Convenience at what cost?
Hands up. You did it! You ordered a plastic or single-use alternative online. Now you can’t wait for it to arrive.
Then it finally arrives on your doorstep, in that smiley Amazon box. You open it up, and what do you find? IT’S WRAPPED IN PLASTIC! OR you purchase a number of items at one time but when they arrive each item is in its own box. This is because those items aren’t coming from the same vendor or the same warehouse which means more packaging for us.
What the heck Amazon?! Why can’t they understand that you’re trying to save the planet here?
Amazon is certainly doing what they can to reduce their environmental impact by creating recyclable mailers and implementing other green initiatives. Their goal is to reach net zero carbon by 2040. Which is excellent! I’m just not convinced that a company whose business model is to ship as MUCH as possible, as FAST as possible, to as MANY people as possible at the LOWEST possible price is all that concerned with sustainability. Yes, consumers love it because it’s so convenient and it has literally everything, but that convenience comes at a cost.
Amazon makes its money on consumerism
People have to keep buying “stuff” in order for Amazon to remain viable. A sustainable lifestyle doesn’t support that business model. So why would you support a business that’s in the business of constantly creating more waste? You may realize, as your lifestyle becomes more sustainable, that you’re buying fewer non-essentials because you don’t need them and they just create waste (and take up space).
How is same-day shipping possible?
Items mass-produced across the globe are shipped and stored in Amazon's many warehouses. To accommodate those bottom-out prices they’re not often made in North America. Consider the emissions created by those shipments. How many of those items sitting in warehouses do you think will go unsold and ultimately get thrown “away”?
How are Amazon’s prices so low?
Depending on the item, Amazon may not even be making a profit, but driving that kind of traffic to their site is worth it. One factor reducing their prices may be how they treat their staff. Amazon has a reputation as a cutthroat work environment. There are a number of expectations and fees they put on their suppliers. I can’t tell you exactly how they keep their prices so low. From what I’ve read, Amazon is profit driven at any cost. Still think it’s worth the $5 you’re going to save?
How do Amazon’s low prices affect our economy?
Amazon and other big box stores distort people’s perception of price so that small businesses who are charging reasonable prices to keep their hand-made products or brick and mortar stores running seem outrageously marked up. Amazon is distorting customer expectations of not only price, but the entire shopping experience - people want it now, want it shipped fast and for free, and want to get everything in one place. This is frankly just not feasible for most businesses.
Next time you have a purchase to make, I strongly encourage you to get out of the habit of reaching for Amazon. Instead, look into where you can find it locally. It’s silly the number of times I’ve looked up some obscure item and found multiple stores in my area that carry it.
If you want to support a brand, purchase from their website. They get a much better cut than going through a third party like Amazon.
If you’re struggling to find a zero waste shop in your area, reach out to us and we’ll help you with your search. Also, there are many great online zero-waste markets.
I pick on Amazon in this post but this applies to all huge retailers who sell at bottom out prices. If no one can beat their prices, there’s a reason for that. It’s our job to be conscientious about who we support with our dollars. Don’t get me wrong, I understand that last-minute Christmas gift crunch but let’s make a promise to each other to make a better effort to avoid this platform and instead support local or less wasteful businesses.
If you’d like to do more reading on the “Amazon Effect” visit this resource.
