The Environmental Impact of Our Activities
Our environmental work aims to minimize negative and promote positive environmental impacts. We are actively looking for ways to improve energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from our activities.
In terms of direct environmental impact, key issues include responsible sales and the provision of services that support sustainable consumption, energy choices and energy efficiency in our locations, packaging material choices and efficient use, energy loss minimization, and waste minimization and sorting - from the loading dock to the office. Indirect environmental impacts, on the other hand, relate to the manufacture, transportation and use of the products we sell. We implement the due diligence principle by using well-known partners, either directly or through a network, and by ensuring these operators have the necessary certifications for their activities.
We minimize our impact on climate
All the electricity we purchase is produced with 100% renewable energy: either certified hydroelectricity or solar electricity produced on the roofs of the stores. In 2021, we switched to the use of renewable district heating in our operations in Helsinki, thanks to which the carbon dioxide emissions of our own operations decreased by 34% from 2020, and 84% from 2021. In 2022, the emissions of our own operations were 52 tons of carbon dioxide (tCO2). Our goal is to be carbon neutral in our own operations by the end of 2025, and we will continue our efforts to achieve the goal.
However, the biggest climate impact of our business comes from indirect emissions along the value chain. In 2022, those emissions were around 210,00 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO2e), covering 99.95% of our total emissions. The biggest emission sources were the manufacture of the products we sell and the energy consumption during their use. Read more about the climate impact of our operations.
We Recycle with You
Did you know that all our stores accept electronic waste (or, waste electrical and electronic equipment, WEEE) of all sizes, batteries and accumulators without any obligation to buy? In 2023, we collected a total of 211 tons of WEEE, including WEEE collected from customers and from our own operations. This high number shows that our customers are taking action to recycle waste, which is important for the reuse of valuable materials and the safe treatment of hazardous waste.
All waste from our own operations is also sorted. For example, we ensure our staff facilities have appropriate recycling bins and carefully sort cardboard, plastics and hazardous waste in our stores and warehouses. In 2023, waste was fully recovered and the majority could be recycled as materials or reused with a recycling rate of 75%. The remaining 25% was diverted to energy production.
Better Packaging Materials
As an online retailer, the packaging materials we use have a significant environmental impact. We send thousands of orders every day, and we try to use the most environmentally friendly packaging materials and to pack them efficiently. When we send orders, we always use the product's own packaging wherever possible and avoid unnecessary additional packaging. We avoid plastic in packaging and use cardboard recyclable bags, boxes and fillings, so any package ordered from us can be easily recycled at home.
We are committed to actions to reduce the consumption of plastic bags. Of the options we sell, we recommend reusable shopping bags made of renewable Paptic material as the best option, but we also offer plastic bags made of 80% recycled material. We also encourage our customers to use reusable bags.
In recent years, we have significantly reduced the amount of paper we use, for example by reducing the circulation of our advertising leaflets, the number of weeks of distribution and by thinning the thickness of the paper used for printing. The paper used for our advertising leaflets is responsibly produced and contains at least 80% wood fiber with PEFC or FSC certification for sustainable forest management.
Environmental Impact of Transportation
You can shop with us either in-store or online. We aim to give our customers a wide range of product shipping options to choose from. You can pick up your order directly from our store or our pick-up warehouse and choose a pick-up time that suits you. You can also have your order shipped directly to your doorstep or to a pick-up location of your choice — in this case, shipping is handled by our logistics partner.
All methods of transportation cause some emissions and environmental impacts. The way in which orders are delivered and picked up also has an impact on the scale of emissions. It is our job to provide options that minimize the negative environmental impact.
Did you know that online shopping can be a good way of making purchases from a climate perspective? An increasing proportion of our partners' distribution transports are carried out with emission-free electric vehicles or cars that refuel with biodiesel. Compared to a shopping trip with your own car, transport to your home or pick-up location can be a good solution. However, the most important thing is what you buy, i.e. make thoughtful purchases. Read more about the climate impact of our operations.
Returns Find a New Owner at Our Outlet
We do everything we can to help our customers choose the right product to minimize returns — only 0.9 % of the products we sell end up being returned. If, for one reason or another, an unwanted item finds its way into your shopping cart, we won't let it go to waste: these products will find a new owner either in store or online through our Outlet Store (in Finnish). Every product return will be checked before being made available for sale at the Outlet, and the new selling price is determined based on the condition of the product on an ABCD scale. At our Outlet, we sell products that have been opened or tried within the return or warranty period, for example. Naturally, unopened products will be returned to sale as normal. In addition to customer returns, our Outlet also sells discontinued products and single items. Even our Outlet products are covered by a minimum six-month performance guarantee.
The Effect of Circular Economy Measures on the Life Cycle of Products
We promote the longevity of products, e.g. by means of swapping, reselling used products and offering various maintenance services. Typically for the trade sector, the largest part of Verkkokauppa.com's carbon footprint, 77 %, is caused by manufacturing of the products. By extending the life cycle of the products, we can reduce the need of manufacturing new products, and at the same time reduce the emissions caused byt the manufacturing and disposal of the products.
Electronic devices use various valuable an rare natural resources. The manufactoring of these materials can cause harmful impacts for the nature and be a risk for local human rights. By keeping current products in circulation for longer, we operate efficiently, and can reduce the need for mined and other natural resources.