The optimized packaging machines use 27% less cardboard and 60% less glue than before, resulting in the 28% reduction in CO₂ emissions per package. This is achieved by modifying the box design to eliminate overlapping cardboard sections. Jelte Nijholt, Manager Asset Improvement at bol, says: “We are constantly working to improve our logistics processes. With this renewed technology, we are making a significant step toward a more sustainable packaging process, without needing to invest in new equipment. Innovations like this contribute to our sustainability goals in multiple ways.”

Successful pilot during the busiest time of year
In the fall of 2024, two mono-packaging machines were retrofitted as part of a pilot project. These machines were tested in the fulfilment center during the holiday season—bol’s busiest period of the year. Following the successful pilot, bol plans to retrofit the remaining ten machines over the next two years.

Sustainable logistics in practice
Making its logistics operations more sustainable is part of bol’s broader ambition to minimize its environmental impact. The company takes multiple actions to achieve this. In 2021, bol became the first in the world to introduce the multi-packaging machine, which custom-packages multiple products in a single box. The company also now ships millions of orders without an outer box—over 9 million in 2024—thereby reducing the need for additional packaging material. In recent years, bol has been using green energy at almost all its locations. About 20% of the electricity is generated in-house using 13,000 solar panels installed on the roof of the BFC. For a full overview of bol’s sustainability efforts, refer to its annually published sustainability report.

Packaging flows at bol
- At the bol fulfilment center, packages are prepared both for bol itself and for sales partners who use bol’s logistics services;
- This is done in the BFC in three ways:
1. via automated mono-packaging machines (for orders with a single item)
2. via automated multi-packaging machines (for orders with multiple items)
3. through manual packaging, done as precisely as possible using a wide variety of box sizes
- Bol manages the entire logistics process ("Logistics via bol") for an increasing number of sales partners;
- Bol also supports sales partners who handle their own logistics—or do so partially through bol—in making their processes as sustainable as possible.