eBay Box Designed for Easy (Re)Shipping
Online auction site eBay has debuted a new shipping container called the eBay Box – a new way for buyers and sellers to reuse the same box for multiple shipments designed by an eBay employee.
eBays annual Innovations Expo grand prize winner is an idea called “simple green shipping” - a durable box that’s been designed to be used over and over and over again.
The thought behind the new box is that many of eBay’s buyers are also sellers, and it also uses water-based inks and minimal tape to prolong the box life. The company claims that five uses would save 4,000 trees, 2.4 million gallons of water and enough energy to power 49 homes for a year.
Each box also comes with notes for users to write a personal message to the next recipient, and the eBay Box website will also track its journey from user to user. The box itself is made of 100 percent recycled content cardboard and is recyclable with other cardboard boxes.
eBay is not the only online shipper with an eye for more more packaging. The New York Times reports that Amazon.com is looking to limit the amount of plastic packaging that can pose a challenge for opening as well as disposal.
Amazon informed its manufacturing partners that some of the negative feedback on their products is related to packaging, and those who have opted for cardboard instead of plastic wrap have received 73 percent less negative feedback.
For those interested in the eBay Box, the company is offering up 100,000 free boxes for members of its Green Team and participants in it On Location events in October. The boxes will also be available during its pilot program through March 2011. The company will then evaluate participation by tracking their progress and the buzz generated through social media channels.
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As of June 17th 2011 we have upgraded our comment system to use Facebook comments. The below comments are closed and are listed for historical purposes.
Fern
posted on September 10th, 2010 at 3:14 pm
My first reaction is maybe it’s April and this is a joke. Reusable packing is a good idea, been doing it for 50 yrs. So is biodegradable products and use them when I can.
I don’t see anywhere what the crush weight is for these boxes. This is important when shipping breakables. Does the water based ink run?
Is Ebay trying to control their sellers completely?
Don’t want any logo on a boxes I send, unless it’s USPO and less text the better, to better see the address.
No way do I want customers to see previous message. Complete invasion of privacy for my customers.
No way do I want a box I mail to be traced more than once, none of Ebay’s business.
As far as to much tape, hard to open,etc. Give me a break. Can’t we just be thankful that the package got there safely?
io
posted on September 13th, 2010 at 11:56 am
Fern, relax. Soy-based ink does not run.
They’re not trying to control your mind or anything; from their website:
Why should I participate?
Your participation is completely voluntary.
You don’t have to use it, and then you won’t complain! Crazy how that works.
Recovery TTA
posted on September 18th, 2010 at 1:42 pm
This is a very interesting idea, yes we do not like the idea of tracing all of our customers, and our customers customers. It is a very eco friendly idea in part tho. The reuse of boxes needs to be encouraged more of course. Maybe this will catch on and become a helpful step forward for some sellers.
noman
posted on September 30th, 2010 at 3:24 pm
ebay has become bureaucratized and outgrown its usefulness