The growth in online shopping, driven by enticing same-day shipping deals and at-home convenience, has boosted e-commerce by nearly 25% in the past year. This data comes from a study by Slice Intelligence.
However, our online shopping habits are leading to an increase in cardboard waste. Everything from footwear to food, makeup kits to meals, the surge in packages is noticeably affecting the type of materials gathered at our recycling facilities.
Recycling centers handle approximately 1625 tons of materials every day.
Rather than sourcing cardboard from retail outlets and supermarkets, an increasing volume of cardboard is now coming from residential buildings.
“This is a significant shift. We see variations in the recycling flow quite frequently, but this is a major one,” observed Reed. Although the total volume of cardboard remains the same, the individual packages are smaller, and their numbers have increased.
Experts in the recycling industry assert that as consumers receive more direct deliveries, they recycle less and discard more. This is partly due to confusion about what can be recycled. A few years ago, consumers recycled less than 7% of all plastic films and wraps. The average recycling rate for all non-compostable packaging was under 25%, according to Resource Recycling Systems.
Companies that ship these packages, along with the consumers who receive them, can play a part in improving this situation.
“We request that mail order businesses focus on reducing their packaging waste,” stated a recycling facility manager. “We also encourage consumers to express their concerns to these businesses, and to favor products that use less or recyclable packaging.”
Table: The Impact of E-Commerce on Recycling
| Year | Percentage Growth in E-Commerce | Average Recycling Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Last Year | 25% | Less than 25% |
FAQ
Q1: What’s the effect of online shopping on recycling?A1: The surge in online shopping has led to increased cardboard waste, changing the materials collected at recycling centers.
Q2: Where is the majority of cardboard now coming from?A2: Increasingly, cardboard waste is originating from residential buildings due to online shopping deliveries.
Q3: Are we recycling less because of online shopping?A3: As per industry experts, the rise in direct deliveries has led to decreased recycling and more waste.
Q4: What’s the recycling rate for non-compostable packaging?A4: A few years back, the average recycling rate for all non-compostable packaging was under 25%.
Q5: How can we improve the situation?A5: Both mail order businesses and consumers can help by focusing on reducing packaging waste and advocating for products with less or recyclable packaging.
Steps to Reduce Packaging Waste
- Express concerns to businesses about packaging waste
- Opt for products with less or recyclable packaging
- Encourage businesses to focus on waste reduction