Tuesday, August 20, 2019

Happy Returns Tackles Cardboard Box Proliferation With New Program

Santa Monica-based Happy Returns, which helps online retailers manage the flow of returns--both through behind-the-scenes logistics services and in-person "Return Bar" locations, is helping to tackle the growing pile of cardboard boxes being generated by online commerce. According to Happy Returns, it has created a new "box-free" return program, where the company aggregates returned items across participating retailers, then bulk-ships them in reusable packaging to regional return hubs. The company says the effort helps both consumers and retailers to reduce their carbon footprint. Happy Returns said it is initially rolling out the program with online fashion retailers Draper James, Revolve, and Rothy's. Happy Returns explained that the reusable packaging which is shipped to a retailer's distribution centers are collected and reused at its Return Bar locations. Happy Return says it commissioned a study from Yorke Engineering, which found that its new model reduces the amount of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 0.12 pounds per item returned; the company said a retailer with 1 million annual returns would reduce their environmental footprint by 120,000 pounds of greenhouse gas emissions annually.