Is Online Shopping Sustainable?

 It is important to look at the exact effect caused by this new trend of online shopping and instant shipping on climate change. The carbon footprint of online shopping greatly depends on the actions of customers. As shoppers can be divided into several different categories that span from a traditional retail shopper, modern shopper, and cybernaut known shopper who exclusively shop online. Online shopping with lower shipping options has a smaller footprint than driving to a retail store to search purchase and return a product. The highest effect shopper is actually a mix of both ones that go to the store to compare prices and then buy online with quick shipping. The greater number of the reason why traditional shoppers have such a huge footprint is that they are using cars to reach brick-and-mortar shops. The Cybernaut as for the who shop online when they choose shipping options like two-day mailing, they are more than doubling their transportation-related emissions especially within the last couple of years. Companies like Amazon started to send vans out to deliver packages that are only half full to fulfill customer expectations this ultimately means more emissions because trucks and vans have to make numerous trips between homes and hubs as opposed to slower shipping options which fill up trucks with cargo and make a single trip to fill orders.

Packaging Waste

Packaging also has a significant role to play when it comes to environmental impact often when you select the overnight shipping option the products that you want aren't bundled together in the same box because they are usually coming from two different facilities across the country, as a result, you receive a new cardboard box for every product you buy and the carbon emissions of products are on average 35% more. When shipped separately in addition many products are packaged efficiently. Average boxes contain 20% of wasted space which shipping facilities then fill with papers Styrofoam or bubble wrap ultimately creating more waste that finds its way into landfills but there are many choices on both the retail and consumer side that could help lower emissions for companies. Cutting down emissions means digging shoppers towards slower shipping options or making in-store purchases. When appropriate it can also mean bundling items together in one packet or even reducing the amount of packaging for a product by right-sizing its box. But as individuals, we also have choices to make for one if it's possible to find a way to get to your local retail store without using a car you will not only drastically lower your footprint but shopping locally. It also allows you to connect with other people face to face which helps build community resilience in the long run if you don't have that luxury consider using slower shipping choices which allows the online retailer to optimize shipping routes because they don't have to rush to get the item onto your doorstep. This necessarily means fewer miles traveled for trucks and planes because they can fill up with packages and only leave when they are full. Online shopping isn't something to be demonized it's an important resource for people who may not be able to shop in person for several reasons however it's important to think seriously about our individual relationships with online shopping. Think before you shop that an online shopping spree not only has negative consequences for your wallet but it also has lasting effects on the natural world that we have come to rely on.

Online Shopping