Whether you like it or not, e-commerce is becoming increasingly popular as an easy and efficient shopping solution. But what impact does our online shopping have on the planet? The latest research shows that the so-called "brick and click" is the most ecological solution for the environment and the one that guarantees the best experience for both sellers and customers. This means that when we buy online we should always favor a hybrid purchasing system, i.e. choose to buy from physical stores that also have a network of online distribution channels.

Good consumer culture is the real key to the future of the earth. The emerging generations seem to be more sensitive to the ecological problem, but it is not always easy to find practical contributions. That's why this week intOndo suggests these 5 practical tips to reduce waste when shopping online.

1. Say no to fast shopping

The rapid development of online shopping has led to the spread of fast and not very reflective consumption. Fast food, fast fashion, fast delivery, are all related to this trend that encourages us to buy more than we really need. It's easy: you fill your online shopping cart without thinking about it too much, you click, you get direct delivery to your doorsteps, and, if you don't like what you bought, you can easily send it back without additional costs, but causing twice the pollution.... Our first advice is to stop and think before you make your purchase: if you are, for example, looking for a table for your kitchen, browse online, compare dimensions, and take a few extra days before confirming your choice. At the same time, use this pause to maybe choose the chairs to match the table as well, and you will be able to make a single purchase, which means one package and one shipment instead of two.

2. The "4 R" rule

Our second advice is summarized in the "4 R's" rule, which could also become 5 R's considering the suggestion we gave you before: reflect before you buy. However, the basic idea of this rule is to always keep in mind that buying a new object is not always the only solution and that buying a disposable object is wrong. Reduce energy consumption through reuse, restoration, and recycling of existing materials. More than a trend Vintage has become today a lifestyle. Investing in good furnishing from the 50s or a lamp from the 70s is a simple way to prioritize the environment - that outside and also our home environment. There are so many options just a click away, intOndo.com is living proof.

3. Conscious Shipping

When we purchase an item online we must always consider shipping. Not everyone realizes it, but when we select our chosen method, we have the possibility to make a more or less green choice. So when we select the appropriate field, let's not only think about the shipping cost or the most convenient timing. A responsible consumer should automatically know that by skipping the overnight shipping he will significantly reduce waste. Many sites today suggest which shipping method is the most sustainable, i.e. it allows the seller and logistics service to optimize their loads, wasting less on packaging and transportation.

4. Checking facts before buying

Every purchase should begin with an in-depth examination of the product: not only how it is made, who designed it, and who sells it, but also what are the characteristics of its production chain. There are now a series of websites and apps to certify consumer goods manufacturers: just enter the name of a brand to understand how ethical it is. Instead of choosing the first brand that comes to mind - usually the one that has bombarded you the most with online advertising - think about giving priority to brands that put environmental protection first.

5. Buy local and buy vintage

Rethinking your shopping in an eco-friendly way means dealing with distances: the journey an object has to make to reach us, or that we make to reach it. In this sense, online shopping can be tricky: on the one hand, by choosing a consumer good online we save the energy it would take to see or try that object in person, on the other hand, it may be that we choose something that is miles and miles away when our neighbor or the neighborhood store might sell a similar one. That's why we advise you to always enter your position among the search fields, to support small shops or local vendors, and give a second chance to second hand using reliable e-commerce platforms that facilitate buying and selling dynamics.