Choosing Slower Delivery Options Can Reduce Carbon Emissions

(SeaPRwire) –   The allure of online shopping and the gratification of receiving a purchase in under two days from home is powerful. Often overlooked, however, is the environmental cost of this convenience.

In product shipping, the “last-mile” delivery—the final leg to your doorstep—generates the highest emissions. This occurs as drivers complete numerous stops, idle in traffic, and frequently follow inefficient routes to satisfy demanding delivery schedules. Research from 2022 indicates this final segment can account for up to half of a delivery’s total carbon footprint.

The push for ultra-fast shipping exacerbates the problem. “Expedited shipping prevents effective package consolidation,” explains Dr. Sreedevi Rajagopalan, director of the MIT Sustainable Supply Chain Lab. “Consequently, fewer goods are delivered per trip, and drivers may cover the same route multiple times in a single day or over consecutive days, leading to significantly higher emissions.”

Many delivery firms are now taking steps to green their last-mile operations, such as transitioning to electric delivery vans. Amazon aims to deploy 100,000 electric delivery vehicles by 2030, and FedEx has committed to a fully zero-emission electric delivery fleet by 2040. Rajagopalan notes that other adjustments—like prompting customers to combine orders into one package or select a slower shipping speed—can also aid companies in lowering last-mile delivery emissions.

What is the climate impact of fast shipping?

Online shopping is not inherently less eco-friendly than buying in-store. A 2021 study concluded that in-person shopping can generate 1.5 to 2.9 times more greenhouse gases. Yet, various elements influence the sustainability of both methods. “Emissions will rise if you use your personal car or visit stores frequently, compared to using public transit and shopping once a week,” Rajagopalan states.

Following the introduction of same-day delivery by Amazon and Walmart in 2015 and 2017, an analytical model showed the service was both costlier and more carbon-heavy, boosting total CO2 emissions and expenses by up to 15% and 68%, in that order.

It is clear that online shoppers return items three times more often than those in physical stores, increasing emissions and packaging waste. (Additionally, logistics firm Optoro reports that 5.8 billion pounds of returned goods are landfilled annually.) It’s wise to deliberate before buying and, if unsure, to try or test a product locally first.

How can I adopt more climate-friendly online shopping habits?

Your ordering approach matters. Instead of making several small orders weekly or monthly, plan and consolidate your purchases into one. Some retailers offer bundling options, which may extend shipping time but cut down on packaging and delivery trips.

Whenever possible, steer clear of same-day or next-day delivery. Postponing a delivery by three to four days can slash emissions by 40% to 56%, according to Rajagopalan.

As Rajagopalan summarizes: “We as consumers should pause and ask ourselves, ‘Is it essential to have this product tomorrow?’”