Making waves: How eCommerce can save our seas on World Water Day

Hi there, eco-advocates and ocean lovers! Today, on March 22nd, we're diving into the deep blue to talk about something close to our hearts: World Water Day.

You may be thinking, "What's the connection between eCommerce and water?" Well, hold onto your snorkels because we're about to explore the possible impact of digital commerce on our precious rivers and oceans.

Picture this: You're shopping online and adding items to your cart without even leaving your couch. Sounds convenient, right? But have you ever stopped to think about the environmental footprint of all those deliveries?

Here's where the magic of composable commerce architecture is swooping in like an environmental superhero. By pioneering such an innovative approach, we at commercetools are revolutionizing eCommerce, making it more efficient and eco-friendly than ever before.

But how, you ask? By streamlining processes and reducing waste along the supply chain, we're helping our customers by minimizing their carbon footprint of online shopping. From optimizing packaging materials to implementing sustainable shipping practices, every little change adds up to big benefits for our planet.

One of the real wave-makers in the industry is the shift toward cloud-based SaaS (software-as-a-service) solutions, which is a core trait of composable commerce. Compared to traditional on-premise software:

• SaaS solutions can be up to 80% more energy efficient. This is because cloud providers utilize massive, shared data centers that are optimized for efficiency. On-premise systems, on the other hand, often require companies to run their own servers, which can be less efficient and require more energy and water to cool.

• SaaS solutions eliminate the need for companies to manage and maintain their own hardware and software infrastructure. This leads to reduced energy consumption and less e-waste generation. 

To illustrate the impact, let's take commercetools as an example. With our platform being cloud-native, we were able to reduce our greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to 606.1 tonnes in 2023. If we had run our services on-premise, we estimate our emissions would have been approximately 25,200 tonnes. This significant reduction highlights the environmental benefits of our solutions.

Thus, the shift toward cloud-based SaaS solutions not only offers technological advantages but also presents a compelling opportunity to mitigate environmental impact. By embracing these innovative eCommerce approaches, businesses can contribute to a more sustainable future while enjoying the benefits of flexibility, scalability and cost-effectiveness.

But wait, there's more! Cue the drumroll for our exciting environmental partnership with Everwave. Together, we're tackling river and ocean pollution head-on — because let's face it, nobody likes a litterbug.

everwave, our eco-friendly ally, is on a mission to rid our waters of plastic pollution, and we're proud to support their cause. Through our collaboration, we're not only raising awareness but taking concrete action to make a difference.

Now, here's where you come in, dear reader. We're unleashing the power of the "Like" button for good. For every like this post receives on our commercetools LinkedIn account, everwave will collect 1 kilogram of garbage from our rivers and oceans*. So, go ahead, smash that like button and let's clean up our act together!

In a world where every drop counts, let's make waves this World Water Day. Whether you're a seasoned environmentalist or just dipping your toes into sustainability, remember that every little action can cause a big ripple of difference.

Stay tuned for more exciting initiatives from commercetools and everwave as we continue to ride the wave of change towards a cleaner, greener future.

*We will count likes up to a limit of 2,500.

To learn more about how we champion sustainability at commercetools, read all about our Planet Earth Alliance employee resource group.