Mitigation Strategies
Main Article Content
Keywords
overpackaging, e-commerce, environmental impact, sustainable packaging, waste management
Abstract
With the rapid growth of e-commerce and online food delivery services, packaging has become increasingly important in protecting goods during transportation and enhancing customer experience when presented in nice packaging. However, this development has also led to widespread overpackaging, the excessive use of packaging materials beyond what is necessary for product protection and presentation. Overpackaging results in unnecessary resource consumption, increased waste generation, and additional environmental burdens. This paper reviews the existing literature to examine the current situation, the major causes, and the impacts of overpackaging across different aspects in the e-commerce era. In addition, the paper summarizes potential mitigation strategies proposed to address this problem. By synthesizing and analyzing findings from recent academic research, this study aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of how overpackaging has developed and how it affects environmental sustainability, economic efficiency, and consumer behavior. Finally, the findings emphasize the need for more sustainable packaging designs and improved waste management practices to reduce the negative impacts of excessive packaging.
References
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