The other day, I happened to purchase a few items from an online store and when I received the package, I took a good five minutes unpacking it. What was I left with? The items that I purchased (which happened to be the size of a notebook) and a huge box, a lifetime supply of bubble wrap and lots of plastic.
This made me introspect about the growing trend of online shopping and how it can adversely affect the environment. It was not the first time that I had purchased something from an online store; but this time, the sheer amount of plastic used to wrap that tiny object made me think. I live in a place where it is quite difficult to purchase many things from the local stores due to the unavailability. So a large number of people rely on online shopping here.
Each product, which is already in a plastic package, before being sent to the customer, is carefully wrapped in layers of bubble wrap and put into a plastic bag or a cardboard box. Further, the cardboard boxes are wrapped in a large amount of tape. A few of these can be reused by the customers for their own personal use, but most people usually dump them in the garbage. It is sad to see that at a time like this when environmental issues are a global concern and is directly affecting us, most of us choose to remain nonchalant.
As it is with all major problems, there are a lot of hurdles to be crossed. One of the major problems is that is impossible to transport the items to the customers without this packaging as it will result in damaged goods. These prevent the goods from damage due to vibrations and other external forces. They absorb the shock and act as cushions. The other concern is moisture which can seep through these goods and cause irreversible damage. During their transportation, these packages are susceptible to various kinds of moisture ingression. These can easily be prevented by packing them in plastic. Few items which are obliquely shaped cannot be transported easily. So the sellers pack them in boxes of similar dimension which make it easier to load and unload and is also better suited for cost-efficient space-utilization. This means that those items need to be put into boxes which are of larger dimensions thus leaving a lot of free space which needs to be filled to prevent the item from moving around. Thus, the amount of waste generated increases tremendously.
The first step towards finding the solution to any problem is accepting that it is a problem. Only then will we be able to find meaningful solutions. As customers and as responsible citizens of planet earth, it is imperative that we work hand in hand with the electronic commerce companies towards this common goal. Only a collective effort will give the required results. At present, a lot of supermarkets and other retail outlets have completely abandoned plastic covers and are using cloth bags. Incentives are also given to those customers who bring their own carry bags. These are all positive changes towards a brighter future for all of us.
Similarly, e-commerce stores must provide the customers with options to opt out of using plastic packaging. Incentives should also be given for the same. It is high time that the government also addresses these issues as they have a large impact on the country. With the current growth in technology, it is not impossible to find an economical and sustainable alternative. After all, 'Necessity is the mother of inventions'. The faster we address this issue, lesser the damage done and easier the solutions.
This made me introspect about the growing trend of online shopping and how it can adversely affect the environment. It was not the first time that I had purchased something from an online store; but this time, the sheer amount of plastic used to wrap that tiny object made me think. I live in a place where it is quite difficult to purchase many things from the local stores due to the unavailability. So a large number of people rely on online shopping here.
Each product, which is already in a plastic package, before being sent to the customer, is carefully wrapped in layers of bubble wrap and put into a plastic bag or a cardboard box. Further, the cardboard boxes are wrapped in a large amount of tape. A few of these can be reused by the customers for their own personal use, but most people usually dump them in the garbage. It is sad to see that at a time like this when environmental issues are a global concern and is directly affecting us, most of us choose to remain nonchalant.
As it is with all major problems, there are a lot of hurdles to be crossed. One of the major problems is that is impossible to transport the items to the customers without this packaging as it will result in damaged goods. These prevent the goods from damage due to vibrations and other external forces. They absorb the shock and act as cushions. The other concern is moisture which can seep through these goods and cause irreversible damage. During their transportation, these packages are susceptible to various kinds of moisture ingression. These can easily be prevented by packing them in plastic. Few items which are obliquely shaped cannot be transported easily. So the sellers pack them in boxes of similar dimension which make it easier to load and unload and is also better suited for cost-efficient space-utilization. This means that those items need to be put into boxes which are of larger dimensions thus leaving a lot of free space which needs to be filled to prevent the item from moving around. Thus, the amount of waste generated increases tremendously.
The first step towards finding the solution to any problem is accepting that it is a problem. Only then will we be able to find meaningful solutions. As customers and as responsible citizens of planet earth, it is imperative that we work hand in hand with the electronic commerce companies towards this common goal. Only a collective effort will give the required results. At present, a lot of supermarkets and other retail outlets have completely abandoned plastic covers and are using cloth bags. Incentives are also given to those customers who bring their own carry bags. These are all positive changes towards a brighter future for all of us.
Similarly, e-commerce stores must provide the customers with options to opt out of using plastic packaging. Incentives should also be given for the same. It is high time that the government also addresses these issues as they have a large impact on the country. With the current growth in technology, it is not impossible to find an economical and sustainable alternative. After all, 'Necessity is the mother of inventions'. The faster we address this issue, lesser the damage done and easier the solutions.