The Environmental pollution It is generating catastrophes worldwide and is taking us to a “no return” point in the increase in temperatures. According to the Climate Research Program (PINCC) of the UNAM, this phenomenon would be even worse in Mexico, with a faster heating than the average, and exceeding 1.6 ºC.
Although recent studies theorize that electronic commerce would be less polluting than traditional trade, the reality is that the constant increase in purchases through the Internet (registered from the arrival of Pandemia) would be generating concern in the world for the massification of these tools.
Therefore, in this ecology article, we will talk about The importance of creating an ecological electronic commerce in Mexico.
E-commerce in Mexico
Mexico does not escape this reality that E-Commerce is experiencing, since according to information on the “online sales study 2022” of the Mexican Online Sales Association (AMVO), electronic commerce will grow about 27% during 2021. This would be bringing with it a phenomenon of contamination much greater than in previous years.
Already for 2018, The carbon footprint of companies As Amazon, it exceeded that of more than twenty countries in Europe. In Mexico, according to different sources, an increase in the waste generation as electronic commerce continues to advance In the territory.
These waste, for the most part, is made up of the materials used to wrap and protect shipments, stationery used for Branding and the use of fossil fuels for the sending of merchandise (either in airplanes, ships, vehicles, etc.). The poor disposition of many of these materials only worsens the situation.
Is all online consumption equally polluting?
Not in all industries the same thing happens, as the firm Oliver Wyman revealed, explaining that the fashion industry, for example, would contaminate more in its physical establishments. In this, unlike in other markets, Digitization has contributed to the decrease in waste generation.
This is because, although online consumption would be generating new waste in an accelerated way, traditional consumption also entails important pollution, either for electrical expenditure, product wrap, use of toxic cleaning products, staff transport, among many others.
That is why we have seen that many Textile sector brands would be investing to favor online purchaseeither by direct sale on e-commerce platforms, or by publication of exclusive Internet brochures, as can happen with Andrea’s 2022 catalog. Brands such as Macy’s, Decathlon or El Corte Inglés would also be expanding their digital presence.
How to make it sustainable?
Different alternatives have been proposed to reduce the contamination generated by the e-commerce, with some of the most innovative (but also more complex to apply massively) being the Use of reusable and recyclable packagingsuch as cardboard and plastic that meets these characteristics. This has generated controversy because some argue that these materials do not provide adequate protection, something that has not been proven.
Ideas for the use of shipments in which fossil fuel spending is minimized As, for example, it has been proposed to enhance Bicycle shipments in short distances and group shipments In long distances. This has also generated rejection in parts of society because it would imply longer delivery times.
E-commerce is an essential tool for the development of trade in Mexico and the world, however, if the necessary measures are not taken for ensure sustainable operationit can bring very negative consequences for the future.
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