Why Online Shopping is Horrible for the Environment
We live in a day and age where online shopping is everywhere. Especially because of the Coronavirus Pandemic. Even though online shopping is easy and convenient, it comes at a cost. Online shopping is horrible for the environment.
Online Shopping Produces Tons of CO2
In 2016, transportation became the largest producer of CO2, surpassing power plants. Almost 25% of transportation based emissions come from medium and large heavy-duty trucks. These are the trucks that transport your purchases and packages from online shopping. These trucks produce more emissions transported your packages, then you do going to the store and back to buy something physically.
We have exchanged trips to malls and stores, with emissions producing truck deliveries to our houses. Online shopping has especially skyrocketed because of COVID-19. But it’s not just emissions that are produced by online shopping. Noise and traffic congestion are being created in areas that are not meant for large delivery trucks. Online shopping causes many consequences, all because we want convenience.
Online shopping is the closest thing humans have to instant gratification in retail. We want fast delivery. 3-day, 2-day, same-day however shipping is all horrible for the environment. And the majority of online shoppers will opt for faster shipping when it is free. The faster the truck has to transport, the fewer packages it can carry. This means that trucks are not being fully loaded, only loaded about 25% or 50%. This leads to increased emissions because the trucks are not at their full efficiency and capability.
What Can You Do To Help
Companies will sometimes offer an incentive if you choose no-rush shipping. Amazon will sometimes offer a $1 incentive if you opt for no-rush shipping. This allows trucks to be filled up to their full capacity, which helps produce fewer carbon emissions.
Also, you can order items together. If you going to purchase multiple items, purchase them in one order. This way, the packages will come to you in one box, which helps increase the efficiency of trucks. The more efficient the trucks can be, the less carbon emission will be produced.
Finally, you can purchase fewer items online. Before you purchase something online, think about if you really need this. If you don’t need it, don’t purchase it. This philosophy will help you save money, and also help the environment. For your essentials, try purchasing them in person, all in one trip. This will save gas and emissions.
Takeaway
Only we, the consumers, have to power to end carbon emissions from large online companies. When we opt for no-rush shipping, we are helping to reduce carbon emission. By buying items in one order, we can help increase the efficiency of trucks. Most large companies won’t become more environmentally friendly if it causes a loss in profits. Together, we can help reduce carbon emission one step at a time.
