From the latest Spring collection to Christmas gifts, online shopping is so easy in this ever-connected world. But with transport and packaging, our little box of goodies quickly racks up quite an impact.
So how can we lighten our e-shopping load?
With so little time, and when work gets stressful beyond belief, online shopping can be a convenient and welcome relief. We don’t always have the luxury of time to head down to Orchard Road to browse through racks, so this is our next best option. We might feel like we don’t have much of an impact if we’re just buying a small box of goodies but boy, are we wrong. It can still be very environmentally damaging. In retail outlets, we can do things like bring our own eco-bags or refuse plastic. So what can we do when it comes to online shopping?
Here are TEN #littlegreensteps you can take as an e-shopaholic to lessen your impact.
1. Choose shipping by freight rather than by plane
Don’t underestimate the impact of shipping. Delivery by boat has been said to be more sustainable than by plane, and it also costs less for the producer as well as you, the consumer. Sure it takes a little longer to get to your doorstep, but you can always avoid this by ordering it early.
2. Buy things in advance
In line with the point above, try to buy things in advance. When we opt for speed, it creates more vehicles which leads to more emissions. If you buy things in advance, this gives companies leeway to consolidate and optimise their distribution which saves costs and saves the environment. Rushed deliveries disrupt the consolidation process, creating more traffic on the road just for that pair of socks. If you want things even faster, cycling down or taking the bus to your nearest store is probably greener and cheaper.
3. Support local
It’s simple: the further out the company is, the more carbon it releases into the air trying to get that goodie delivered to you by plane, truck, or boat. An item made locally and transported from 40 miles away is always more eco-friendly than the same item shipped from 400 miles away, across oceans and borders. Even better, it will almost certainly arrive sooner! Supporting local businesses not only significantly reduces air pollution and carbon emissions but also builds the local community. We have a list of some of our recent local conscious brands here!
4. Recycle the things that come with your package
The damage (on your wallet and the Earth) is done, your package has arrived. Your green journey doesn’t just end there. Packaging is a big issue as producers usually use lots of packaging to ensure that your item arrives safely. But there are some things you can recycle. I mean, it’s not like you want or need them anyway.
- The brochures or cards that come with your package
2. Plastic wrappers that come with clothes
3. The cardboard box – just remember to flatten it!
4. Paper stuffings (usually found in shoes)
5. Bubble wrap (yes, bubble wrap)
5. Purchase in bulk
Try keeping track of how often you place orders online and see if you can reduce the frequency and purchase in bulk instead. Think about it: if you fill your e-shopping cart with fewer items, you have to place more orders. And they all arrive on separate days, with their own plastic wrapping and cardboard boxes. If you must order online, opt for larger single orders to minimise carbon emissions.
6. Shop green brands
One thing you can’t recycle is the styrofoam peanut stuffing. Sad, we know, but you can always opt to buy from companies that have green packaging (think biodegradable peanut stuffings). Or buy from green brands that practice ethical and sustainable production; we know this can sound a bit redundant or frankly tiring sometimes. But the more we’re constantly introduced to or made familiar with conscious brands, the more it becomes our standard! Also, a lot of the time, green brands are small businesses or local, so you’re basically killing two birds with one stone—supporting small or local businesses and short-haul shipping.
7. Purchasing eco-friendly and recycled items go a long way
If your cart is full of eco-friendly items, companies will be sure to stock them more and start taking care of the planet too. You’re basically telling companies, “Hey, we care about the environment. Now stock up on the good and green stuff!” But also remember, not all brands are honest with their conscious lines, so don’t get suck into their greenwashing! Bonus: look for retailers selling upcycled and reused goods – most good-quality, durable ones look and function just as well as brand new items while being cheaper and greener too!
8. Avoid impulse buying
Mindful shopping means taking a moment to ask yourself: Do you really need this? Can it be purchased locally or borrowed from a friend? Do you have a similar item lying unused at home in some corner? Businesses will track your searches make themselves loudly known as customised ads on social media and websites but if you are mindful of your budget and needs, you’ll end up saving the planet too. As a rule of thumb, wherever possible, wait for at least a day before placing your order or till you’re confident about your choice.
9. Avoid returns
Every return is another truck needed to come pick up your package and possibly another sail or flight too. Every return is a need for repackaging. That is a lot of CO2 and plastics being used just to return one parcel. Think before you buy, check the measurements and read reviews. Reduce your environmental impact and increase your happiness too, returning is such a bummer. Also, this goes hand in hand with point number eight. Make sure you really, absolutely need what you’re purchasing. Don’t wait until you receive it to make the decision, just because you’re able to return it!
10. Go thrifting or renting
Make pre-loved trendy again! To some this may not be the most glamorous way to shop, but as they say, one man’s trash is another’s treasure. Instead of purchasing new, why not check out what people are selling second hand or check out one of the incredible fashion savvy renting options. This way you can extend the life cycle of those clothes, get great outfits at even greater prices and own the look not the dress.
For those based in Asia, we have a whole list of places for sustainable fashion spots, aka swapping, pre-loved, rental, you know it! Get the 411 here.
Hope these #LittleGreenSteps helped and if you have any tips, we’d love to hear from you!
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