Hundreds of millions of fellow US residents buy from Amazon, so this next item addresses how we use its services. Amazon Prime makes it remarkably easy and convenient to place an order on a whim. That shipment can produce a lot of packaging and take a considerable amount of energy to deliver to you. Those aggregate effects may still be more efficient than taking a private car to the local store, but it’s easy to slightly change your habits to use Amazon efficiently.
(9) USE AMAZON WISELY
Not on the IPCC list, but important for me is to change how I use Amazon. I need to limit the number and frequency of orders so that the amount of packaging and transportation required drops. That delay will also (presumably) give me time to minimize impulse shopping and items that might need to be returned. I need to select the longest time for delivery as it allows the delivery service to plan its route and truck contents more efficiently, which saves energy. I already recycle or reuse as much of the packaging as possible, but I need to check for the occasional offer of alternative packaging that’s more environmentally friendly. Altho it won’t affect the amount of energy consumed, I also need to be aware of alternative sources that I can reach by walking.
After writing this, I saw an article pointing out that buying from Amazon or other internet vendors only saves energy if you don’t also shop at brick and mortar stores. If you use a vehicle to do that shopping, that conclusion is correct. But if you shop at local stores that you can get to/from by walking, the total fossil fuel energy consumed doesn’t increase.
As always, suggestions and comments much appreciated.
Abycats' Thoughts 