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Online Shopping May Actually Increase Pollution

Posted by Soulskill on from the it's-not-easy-being-green dept.

destinyland writes "British researchers have reached a startling conclusion. Unless online shoppers order 25 items at a time, they're polluting more than if they shopped at their local mall. An environmental benefit only occurs 'if online shopping replaces 3.5 traditional shopping trips, or if 25 orders are delivered at the same time, or, if the distance traveled to where the purchase is made is more than 50 kilometers. Shopping online does not offer net environmental benefits unless these criteria are met.' The study was conducted by Newcastle University's Institution of Engineering and Technology, which blames the environmental impact of transportation, warning that 'policy makers must do their homework to ensure that rebound effects do not negate the positive benefits of their policy initiatives.' But one technology site notes the study was conducted in Britain, which could have an impact on its conclusions."

5 of 410 comments (clear)

  1. Begs the question. by RightSaidFred99 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Who shops online for environmental reasons?

  2. Kind of short on details by dracocat · · Score: 5, Insightful

    The article talked a lot about transportation costs. Were they just comparing transportation costs? What about the environmental impact of keeping the A/C running and lights going all day in the store?

    Very very short on details.

  3. Disagree by commodore64_love · · Score: 5, Insightful

    The postwoman is already driving past my house every day. It takes no extra gasoline for her to carry that latest Amazon book or Electronic Boutique game with her.

    Plus the freight trucks that move this crap across the country burn far less gas than if we all drove to the store. ~10,000 boxes carried in one truck is more efficient than 10,000 car trips.

    --
    "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." - historian Evelyn Beatrice Hall
    1. Re:Disagree by jrumney · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Plus the freight trucks that move this crap across the country burn far less gas than if we all drove to the store.

      Apparently goods are teleported into stores, so those large freight trucks are only involved when you buy things online.

      Really, the only variable is you driving to the store for a single purchase, vs a delivery driver including your house in their rounds (a slight detour from what they would have done anyway).

  4. How many orders ship on one UPS truck? by crovira · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Its not the end purchaser who realizes some environmental benefits, its the shipper.

    Its not about Joe Schmoe's environmental impact, its about Amazon and UPS and Fed Ex and USPS combined carbon footprint versus the environmental impact of all the Joe Schmoes out there.

    This was bogus science starting from a false premise.

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    MSBPodcast.com The opinions expressed here are my own. If you don't like 'em... Think up your own stuff.