Can Businesses Make International Shipping Eco-Friendly?

Julie Starr • February 17, 2021



Shipping products overseas is an effective way to expand your reach as a business and facilitate growth. But from an environmental point of view, international shipping is a big problem. Flights create a lot of carbon emissions, and you are contributing to that by shipping products overseas. You also have to consider the emissions from vehicles on either side of the flight too, as well as the small details, like the packaging. When you add it all up, you’ll see the carbon footprint caused by international shipping is huge.

But before you decide to give up on it completely, it’s worth remembering that there are ways to make it greener if you are willing to invest some time and money. Here’s how you can make international shipping more eco-friendly. 

Offset Your Emissions 

The easiest way to manage your carbon footprint is to offset your emissions. If you work out how many carbon emissions your international shipping process creates, you can then buy carbon credits from companies that invest the money in green projects around the world. That way, you can still ship products internationally but you are contributing to a cleaner planet at the same time, so you balance things out. 

Stop Using Air Mail 

Flying is the least eco-friendly form of travel, so you should stop using air mail and start shipping products by boat instead. This will take a lot longer, so you need to manage the expectations of your customers. However, if you tell them that you are doing this to reduce your carbon emissions, most people will be happy to wait longer for their products. However, there are a few potential issues you need to manage. Firstly, your products may pass through more countries because they are not flying directly to their destination, which means there could be some customs issues. Make sure that you find a customs broker with TRACE certification to help you navigate these tricky issues. You also need to do your research into the shipping companies because large ships are still not the most eco-friendly form of travel. You will also create more emissions from traveling on land, so make sure that you calculate the total carbon emissions to make sure that it’s actually better than flying when you take everything into account. In most cases, it will be, but sometimes it isn’t. 

Use Recyclable Packaging 

This is one of the best steps that any e-commerce company can take if they want to go green , regardless of whether they ship internationally or not. But many international businesses forget about this because they are so focused on the logistics of cross-border shipping. Although that is important, you also need to find ways to reduce the amount of plastic and other harmful materials used in your packaging. The good news is, there are plenty of green alternatives out there. 

International shipping isn’t good for the environment, but your business may rely on it to survive. The good news is, you can make it more eco-friendly if you follow these steps. 

Blockchain for Sustainability: Cutting Through the Hype with Strategic Communication

By Julie Starr • April 28, 2025
As blockchain continues to gain traction in sustainability circles—from tracking carbon credits to improving supply chain transparency—more organizations are exploring how these emerging tools might support their ESG goals. But with innovation comes complexity, and for many stakeholders, blockchain still feels like a black box. That’s where communication becomes essential. At Taiga Company, we work with clients to simplify complex sustainability narratives without oversimplifying the value. While blockchain can offer traceability and transparency, it’s not a silver bullet—and how you talk about these technologies matters just as much as how you use them. Poor communication can undermine credibility, especially in a landscape where stakeholders and regulators are increasingly alert to greenwashing . On the other hand, clear, honest messaging about blockchain-enabled sustainability efforts can build trust and differentiate your leadership. Our approach is grounded in materiality and alignment. We help organizations: Translate technical tools like blockchain into plain language that resonates with diverse audiences Connect new technologies to core sustainability strategy Craft credible narratives that evolve alongside innovation Blockchain may be new territory, but strategic communication remains the foundation. Whether you're piloting traceability tools or just starting to explore how blockchain fits your ESG roadmap, we help you tell the story with clarity and confidence. Let’s make innovation meaningful.

6 Things All Modern Businesses Need in 2025

By Julie Starr • April 22, 2025
If you’re starting your own business, then you know all too well that it’s equally an exciting and overwhelming time. There’s so much to think about, and you want to get it right from day one. But it doesn’t have to be as overwhelming as you might think. Let’s go through everything your new business needs to hit the ground running this year. A Clear Business Plan Before anything else, take the time to figure out your game plan. This doesn’t need to be a long, boring document that you’ll never look at again. Think of it as a simple guide that answers three key questions: Who are you selling to? What are you offering? And how are you going to get noticed? Once you’ve written that down, you can always tweak it as your business grows. From a communications standpoint, clarity on your audience and value proposition also sets the foundation for authentic brand storytelling—something Taiga Company helps clients refine at every stage. Responsible Financial Management Money is one of those things that can make or break a business. The good news is you don’t need a finance degree to get it right. Start with a simple budget. Know how much is coming in, what’s going out, and what you’re setting aside. Think about things like stock, marketing, bills and wages if you’re hiring. Keep it realistic and keep it updated. Doing this from day one will make life much easier later. Reliable Cloud Services In 2025, storing everything on your laptop isn’t really a safe bet. Files go missing, computers break, and you don’t want to lose important stuff. That’s where cloud services come in. They keep your files secure, backed up and easy to access from anywhere. Whether it’s documents, customer info or creative work, having it all saved online gives you peace of mind. And when you're building a business in a digital-first world, having secure, accessible assets also means your team can collaborate more efficiently across channels—essential for strong communications. Flexible Payment Options Most people don’t carry cash anymore, so if you’re only accepting it, you’re going to lose sales. Get yourself a card reader that takes all the usual stuff like debit cards, credit cards, contactless and Apple Pay. The easier you make it for someone to pay you, the more likely they are to buy. Simple as that. A Basic Website Even if you’re not selling online, you still need a website. It doesn’t have to be fancy. Just something that tells people who you are, what you do, and how they can contact you. Think of your site as your digital front door. If someone hears about your business, chances are they’ll look you up online. Make sure what they find actually helps them. A clear website is also one of the most powerful communication tools your business has. We work with clients to ensure their digital presence reflects their story, purpose, and value. A Way to Spread the Word You can’t rely on people just stumbling across your business. You’ve got to put yourself out there. Social media is a great start, but don’t stop there. Think email newsletters , posters in your local area or even just chatting about your work whenever it comes up naturally. The more you talk about your business, the more others will too. Starting a business in 2025 is a big move, but it doesn’t have to feel impossible. Get the basics in place, stay flexible and keep learning. With the right tools and the right message, you can build momentum and create connection. Taiga Company helps growing businesses translate operational essentials into brand trust and long-term impact.