As Americans send back millions of holiday gifts, there's a hidden environmental cost

[lordsummerisle]

theguardian.com

Millions of Americans will head post office this month, unwanted holiday gifts in hand. But while it may be convenient to return that ugly sweater from your mom, that ease comes at a huge cost to the environment.

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/jan/02/as-americans-send-back-millions-of-holiday-gifts-theres-a-hidden-environmental-cost

[Throck]

1. Returning gifts is a problem?

How about just don't buy it in the first place?

Conspicuous consumption and rampant consumerism.

The top phrase I hear from some people is, "I bought such and such for MYSELF for Christmas". Isn't that a we bit selfish?

[ArcticFox]

2. Much of what we buy online is junk

Even if we're not buying too much stuff, we do our research, read reviews, pick the thing that looks great in the online ad. Then when it arrives, it's not as described, or damaged, or just poorly made. And so we return it.

Stress are disappearing. There's no way to see many things before we buy. And I've noticed much of what's made in China is low low quality. And more and more, things are only made in China. Things are made to sell, regardless how much they might be used, or useful.

[Democreator]

3. Unwanted gifts can be donated to anyone that needs them.

Don't throw away unwanted gifts; donate them. Many charities take new items and repair old items to sell or give away. You can also have sales to raise money to donate to candidates.