Can eCommerce Be Sustainable? [Infographic]

Brian Wallace September 30, 2021

Successful businesses are those that hope to operate for generations to come. Future operations are not secure unless the planet itself is habitable. eBay is one company that recognizes this problem. The online shopping platform is working to integrate environmental best practices into their business model. They are investing in clean energy for their offices, diverting waste from landfills, and using water efficiently.

eBay also encourages responsible consumption through the resale of items on their platform. Around the world, resale extends the life of products, contributing to a robust circular economy that cuts down on waste. In 2020, the sale of pre-owned electronics and apparel on eBay conserved 720,000 metric tons of carbon emissions.

Beyond ensuring its own survival, eBay cares about using its platform for the good of the world. As an organization, eBay supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). They align their efforts around the 6 most relevant SDGs that reflect material issues and enable eBay to responsibly grow their business. These SDGs are: gender equality, affordable and clean energy, decent work and economic growth, responsible consumption and production, climate action, and partnerships for the goals.

In addition to the steps mentioned above, eBay’s support of small businesses and nonprofits exists in the context of the UN’s defined goals. With programs like Up & Running and Seller School, eBay empowers small businesses to establish themselves in the world. Recently, eBay has teamed up with McDonald’s to purchase power from Louisiana’s largest solar project to date. eBay has also added the Samsung S20 Ultra to their certified refurbished program, encouraging customers to buy the phone used.

Ensuring the planet’s future doesn’t have to conflict with a company’s desire to be profitable. If anything, companies should see green initiatives as an investment in their future: a normal operation.

Learn more about how eCommerce can be sustainable in the infographic below:

Infographic Source: eBay

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