Is shopping from your smartphone sustainable?

Blog post written by Lucy Jones. In her day job, Lucy works closely with businesses to help them optimize their eco credentials. Away from the office, she’s a passionate blogger, and most enjoys creating content on the topic of sustainability.

For many of us, smartphones have become an integral part of our daily lives, revolutionizing the way we communicate, work, and even shop. With just a few taps on our screens, we can browse through countless products, place orders, and have them delivered to our doorsteps. But amidst the convenience and accessibility, it’s important to question the sustainability of this modern shopping habit. Is shopping from your smartphone a sustainable choice? Let’s delve into this topic and explore the implications of mobile shopping on the environment.

The Smartphone Life Cycle

Simply owning a smartphone, whether or not you even choose to browse stores on it, can contribute to your carbon footprint. In fact, it’s thought that between 85% to 95% of a smartphone’s carbon emissions are generated during the production processes. This is largely due to the fact that smartphones are often made with precious metals and minerals that are mined – the process of which can lead to deforestation, displaced wildlife, and environmental contamination from waste and byproducts.

Packaging and waste

One of the significant concerns associated with mobile shopping is the packaging and waste generated from online purchases. Each item ordered typically comes packaged in cardboard boxes, bubble wrap, plastic wrapping, and other materials to protect it during transit, and while these materials are necessary to ensure the safe delivery of products, they also contribute to the growing problem of packaging waste. The accumulation of packaging materials adds to the already overwhelming amount of waste that ends up in landfills and contributes to pollution in our natural environment.

Delivery and transportation

Another aspect to consider is the environmental impact of delivery and transportation. When you shop from your smartphone and your purchases are delivered to your home, that may involve various forms of transportation – this inevitably leads to increased fuel consumption and emissions, especially if the items are individually packed and multiple deliveries are made to the same location. The carbon footprint associated with the transportation of goods can be significant, especially when we consider the global scale of online shopping.

Impulse buying and overconsumption

The ease and convenience of mobile shopping can also contribute to unsustainable habits of impulse buying and overconsumption. No matter where you find yourself, with just a few taps, you can add items to your virtual shopping cart without much thought or consideration. This ease of purchase can encourage a culture of instant gratification, where buying new products becomes a habit rather than a conscious decision. Overconsumption of goods can not only put a strain on your personal finances but also results in increased resource consumption, waste generation, and a harmful environmental impact.

The role of e-commerce companies

E-commerce companies play a crucial role in shaping the sustainability of mobile shopping, as they have the opportunity to implement sustainable practices and initiatives that mitigate the environmental impact of their operations. This could include using eco-friendly packaging materials, optimizing delivery routes to reduce transportation emissions, and promoting responsible consumption through awareness campaigns and product recommendations.

What can you do? Make conscious choices as a consumer

While mobile shopping can contribute to your carbon footprint, there are ways you can minimize your impact as an individual. For example, you could choose to shop with retailers committed to doing their bit to supporting sustainability efforts, such as using biodegradable packaging, purchasing carbon offsets, or using a more eco-friendly mode of transport to make their deliveries. Just be aware of some of the signs of greenwashing, to be sure you’re truly choosing retailers that are in line with your planet-friendly values.

Similarly, when making the decision to purchase a product, take some time to compare the implications of shopping online versus in-store. If you can reach the store on foot, that will be the more sustainable option in comparison to ordering your product online.

While shopping from your smartphone offers convenience and accessibility, it’s essential to consider the sustainability implications of doing so in comparison to shopping in-store. Mobile shopping comes with many environmental challenges, however, with conscious choices and responsible actions from both us as consumers and the e-commerce companies we shop with, we can strive to make mobile shopping more sustainable. By supporting eco-friendly practices and embracing responsible consumption habits, you can enjoy the convenience of mobile shopping while minimizing your impact on the environment.