Mexico City, March 18 – The convenience of online shopping is creating a silent environmental crisis in Mexico City. Each order contributes to a growing waste problem, primarily single-use plastics, which now account for over 236 tons daily in the capital.
Legislative Push Against E-commerce Plastic Waste
In response to this escalating issue, Deputy Elvia Estrada of the Green Ecologist Party of Mexico has introduced an initiative in the local Congress. The proposal seeks to reduce the environmental footprint of e-commerce by targeting its origin: packaging.
The initiative specifically aims to prohibit single-use plastics in the packaging of online purchased products, with the exception of compostable materials. Furthermore, it encourages companies to:
- Reduce the use of unnecessary materials
- Reuse packaging
- Opt for recyclable or sustainable materials
The objective is clear: to halt waste generation at the very beginning of the consumption chain.
The Hidden Cost of Every Click: How Much Waste?
While a universal official figure for waste generated per e-commerce click doesn’t exist, clear estimates per order paint a stark picture. Each online purchase generates approximately 100 to 300 grams of packaging waste, including cardboard, plastic, fillers, bags, and labels. This translates to roughly 0.1 to 0.3 kilograms of trash per transaction.
For instance, buying headphones generates waste such as a box, plastic, and filler, while clothing purchases add bags, packaging, labels, and protective materials. The amount of waste varies depending on several factors:
- Over-packaging: Large boxes often used for small products.
- Product type: Electronics typically generate more waste.
- Number of shipments: A single purchase can be divided into multiple packages.
- Material choice: The use or absence of recyclable materials.
Alarming Figures Highlight Environmental Crisis
Data from Mexico City’s Ministry of Environment, analyzed by Oceana, underscores the critical nature of the problem:
- 236 tons of plastic per day are generated by e-commerce.
- This is equivalent to 29 garbage trucks daily.
- More than 86,000 tons annually.
Locally, 41% of collected plastics are low-density – the most challenging to recycle – while 35% of waste consists of packaging.
Economic Impact: Pollution Comes at a Price
The impact extends beyond the environment. In 2021, Mexico City allocated 1.779 billion pesos to plastic waste management, with 53.4 million pesos directly attributed to unnecessary e-commerce waste. This means that the cost of pollution is ultimately borne by citizens.
A Growing Global Problem
Globally, e-commerce generates millions of tons of waste annually. The use of cardboard and plastics for shipments has surged with platforms like Amazon and Mercado Libre, making digital consumption a significant source of urban waste in major cities.
Shifting Towards Sustainable Consumption
Deputy Estrada emphasized that online shopping cannot continue to be synonymous with pollution. This proposal seeks not only to modify the law but also to transform consumption habits towards more sustainable practices.
