Is online shopping GREENER than traditional shopping?

In 2019, about 1.92 bullion people purchased online. (https://www.statista.com). This is expected to be increased up to 2.05 bullion this year. Estimated online retail percentage is 8.8% by the year 2018. (https://www.invespcro.com/blog/global-online-retail-spending-statistics-and-trends/)

And we think online shopping is greener because;

• No need of maintaining retail outlets resulting less use of electricity and other utilities
• Saving on shoppers physical search for goods through eliminating traveling
• Reduction of emission, electricity for traveling for shopping

But..is it really the case?

• Online store deliveries need to happen, mainly using fleets of trucks run on diesel, less greener than many private vehicles. (Going to supermarket in a car Vs getting it delivered in a truck)
• Almost every item need additional packaging when delivered to online consumers resulting increased use of plastics, polythene and cardboard.
• This results in more cutting down trees
• More plastic waste added to environment
• In order to standardize packaging, there may be few sizes of packages available for delivery resulting unwanted large packages being used worsening the environmental impact.

What can we do to make online more greener..?

Online shopping is great, convenient, allow us to compare, shop at rest of our home. And we can make it greener by using “Click and Collect” concept. Buy online and collect in store. No additional packaging required, collect on your regular trips, no trucks being used and no fancy outlets required. This is also called “Buy Online – Pick Up In Store (BOPIS)"

Shall we promote and patronize on online retailers who encourage BOPIS ?