LETTER | Before the Covid-19 pandemic, online presence and online shopping were already a must have service for businesses to remain competitive. 

Furthermore, a recent survey of about 3,700 consumers in nine emerging and developed economies shows that the pandemic has changed people's online shopping behaviours forever. However, between convenience and efficiency, plastic packaging, carbon emissions, and a large amount of waste produced, “exactly what is the cost of this emerging mode of consumption?”

Without a doubt, during the lockdown period, online shopping is the safest and most comfortable choice. Therefore, many of the elderly and housewives who did not use to shop online have also joined the online shopping trend, buying fresh ingredients and daily necessities from the Internet. On the other hand, many struggling retailers are also rapidly transforming through social media and online shopping platforms in order to survive.

A report shows that Malaysia’s e-commerce market is estimated to have grown by approximately 24.7 percent last year. It is predicted that the market will reach a transaction volume of US$12.6 billion (RM52.1 billion) in 2024 and grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.3 percent from 2020 to 2024. 

Perhaps some people may think that online shopping is more environmentally friendly than brick and mortar shopping, because online stores do not need to consume large amount of electricity and energy. In addition, online shopping does not require shoppers to commute to a shopping mall which can cut down carbon footprint.

Nevertheless, reality is always more complicated than ideal. For example, many door-to-door deliveries fail at the first delivery attempt, and the delivery person has to try the delivery a second or third time, which results in more carbon emissions than individuals driving out. 

Moreover, a German study shows that as many as one-third of online purchases were returned which also contributed to more carbon emissions. While another study also indicates that nearly US$326 million worth of goods were returned each year in the United States, of which 2 billion kilograms were eventually turned into landfill because they cannot be resold, resulting in the release of 13 tons of carbon dioxide.

I do not oppose online shopping nor overlook the benefits of it. However, a study shows about 45 percent of shoppers continue to spend on “non-essential items” and continue to purchase online during the lockdown period, such as fashion products and clothing. It is a shame that many netizens who are just addicted to shopping or simply shop to relieve stress (otherwise known as retail therapy) will pose a huge threat to the environment due to their bad habits and shopping behaviours.

Additionally, most reports also show that the refund rate of fashion products such as clothing is the highest among all retail products, because online shoppers cannot try on the items before buying. Therefore, most retailers tend to offer free return services to encourage shoppers to buy more in different sizes and colours to increase sales. As a result, many online shoppers will make arbitrary purchases and then return unsatisfied products to the merchants.

Imagine that most people will just cast away all the packaging that consists of thick plastic bags and layers of tape with foam blocks that are not recyclable. All express packaging will contribute to a large number of non-recyclable garbage after just one use. 

Although a Canadian founder who specialises in sustainable businesses said that online shopping can realise the idea of ​​being more environmentally friendly than physical shopping, but in reality, all countries are facing an environmental crisis due to the rapid development of online shopping. Obviously, "green online shopping" is largely dependent on the attitudes and habits of retailers and shoppers.

As consumers, we have the obligation and responsibility to play a mainstay role in this fast-developing consumer chain, and to do our part for our planet and future generations. For example, avoid impulsive shopping, reduce the return and refund rate, say no to "overpacking", recycle usable items and packaging, and properly dispose of unrecyclable items. 

On the other hand, retailers are encouraged to use high-tech software such as artificial intelligence, provide comprehensive and accurate product information to avoid customer requests to return products. In addition, retailers are encouraged to use e-vehicles to deliver goods, impose return and exchange surcharges, and use recyclable packaging to create a more environmentally friendly online shopping environment.

Finally, the trend of online shopping has become a part of our lives, and the way we shop will no longer be the same again in a post-Covid-19 world. Therefore, the key lies in the consumers’ ability to self-discipline and self-reflect on their own consumption value. We need to rethink and redefine what is "green consumption" and how to better educate the next generation to become a good global citizen.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.