Pollution fears over ‘sofa shopping’
ENVIRONMENT: A surge in the number of ‘sofa shoppers’ using online subscription delivery services to buy items such as vegetables and toiletries has sparked fears it could contribute to air pollution.
A SURGE in the number of socalled ‘sofa shoppers’ using online subscription delivery services to buy items such as vegetables and toiletries has sparked fears that the trend could contribute to worsening air pollution levels.
Experts say the ways that subscription boxes are sent to people’s homes should be carefully managed to try to minimise the impact that extra fleets of vans – many of them diesel – could have on the environment.
According to new research by Royal Mail, the market for subscription delivered boxes of goods is set to soar in value to £1bn a year by 2022 – up from £583m in 2017.
Companies such as Abel & Cole use the model to deliver weekly fruit and veg to customers, while subscription boxes for toiletries and beauty products have also proved popular.
Other companies such as Hello Fresh and Mindful Chef deliver pre-measured ingredients for subscribers to prepare meals.
A survey of 2,000 shoppers found that 27.4 per cent of UK consumers are already signed up to a subscription box service, rising to 52.1 per cent among 25 to 34-year-olds.
The survey found that four in 10 consumers who do not use a subscription box service intend to join one in the future. And six in 10 businesses also intend to invest in new or existing subscription services in the next year, a study of 53 directors and senior managers found.
A spokesman for Royal Mail said: “To date, the boom in subscription box services has largely been driven by start-ups.
“This forecast of further growth offers an opportunity for existing businesses and budding entrepreneurs to get out there and offer their own services.”
But, voicing concern at how rapidly-changing shopping habits could affect the environment, Friends of the Earth air pollution campaigner Jenny Bates said: “If an increase in subscription services is leading to more diesel vans on our roads, then that would be bad news for people across the country already choking on dirty air.
“Air pollution already leads to tens of thousands of early deaths in the UK and is stunting the development of our children’s lungs.
“However, locally produced food, delivered once a week or fortnight, can mean fewer miles travelled if it replaces people each driving to the shops on their own.
“As consumer trends have shifted to getting more things delivered at home or the office, it’s vital that companies at least use the cleanest possible vehicles for the sake of all our health – and an alternative is for people to collect their deliveries at local collection points such as newsagents when already doing other shopping.”
Research carried out earlier this year by delivery management company Whistl found value for money and convenience were the main reasons why customers use subscription services.
The research also identified Sheffield as one of the UK’s capitals for making health-conscious food purchases via subscription, with 25 per cent of those surveyed from the city being registered with Graze Box and almost 10 per cent signed up to Vegan Kind.
Air pollution already leads to tens of thousands of early deaths in the UK. Friends of the Earth air pollution campaigner Jenny Bates.