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Paul's avatar
Paul

I agree that it would be better for the environment however it would possibly be terrible for small independent shops (if there still is any).

That said I get my essentials from corporation ownes stores so 🤷🏼‍♂️ I guess im part of the problem therefore yes I probably would lol.

Boomer's avatar
BoomerMod
Paul

Rather than using Amazon, someone could follow the bookshop.org model, where they source from independent shops and kick back a percentage of the profit.

If you want to choose a specific bookshop to support, choose them from our map and they’ll receive 30% of the cover price (or almost all of the profit) on your orders for a year. Otherwise, 10% of the cover price of your order will contribute to an earnings pool that will be evenly distributed among participating independent bookshops each month. - bookshop.org

Paul's avatar
Paul
Boomer

Thats a great idea, Iv never heard of that bookshop.

Boomer's avatar
BoomerMod
Paul

It's so good! There's only been one book they didn't have when I searched, and that was ages ago.

Horror and Cats's avatar
Horror and Cats

I almost certainly wouldn’t because I never need all the same things at all the same time. I would save money by just getting the things I need when I need them. For instance, I’ve never even done the “subscribe and save” thing because I never go through things at the same rate.

Boomer's avatar
BoomerMod
Horror and Cats

Just think of all the fun you could have with the surplus! 😄

Nicole's avatar
NicoleStaff

There are a few alternative options like this from independent sellers that I'd love to see continue to grow. I use a subscription service to a company called Smol for lots of household cleaning products that aims to reduce plastic, waste and generally be better for the environment 🌲

Roo's avatar
Roo
Nicole

^This. It's a good idea but I don't think Amazon are the ideal operatives to deliver it. There are several companies doing a really good job of it already and most offer flexible items to address the issue Horror and Cats mentioned. We use Smol for all our cleaning products including sprays and dishwasher tablets, Bower Collective for liquid soap and washing-up liquid, and The Modern Milkman for our most common groceries. They're pretty great and have a much better approach to environmental and social responsibility matters than Amazon.

Although I don't rate the Smol laundry tablets. Do you get on ok with them Nicole?

Nicole's avatar
NicoleStaff
Roo

Admittedly, they work for me for the most part but I wouldn't say they are the best I've ever used - still, I'd rather get cardboard packaging than tons of big plastic tubs. I get the laundry tablets, washing machine tablets and all-purpose cleaning spray.

Dave's avatar
Dave

No, trying to avoid Amazon due to the amount of fake, third party seller stuff that gets mixed into the same basket/storage stock as the genuine stuff. So even if you pick despatched and sold by Amazon its from the same mixed up stock full of fakes.

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/demystifying-amazons-stickerless-commingled-inventory?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_mobile_web&utm_campaign=copy

L
Laser-Bicep
Dave

I hear what your saying about the fake stuff, but isnt that mainly tech ? how could you fake household essentials?

i agree ideally you would want amazon out of the picture and buying from an independant company that makes their own products.

Sturmer's avatar
Sturmer
Laser-Bicep

Did you know that even household essentials can vary by region? Big brands, like Colgate, sell the same products in different countries but often adjust the quality based on the local economy. For instance, the Colgate toothpaste you buy in Germany might not have the same components as the one in Poland, with the latter possibly using less expensive ingredients to keep costs down. This means when you're buying such items online, there’s no certainty about the quality you’re getting, even with something as basic as toilet paper.

Sturmer's avatar
Sturmer

Another aspect to consider is the varying rates of product consumption. For instance, someone with short hair might use a small amount of shampoo, whereas another with long, oily hair could need more and wash more frequently. Similarly, clothing usage differs among individuals, with some changing clothes twice a day and others wearing the same outfit for two days. What happens to the excess products in a bundle designed for “average” use?

Not to mention personal preferences, allergies, and taste.

A sustainable approach to reducing waste and costs might involve using materials like glass and aluminium, which can be fully and endlessly recycled. So, rather than buying 100 individually plastic-wrapped dishwasher tablets in a cardboard box, imagine opting for a 1-liter can made of glass or aluminium that can be refilled or fully recycled. This shift could drastically reduce packaging waste.

Lanah Tyra's avatar
Lanah Tyra

I've been through quite a few of the plastic free brands and some just either don't work for my very fuzzy coloured hair or got laundry and dishwasher solutions which left stuff dirty.

So I have to be very picky what I buy from where. And if I can I also prefer smaller independent businesses where I know I can trust the quality.

A care box might be a good thing to buy stuff to try out or for traveling etc, but on the long term consumption is so varied for everyone that I definitely prefer stuff I can buy individually.

MargotCandy's avatar
MargotCandy

What springs to mind for me here is a "moving in box". For example your friend or child is moving out or going to university and this would make a nice "getting started" box.

Or when my friend bought a house, her mortgage company sent her a box of essentials of loo roll and washing up liquid etc. So companies could use these as a nice sustainable option.

Personally I like to get what I need when I need it, and then tend to buy 2-3 months supply providing I have the storage space. This lets me make less trips but also let's me take advantage of any offers at the time, in my self imposed boundaries around "safe for the environment/better for the environment". And I can choose items and brands I support.

antibird's avatar
antibird

I choose not to support Amazon.com due to concerns about its labour practices, including reports of poor working conditions and anti-union tactics, as well as its market dominance, which could potentially harm competition and smaller businesses. Environmental worries arise from Amazon's substantial carbon footprint stemming from shipping and packaging practices, while data privacy concerns stem from the company's extensive collection of customer data across various platforms. Ethical considerations, such as its relationships with suppliers and involvement in controversial projects like facial recognition technology, also factor into my decision to avoid supporting the company, reflecting a broader spectrum of values and priorities guiding my consumer choices.

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