Guest post on behalf of Todd Thornton. Todd is a blogger and freelance writer who covers environmentally related topics.
It seems that online shopping is becoming more popular each and every year, and some of the main reasons for the trend are easy to see. Most significantly, online shopping seems to simply be more convenient than retail shopping, as it allows consumers the ability to browse, choose, and order products from the comfort of their own homes. Additionally, online shopping can often end up being more affordable, as the discounts, coupons, and even base prices of many products online are often favourable. But there is a third reason that online shopping has become the preference of many people all over the world: it often has less of an environmental impact than retail shopping.
To most shoppers, environmental impact doesn’t really seem like a topic of concern with specific regard to shopping. However, there are several ways in which online shopping – whether at a large scale online store like Amazon, or a niche store like http://mysmartbuy.com – is the more environmentally responsible option. Here are a few details.
Less Driving
The clearest environmental benefit of online shopping is that it reduces driving needs. For many people, shopping is an activity that can take them all over town, stopping at a number of different malls and stores – which, of course, involves a good deal of driving and fuel consumption. Reducing fuel emissions and driving dependency is one of the most significant environmental efforts in the world, and doing a majority of your shopping online is a good way to contribute.
Less Packaging
Another key worldwide environmental effort is the reduction of material consumption. When you shop retail in person, the chances are good that you will end up with a number of different bags and/or boxes, which will simply be discarded once you get home. Shopping online is more efficient with regard to packaging – typically, everything you order will come in the smallest possible box, which means that ultimately fewer materials are used and ultimately disposed of.
Responsible Returns
Also with regard to the waste of materials, many people who shop online are more likely to return unwanted products. Sometimes it can be hard to find time to make returns around town at different stores, which means people who shop retail are often more likely to waste purchased goods. Returns can be done more conveniently and efficiently through online shopping, meaning you will be less likely to waste products that end up unwanted.
Purchase Of Green Products
Finally, it is also worth noting that it can be easier to find green products online, simply due to the massive selection of online stores. Environmentally responsible products are certainly available in many retail stores, but finding them can be more difficult in person. Shopping online affords you the opportunity to seek out and rely on these products. ‘
Comments
comments
No comments yet.