According to a Germany-wide study by Box Inc and YouGov, almost half of those surveyed consider traditional local retail to be more sustainable than online retail.
The Germany-wide survey conducted by YouGov on behalf of the Swedish start-up Box Inc The study came to the following conclusion: 46 per cent of respondents believe that online retail is not sustainable, while 44 per cent consider it more sustainable to shop in shops. The main reasons for this are the Transport methods for ordered goods and packaging waste.
For the reduction of CO2-emissions is the responsibility of online retailers, according to the respondents. The study also analysed which measures could contribute to an improvement. These include the Optimisation of transport methods and returnsthe use of sustainable, recyclable packaging and a CO2-equalisation.
46 per cent of respondents believe that e-commerce is not a sustainable form of shopping. Only 13 per cent believe that ordering online is more environmentally friendly than buying in a shop.
Returns are viewed critically
Respondents were particularly critical of the transport methods used for online orders and returned goods, which require additional transport: The majority of them believe that the Transport and shipping (49 per cent) and returns (73 per cent) do not make online retail sustainable. 59 per cent of consumers believe that environmentally friendly delivery vans are the key to sustainable transport.
They also have various ideas on how to reduce the returns rate: 29 per cent of respondents said that they would return e-commerce products less often if they could pay for the returns would have to be.
Sustainable packaging is the be-all and end-all
In addition to transport and returns, respondents also focussed on mail order packaging. Consumers (68 per cent) agree on one point in particular: plastic packaging has the greatest negative impact on sustainability. Instead, they find that the Packaging recyclable (57 per cent) or made of paper (40 per cent) should be corrugated cardboard or cardboard, for example. Over half (53 per cent) of respondents think it is more sustainable if the same packaging can also be used for any returns.
YouGov surveyed over 2000 consumers on behalf of Box Inc
Despite the broad social discourse on CO2-footprint a quarter (25 per cent) of respondents do not know what it is all about - but the majority have a good or relatively good understanding of it. A high proportion of respondents (28 per cent) state that they for the CO2-Pay for the transport of the order would. However, the majority are not interested in this and believe that online retailers are responsible.
The study was conducted by YouGov on behalf of Box Inc carried out. The survey took place between 21 and 23 April 2021 as part of an online survey. The Sample consisted of 2,084 consumers in Germany.
SourceBox Inc
