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Peak season brings higher order volumes, tighter delivery windows, and more pressure on logistics teams. This combination almost always leads to more waste, excess packaging, half-empty trucks, and unnecessary returns. Studies show that e-commerce packaging waste and returns rise sharply in Q4, with oversized boxes and extra filler materials being among the biggest contributors (BusinessWaste UK; The Interline, 2024). Transport emissions also spike, especially when last-minute shipments disrupt normal planning (UNCTAD Digital Economy Report 2024).
Despite this, many inefficiencies are avoidable with better planning.
Forecasting demand so stock moves only when needed
The first step to reducing waste is getting demand forecasts right. When order patterns are unclear, companies tend to move stock “just in case,” leading to extra warehouse transfers, duplicate shipments, and higher fuel use. Seasonal forecasting tools can reduce unnecessary stock movement by up to 10-15% according to supply chain analysts (Ryder E-commerce Sustainability Guide). Even simple measures, weekly forecasting reviews or aligning marketing and operations teams, help avoid reactive decisions that create waste.
Consolidating shipments and planning for fuller loads
Truck utilization drops fast during peak if teams rush to ship partial loads. Transport experts warn that empty space in trucks is responsible for thousands of avoidable CO₂ tons each year (Pallet2Ship Logistics Guide). Peak season actually offers an advantage: high volume makes it easier to consolidate. Companies that shift from fragmented dispatching to planned full-truck-load or mixed-load routes see both lower emissions and lower costs. Even at a smaller scale, grouping same-area deliveries or combining late-evening pickups can noticeably reduce waste.
Reducing packaging waste with better materials and smarter choices
Packaging is one of the largest sources of holiday-season waste. Oversized boxes and single-use packaging increase both material use and transport weight. Switching to right-size packaging, lighter materials, or reusable options can reduce material use by 20–30% (FAES – Smart Packaging for Scope 3 Reduction). Simple steps help too: reviewing SKUs that consistently ship in oversized boxes, or aligning packaging and product dimensions before peak starts. When packaging improves, breakage and returns often drop as well (SupplyChainBrain – “Rethinking the Box”).
Long-term gains for logistics companies
Smarter planning doesn’t require major investments. Most improvements come from better coordination, not big new systems. Companies that improve forecasting, consolidation, and packaging usually see clear benefits: fewer wasted miles, lower costs per shipment, and a more predictable operation. As logistics companies move into another high-volume season, these small changes stack up, improving both environmental impact and operational performance (GlobeNewswire – Packaging in Supply Chain Management Market Report 2023).
Sources
The Interline (2024) – Environmental cost of e-commerce returns and packaging waste.
BusinessWaste UK – Analysis of packaging waste from oversized boxes and filler materials in e-commerce.
UNCTAD Digital Economy Report 2024 – Data on transport emissions and environmental impact of global e-commerce.
Ryder E-commerce Sustainability Guide – Insights on forecasting, returns, and waste reduction in peak-season operations.
Pallet2Ship Logistics Guide – Information on shipment consolidation, truck utilization, and emissions.
FAES – Smart Packaging for Scope 3 Reduction – Data on reusable and optimized packaging’s CO₂ impact.
SupplyChainBrain – “Rethinking the Box” – Packaging efficiency and its influence on breakage and returns.
GlobeNewswire – Packaging in Supply Chain Management Market Report 2023 – Market overview of sustainable packaging trends.