The top 10 eco-friendly things shoppers consider when buying online

A third of adults are ‘obsessed’ with buying items online for the thrill of a delivery – despite suffering from ‘green guilt’, a study has found.

Research of 2,000 adults revealed 48% claim the arrival of an item is the highlight of their day, though 35% worry about how green their delivery is.

Shoppers are becoming more in tune with eco concernsCredit: Getty

Avoiding poor quality items that are bad for the environment (51%), looking for ‘sustainable’ brands (46%) and consolidating purchases (45%) are just some of the ways people try and shop greener online.

But 27% admit they suffer from ‘green guilt’, with 43% wishing there was a simpler and greener way to package and return items.

Nancy Hobhouse, head of environmental, social and governance (ESG) at Hermes, which commissioned the research to mark its build on sustainability commitments, from trialling eCargo bike and pedestrian couriers, to offering packageless returns, said: “The shift to online shopping looks set to stay.

“We know people are concerned about sustainability and, as the research shows, are factoring this into their purchasing decisions which is great.

“However, delivery remains one of their concerns and as a responsible carrier, we recognise our impact on the environment and the role we have to play to be as sustainable as possible.”

The research also found nearly three quarters of respondents feel it is everyone’s responsibility to try and be green, with 64% feeling better using items they know are more sustainable.

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While 56% would be more inclined to shop with a brand they know has green processes in place for its customers.

And when buying from a sustainable brand, 40% named using green vehicles (e.g. EVs or low carbon) for deliveries was the most important factor.

It also emerged 73% expect the delivery company to ensure items are sent out in the best way possible for the environment.

And 59% want to be greener when having items delivered or returned, but just don’t know how.

Furthermore, 28% would be less inclined to send an item back because they know this could negatively affect the planet.

More than two fifths (41%) of those who took part in the survey, carried out via OnePoll, admitted they are ordering more items online than ever before, and wish there was a more sustainable way to have items delivered or returned.

Using sustainable packaging, returning an item with its original wrapping and choosing a delivery company which uses EVs or low carbon vehicle green options are the considerations shoppers make to be greener.

When asked about what is most important to them when buying from a sustainable brand, eco-friendly packaging, recycling programmes and green vehicles for delivery were the most popular.

Nancy Hobhouse from Hermes added: “The responsibility lies with us to ensure we deliver to our customers and clients in the greenest way possible.

“It’s why we offer collection or returns from local shops which reduces C02, and packageless returns, and we’ve invested in our fleet to have vehicles running on greener fuels at every stage of delivery.

“We’re committed to trialling innovative low carbon ways to deliver parcels – such as by eCargo bike or pedestrian couriers.

“However, we know that there’s more to do, and we will continue to innovate as part of our wider commitment to sustainability and ethics.”