Online shopping has revolutionized the way we buy products. With just a few clicks, we can purchase anything from anywhere in the world. But, this convenience comes at a cost. According to the National Retail Foundation, the amount of merchandise returned is 16.6% of total sales. One major drawback is the environmental impact of online returns. We will explore the impact of online returns and what we can do to reduce it.
Impacts of The Online Returns
Returns make a major contribution to GHG Emissions. Returning items by shipping them back to the retailer can increase carbon emissions due to the transportation involved. This is particularly true for items that are shipped long distances. Approximately 5 billion pounds of landfill waste are generated every year in the United States due to returns, with trucks burning about 1.6 billion gallons of diesel fuel and emitting 15 million metric tons of carbon dioxide.
Returns make a significant amount of waste. If items are returned in their original packaging, that packaging may not be reused and those that are not may end up in the landfill.
What You Can Do To Reduce Your Online Returns?
Learn how to take your measurements. Take your measurements when you have form-fitting clothing on. Plus, record the measurements for future reference and consider taking new measurements every few months to keep them up to date.
Read the reviews and product descriptions carefully. You will make sure that you are purchasing something that meets your needs and expectations.
Pay attention to the sizing information. If you select the right size the first time, you will be less likely to return your purchase. Some websites offer sizing guides and tools to help you make more informed decisions about what size to order.
Consider giving your unwanted products. This can reduce waste and provide someone else with a useful item. Also, you can do a clothing swap with your friends.
While online shopping has certainly made purchasing products more convenient, it also has a significant environmental impact due to the high volume of returns generated. Returns contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and landfill waste, and they also come at a cost for companies. By being mindful of our online shopping habits, we can help to minimize the negative impact of returns and create a more sustainable future.
