The True Cost of Free Shipping and Returns

What this episode covers

There's no such thing as free ... not even two day shipping from Amazon. Today we're discussing a consumer norm we very often forget has environmental and supply chain impacts: free shipping and free returns. We discuss the immediate emissions and packaging waste, of course, but also textile waste - where do our return things truly go? Resources: TEDTalk by Arana Mehta, "Where do your online returns go?" Why ‘free’ shipping isn’t free (CNBC) Why your online returns may end up in landfill—and what can be done to fix it (Fast Company) The unsustainable cost of free returns (Vogue Business) Why fashion brands destroy billions’ worth of their own merchandise every year (Vox) Thanks to our sponsors today! FactorMeals.com/ecochic50 for 50% off CarawayHome.com/ECO for 10% off Sign up for our biweekly newsletter here!! Sign up for our community spotlight here!! Let's connect - @ecochicpodcast on Instagram + @lauraediez on Tiktok. Email me at [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of Characters?

This episode is 25 minutes long.

When was this Characters episode published?

This episode was published on September 16, 2023.

What is this episode about?

There's no such thing as free ... not even two day shipping from Amazon. Today we're discussing a consumer norm we very often forget has environmental and supply chain impacts: free shipping and free returns. We discuss the immediate emissions and...

Can I download this Characters episode?

Yes, you can download this episode by clicking the download button on the episode player, or subscribe to the podcast in your preferred podcast app for automatic downloads.