Smarter packaging

bol uses 25 packaging machines to custom-pack our customers' orders as efficiently as possible. These machines scan the dimensions of one or more items together, cut the cardboard to size, and precisely fold the box around them. This limits the air in the boxes, reduces the amount of cardboard needed, and allows more packages to fit in a truck.

The multi-packaging machine, used by bol, is the first in the world that can custom-pack multiple items of various sizes into one box. What's special is that this machine is suitable for almost the entire bol product range of tens of millions of items. Smarter packaging, then.

To save cardboard and make the best use of space in delivery vans, we also ship millions of packages without an 'outer box'. If an item's original packaging is sturdy enough, we omit the extra bol box. Additionally, all cardboard waste in our Fulfilment center is 100% recycled.

We also report and monitor the CO2 emissions of all our cardboard boxes. This means we look at the impact of the material, production, and transport of the packaging in the chain of our packaging supplier Janssen Packaging. In the coming years, packaging emissions will be further reduced as a result.

By custom-packing efficiently, we ship 75 percent of packages without void fill. And if void fill is necessary for an item's protection, it is made from 100 percent recycled material.

1. Use Packaging via bol: all our boxes are made from FSC-certified material, which means all paper used comes from responsible forest management. Our packaging is also Climate Neutral certified. This means you directly contribute to reducing emissions.
2. See if it's possible to stop using void fill. Still need void fill? Then consider more sustainable alternatives such as biodegradable void fill chips or (recycled) void fill paper.
3. Try to ship your item with as little empty space as possible in the shipping packaging by choosing the right size box. The less wasted space, the better.