Consumers are thrilled by the speed and flexibility of e-commerce. But the proliferation of new retail channels and choices is changing their purchasing behavior, and overall, that’s taking a negative toll on the environment.

Online purchases in the US neared $400 billion in 2016 and now make up 8% of overall retail spending and up to 40% in some categories, such as consumer electronics. As shoppers move online en masse, their expectations also are increasing. Instead of waiting a week to receive a purchase, they want it tomorrow—or even today. That means a sharp rise in home deliveries and individual packages.

Many retailers have begun to reduce the carbon footprint of their brick-and-mortar shops and distribution networks. But few have examined how e-commerce trends are transforming their carbon footprint. That’s no surprise: The proliferation of purchasing channels and delivery options makes the task far more challenging. When a consumer buys goods online, the main factors influencing the total carbon emissions—namely, last-mile delivery and packaging—are more difficult to measure.

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Last-mile/E-commerce onderwerp op Brainpack 2017

De problematiek rond duurzaamheid en de last-mile/E-commerce is een belangrijk thema op het evenement ‘Brainpack 2017’ dat Moonen Packaging op 1 juni a.s. organiseert. Wijnand Jongen (CEO Thuiswinkel.org) ) zal als ‘captain’ deelnemen aan een discussietafel om samen met experts en businessleaders tot oplossingen te komen voor onopgeloste problemen. Ook zal hij daarna als spreker optreden. Meer informatie over Brainpack.