The environmental impact of Black Friday: numbers and causes
400,000 tons of CO2 eq released into the atmosphere: this is the figure relating to the environmental impact in Italy during the Black Friday week, according to research by Italian Society of Environmental Medicine (SIMA).
What are the causes of this sharp increase in emissions?
- Intensive production: to meet the increase in demand due to the fall in prices, there is an increase in production levels, which involves significant energy consumption.
- Waste of products: sales push many people to buy goods even if they are unnecessary or in the short term, leading to a waste of resources and an increase in emissions associated with the production and disposal of these goods.
- Increase in transport: a large number of consumers go to shopping malls and physical stores. This leads to an increase in road traffic and car trips, and therefore in emissions deriving from fuel consumption.
- Digital emissions: 71.72% of Italians buy their products online, dedicating hours to their PC or cell phone, often keeping dozens of windows open, to compare prices and products. The intensive use of the devices therefore leads to an increase in digital emissions.
- Unsustainable packaging: many products are individually packaged or in multipacks to promote sales. These packages are often made from plastic materials and generate waste after use.
- Freight transport: there are several other causes that lead to an increase in emissions during the week of Black Friday, but this is probably one of the most significant.
According to a Transport & Environment research, in 2022, the parcel truck Towards warehouses and stores across Europe they have released into the atmosphere 1.2 million tons of CO2 (almost 600,000 tons more than an average week, or well the 94% more).
In addition to these, there are the means for delivering online purchases, which, as we have seen, represent the majority of purchases in Italy.
Sustainability and Black Friday: the increasing attention of consumers and consumers
How do you confirm a research by Boston Consulting Group (BCG), fortunately we are starting to notice a Increased attention With regard to environmental sustainability, in particular by Generation Z and Millennials.
Already in 2022, in fact:
- the 51% Some consumers said they wanted to buy more local brands or products;
- the 46% claimed to pay more attention to sustainable packaging;
- the 40% He said he was shopping at more responsible companies and retailers.
This is also confirmed by an Unguess-Scalapay research carried out on a panel of 1500 consumers between Italy, Spain and France: the research shows that 1 in 2 consumers Consider thedecisive environmental impact in the choice of What and where to buy during Black Friday.
May it also be thanks to the constant growth ofGreen Friday initiative?
What is Green Friday?
Green Friday It is a movement that aims to Oppose consumerism Unrestrained by Black Friday.
The initiative stems from a growing awareness of the environmental and social damage associated with this day of discounts, and aims to sensitize consumers and consumers on Problems associated with excessive consumerism.
Over the years, the Green Friday has gained popularity, and more and more sustainability-conscious companies have joined the movement to promote a more sustainable and conscious shopping, although in different ways:
- some companies, to oppose the consumerism given by Black Friday, decide not to make discounts and, in some cases, to donate part of the revenues related to sales to environmental protection projects;
- some decide to remain closed and not to sell any type of product during the week of Black Friday, in the hope of completely dissociating themselves from this phenomenon of consumerism;
- still others decide to offer discounts on products with particular attention to environmental impact or that have a positive impact on the environment.
Want to learn how your business can actively fight against Black Friday's consumerism?
Find out in the infographic below.
