3 Ways to Green Your Online Purchases
With the prevalence of dependant online commerce, It’s never been easier to ship products to your front door step. However for the newly eco-conscious, it can be daunting to receive a giant box filled with paper or plastic wrap. If you’re a frequent online shopper, it can be helpful to consider the environmental tolls of your purchasing habits and ways to go green.
Consider
Although deliveries from the web can be convenient, online deliveries are more than just intensely taped packaging and bubble wrap. There are hidden environmental costs of online purchases to consider such as greenhouse gas emissions from delivery trucks. Manufacturing and packaging costs are also inevitable although the leap toward sustainable packaging and solar powered warehouses have made a world of difference. Consider buying less and buying used. Take control of your environmental impact by choosing to walk, bike, bus, or carpool with your friends when shopping instead of driving to the store alone.
Recycle
Reducing packaged waste is definitely hard to do when companies are ready to stuff your ready to ship box with Styrofoam peanuts and bubble wrap. Of course you can always make the effort to recycle that cardboard box, but what to do with sticky tape and plastic film? You can avoid this by contacting retailers beforehand and letting them know you want reduced packaging. Most companies tend to go for the cheapest packaging materials, so it’s important to make your voice heard. Don’t forget to mention an encouraging note to use electric trucks to cut emissions.
Support
Eco-conscious companies all over the world are making an effort to not only make raw, plant-derived, organic, vegan, and cruelty-free products, but also packaging that is sustainable at an 100% recycle rate. Supporting eco-friendly companies that support local communities and green online retailers can help reduce your carbon footprint.
Living eco-conscious ain’t easy but remember: you are not alone. You are making a difference not only for the earth today but also for future generations to come. Every step counts.
Author Bio: Christin Lee is a yoga instructor, entrepreneur, and lifestyle blogger living in NYC with a passion for universal human rights. She is an editor at InsiderEnvy, a site focused on travel, health, and eyecare and writes review for contacts, beauty, and workouts.
If you have any tips or ideas on how to go green with online purchases leave them in the comment section!
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