In today’s digital world, online shopping is here to stay. The ease with which we can order, view and return items has drastically changed our shopping behavior. Unfortunately, this convenience often leads to careless returns, which negatively impacts sustainability and costs.
Unopened and Used Items Returns
It is not uncommon for customers to return items without even opening the packaging. Some items are even returned used, without pardon. This is not only frustrating for sellers, but also harmful to the environment and the economy.
Improvising with Packaging
We regularly see returns where items are returned without a shipping box, or in alternative packaging such as a cereal box, shoe box, or even gift wrap. In extreme cases, we receive items covered in earwax or other forms of contamination. This makes the items unsellable and contributes to unnecessary waste.
An Example: The Returned Phone
Today we even received a landline phone in a plastic bag as a return shipment. There was no shipping box, no product packaging and no instruction manual. Just the phone with a few cords. These types of returns are particularly problematic because they render the product unusable for resale.
Incomplete Packaging
In addition, we often receive return shipments with incomplete packaging. These packages are remarkably neatly re-wrapped and sealed as if nothing happened. This makes it difficult to resell the items and leads to additional costs and waste.
Why This Behavior?
This raises an important question: why is it so difficult to order only what you really need and fully support? Why not call if you’re not sure you’re purchasing the right item? And why not go to the store to try on the item if you’re not sure of the size?
The Consequences for Sustainability
Ordering multiple colors of the same item, only to end up keeping one and returning the rest, is a practice that is becoming increasingly common. While this may seem convenient for the consumer, it has serious sustainability implications. Each return means extra transportation, extra packaging and ultimately more waste.
A Call for Change
We all want our planet to last longer. Yet many people seem unaware of the consequences of their shopping behavior. Carelessly returning products not only contributes to a larger carbon footprint, but also increases costs for businesses. These costs are ultimately passed on to consumers, making items more expensive.
How Can We Change This Behavior?
We seriously wonder: why are people so selfish in their buying behavior? And more importantly, how can we change this behavior? It is time for collective awareness and responsibility. Only by working together can we ensure that our planet lasts longer and that we have a more sustainable future.
Call to Action
We invite everyone to contribute thoughts on ways to address this returns issue. How can we make consumers aware of the impact of their returns? How can we motivate them to order only what they really need and be careful with the products they return?
Let’s work together for a more sustainable future. Every little bit helps, and together we can make a big difference.
Sincerely,
Edwin North and Sandra van Spil
