More individuals are committing to living lifestyles that do less harm to the earth and environment. They are working in ergonomic offices, wearing ethically made clothes, and staying conscious of fair trade practices when shopping for their home and offices. Overall, more people are committed to preserving the earth for their children and grandchildren. Continue reading to understand better why people shop online and some ways to make online shopping more sustainable.
Online shopping is one of the most convenient and safest ways to shop. It allows online users the opportunity to peruse aisles, load carts, pay for items and expect delivery of their purchase from the comfort of their homes. Online shopping has grown over the years and more rapidly during the pandemic. However, that hasn’t slowed down those seeking sustainability in their lives.
Sustainability is a way of living and working that does not compromise or damage the world for future generations. It means using natural resources to make products and supplies that don’t harm the earth or people.
Besides the ways listed above, individuals reuse items in their homes, recycle glass, paper, and plastic, use renewable energy, grow their own produce, and more. As for technology and online shopping, some ways to use it more sustainably are:
Go Paperless With Monthly Statements
If you are an adult and have a bank account, you probably get a bank statement by mail monthly showing what went into your account and what came out. Conversely, you likely have a gas or electric bill or statement, water bill or statement, credit account bill statement or other bills where you get a monthly statement. Many companies give customers the option to go paperless and check their account and information online when they open an account. It saves the company money on paper and postage.
Some benefits of paperless statements are:
- Convenient to check your account anytime.
- Convenient to pay your account anytime.
- Many companies offer a discount for paperless statements.
- Reduces your carbon footprint.
Look for Sales and Rebates
Online shopping offers a lot more than safety from germs that shopping in stores does not. Stores have special sales and rebates for online shoppers, and those deals aren’t available in-store. Before you press submit on your order at stores, check to see if they have any sale or rebate offers that are online only.
In addition to online sales, websites like RebateKey have rebates for certain stores that can save you on items you need from certain stores. For instance, they have an entire page of Walmart rebates that can save money.
Buy Big When You Can
Buying in bulk is always a great way if you are shopping for a family. Items like condiments, laundry and bath soap, toothpaste, and cleaning supplies will cost less per unit when purchased in bulk. Other reasons why buying online in bulk is more sustainable are because:
- It saves time from multiple shopping trips.
- It is more environmentally friendly.
- It creates consistency.
- It saves money.
- It is cost-effective.
Consolidate Your Online Orders
One of the main reasons to consolidate orders is to save money on shipping. Rather than order individual items on separate occasions, it makes sense to place your order for all items once and pay one shipping fee. In addition to saving shipping costs, consolidating orders means that the shipper and the receiver only have to open and dispose of one box or carton, peanut foam, and plastic. Multiple orders mean multiple bulk containers that must be recycled.
Select Slower Delivery Options
It goes without saying that when you order something online, you want to receive it as soon as possible. And for many retailers, next-day delivery is an option, at a high cost. However, by selecting a slower delivery option is better for the environment, you save money, and it also:
- Reduces carbon footprint.
- Reduces rushed delivery drivers.
- Improves delivery efficiency.
As you can see from reading the tips above, it is possible to shop online consciously. If you are working on living more sustainably and are a frequent online shopper, the information listed above will help you meet the mark.
