Welcome to the festive season! A time of cheer, connection, and… unrelenting consumerism. While I’ll admit I’m a bit of a bah-humbug when it comes to Christmas (the endless capitalism just gets my goat), I do love thoughtful presents—like the gift of health or education.
I made a promise to myself post-lockdown that I would minimise buying anything online as I was growing increasingly concerned at the huge damage it was causing both our environment and local economy.
Of course, not everything can be bought locally. Online shopping sure can be convenient BUT it’s time to pull back the curtain on its real impact so that we can hopefully be more mindful in our consumerism.
In this Edition we discuss:
The Dangers of Online Shopping
A Mini Gift Guide with a difference
The Healthy Home Podcast
The Hidden Dangers of Online Shopping:
1. Compulsive Online Shopping Disorder: The New Addiction
Did you know there’s an actual condition called Compulsive Online Shopping Disorder?
Algorithms are designed to lure us in with endless scrolling, impulse buys, and discounts that seem too good to pass up. This isn’t just bad for our wallets; it’s terrible for our mental health, fostering a cycle of instant gratification followed by guilt or regret.
2. A Crisis for Communities
Online shopping isn’t just about convenience….it has consequences. When we buy from mega online retailers, we run small businesses into the ground. Local shops are more than just places to pick up a loaf of bread or enjoy a coffee, they’re hubs of connection, laughter, and interaction. These face-to-face exchanges are essential for social cohesion, and without them, we lose the verbal and non-verbal fabric that ties communities together. This is having a huge effect on the epidemic of loneliness that we have in the UK as our lives become increasingly isolated and disconnected.
Studies have shown that strong community ties are linked to happiness and even longevity. So when you shop local, you’re not just buying a product; you’re investing in your own wellbeing.
3. Waste Wonderland: The Dark Side of Returns
Think your online returns are restocked onto shelves? Think again. Most returned items end up in landfills because companies would rather save money than reintegrate those goods into their supply chains. In 2020 alone, 5 billion tonnes of waste came from shopping returns. This is just utterly insane in my opinion!
I stopped purchasing anything from Amazon when after receiving an incorrect item from them they told me just to dump it in the bin rather than return it!
According to Oceana, Amazon generated 465 million lbs of packaging waste in 2020 alone. And use 3.9 billion plastic bags annually just to handle returns—bags destined to clog up our ecosystems for centuries to come.
4. The Packaging Problem
A report showed that 2,000 Amazon returns were processed in a single day in just one U.P.S. drop off location in the U.S. Each item required its own plastic bag. Multiply this across the globe, and you start to see the staggering environmental cost of our obsession with convenience. And all those cardboard boxes? While technically recyclable, many don’t make it through the recycling process, instead piling up in landfills or contributing to deforestation.
5. A Community-Centred Solution
Instead of hitting “Buy Now,” why not take a stroll to your local shops? By doing so, you’re supporting your neighbours, reducing your carbon footprint, and engaging in meaningful social exchanges. Shopping locally isn’t just better for the planet; it’s better for you. Community is the secret ingredient to happiness, and keeping it alive during the festive season is one of the best gifts you can give.
I took most of the shocking figures above from a wonderful podcast by Darin Olien, the author of the book Fatal Conveniences and a passionate defender of the planet! Check out the full podcast here:
How to Make a Difference
Here’s how to celebrate the season of giving without compromising your values—or the planet:
Prioritise Local: Whether it’s a handmade gift or a seasonal treat, supporting local businesses helps sustain your community.
Gift Experiences: Instead of “stuff,” give the gift of health or education—a yoga class, a cooking workshop, or even a book that inspires sustainable living.
Thoughtful Shipping: By accepting slower shipping options and consolidating purchases in one shipment, we can save hugely on carbon emissions. Also, only use compostable materials to make returns.
Don’t purchase clothing: As it can be difficult to get clothing sizing right without trying things on, apparently clothing returns contribute to the vast majority of returns.
Embrace Imperfection: Not every gift needs to be shiny or new. Vintage, second-hand, and upcycled items are not only unique but also eco-friendly.
Online shopping may seem like a quick fix for your gifting woes, but its hidden costs are too steep to ignore. From destroying small businesses to clogging up our landfills with returns and plastic, it’s a habit that harms both our planet and our communities. This year, let’s focus on giving gifts that matter—ones that enrich our lives, support local makers, and help preserve the environment.
Mini Online Gift Guide
Having said all that in my anti-online shopping rant above, I recognise that for some its very difficult to get out to buy locally and there are some amazing brands without a physical shop presence…… so here is a mini-guide to some online options that are doing it WELL.
World of Books – As an alternative to Amazon, if you really do need to buy your books online, I recommend using World of Books. They offer an affordable and sustainable alternative for bookworms who want to save money and save the planet. They are a B Corp and sell used books of excellent quality. You can also sell all your unloved books there too!
EMF Protection UK – If you have followed my podcast or newsletter for a while, you will know I talk a lot about the concern that I feel we should all have around the increasing levels of technology in our day to day lives. BUT, its unlikely that anyone is dumping their mobile phone or laptop anytime soon. Therefore, its super important that we protect ourselves from the excessive radiation from wifi and other technology as much as possible.
Plus you can get a 10% DISCOUNT with the code – CHARLIE10
Evolve Organic Beauty – Beauty gifts are probably THE most popular gift at Christmas time. I have mentioned how much I love EVOLVE, so many times, not just for the quality for their products but also for the thought that goes into their packaging and minimising waste as much as possible.
Currently get a whopping 20% off – which will really help those Christmas purse strings! For a limited time only.
The Governor – Instead of alcohol, why not give the gift of the golden elixir… Olive Oil. This brand is particularly high in polyphenols which is wonderful for lowering inflammation in the body and protecting us from some cancers and cardiovascular disease. They consider themselves ‘The World’s first Healthy Oil’ due to its high anti-oxidant properties and who am I to argue. Plus the bottle is super cool.
Now, that’s a gift worth giving!
The Healthy Home Show Podcast
I have had the pleasure of interviewing some of the brands above this year on The Healthy Home Show podcast so have a listen and take a deep dive into why they are a better choice for your health and that of the planet.
This year, I was thrilled to learn that we reached 25 countries with the podcast. Its amazing to think how we are reaching into homes globally. Thanks for listening and for all your support throughout the year. Next year I have big plans to take my production levels to the next level hopefully…. so stay tuned!
See you in 2025!
All that remains is to wish you all a fantastic Christmas and New year with all the happiness and health in the world!
Thanks so much for your support in subscribing to this Newsletter. I want to make sure that I am covering topics that are of interest to you. So, if there is anything particular you would like to get more information on or any specific guest you would like to learn from on The Healthy Home Show next year, let me know via email at hello@charlielemmer.com.
Be WELL ….. and see you in 2025!
Charlie x
0 Comments