Online shopping returns/environment

[namasteyall]

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/holiday-returns-evironmental-costs-shipping/ (Old article)

https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/returned-online-buys-burn-fuel-and-fill-the-dump-heres-what-could-change/ (This year's article)

Buyers need to be far more careful? A business opportunity for some?

"The returns from online shopping last year created 5 billion tons of landfill waste and produced as much carbon dioxide as from 3 million cars driving for one year, according to Optoro, a tech company that manages retailers' returned items.

The process of sending back unwanted items and potentially re-selling them results in 10 billion unnecessary transportation trips every year."

At least some new/unused returns could be given to staff, if they agree to accept them at their own risk?