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Is online shopping packaging waste a threat to the environment?

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  • Kim, Yeonsu
  • Kang, Jisoo
  • Chun, Hyunbae

Abstract

A surge in packaging waste from online shopping is raising environmental concerns. In this paper, we examine the effect of online shopping on packaging waste generation. Using county-level waste generation and online shopping data, we find that online shopping generates 4.8 times more packaging waste than offline shopping given the same amount of spending. Our results suggest that a new policy is necessary to prevent further environmental damage due to the packaging waste from online shopping.

Suggested Citation

  • Kim, Yeonsu & Kang, Jisoo & Chun, Hyunbae, 2022. "Is online shopping packaging waste a threat to the environment?," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 214(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecolet:v:214:y:2022:i:c:s0165176522000684
    DOI: 10.1016/j.econlet.2022.110398
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Elbert Dijkgraaf & Raymond Gradus, 2020. "Post-collection Separation of Plastic Waste: Better for the Environment and Lower Collection Costs?," Environmental & Resource Economics, Springer;European Association of Environmental and Resource Economists, vol. 77(1), pages 127-142, September.
    2. Birgit Aschhoff & Tobias Schmidt, 2008. "Empirical Evidence on the Success of R&D Cooperation—Happy Together?," Review of Industrial Organization, Springer;The Industrial Organization Society, vol. 33(1), pages 41-62, August.
    3. Deepak Sivaraman & Sergio Pacca & Kimberly Mueller & Jessica Lin, 2007. "Comparative Energy, Environmental, and Economic Analysis of Traditional and E‐commerce DVD Rental Networks," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 11(3), pages 77-91, July.
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    Cited by:

    1. Song, Jiawen & Cai, Lanhui & Yuen, Kum Fai & Wang, Xueqin, 2023. "Exploring consumers’ usage intention of reusable express packaging: An extended norm activation model," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 72(C).
    2. Adibfar, Alireza & Gulhare, Siddhartha & Srinivasan, Siva & Costin, Aaron, 2022. "Analysis and modeling of changes in online shopping behavior due to Covid-19 pandemic: A Florida case study," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 126(C), pages 162-176.
    3. Hokey Min, 2023. "Leveraging Drone Technology for Last-Mile Deliveries in the e-Tailing Ecosystem," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-11, July.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    E-commerce; Environment; Packaging waste; Credit card;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • Q51 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Valuation of Environmental Effects
    • L81 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Services - - - Retail and Wholesale Trade; e-Commerce
    • D12 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Consumer Economics: Empirical Analysis

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