By reducing returns, we reduce emissions
According to a Yle documentary, up to 33% of Finns return clothes they have ordered online. The documentary also estimated that, among the Nordic countries, Finland has the highest rate of returns for clothes and accessories ordered from online stores. Many larger companies in the fashion industry know that people want to be environmentally friendly, but emissions related to transportation and returns are often kept quiet to hide their true lifecycle and emissions.
Emmy sells responsible secondhand fashion to consumers, providing the most environmentally friendly approach to circular economy business models. The goal is that every piece of clothing or accessory put up for sale or ordered from Emmy finds a new home. However, as an online store, it is important that customers have the option to return items within 14 days of receiving their order, since there is no opportunity to try on the clothes in advance.
Emmy strives to ensure that emissions from transportation are kept to a minimum. By providing the most accurate product information possible, we aim to make it as easy as possible for customers to find products that suit them. This helps to partially avoid unnecessary emissions caused by returns. That’s why every product sold on Emmy is hand-checked, truthfully photographed, and carefully measured. This way, the customer gets the clearest possible idea of the product, making it easier to assess its suitability. It’s also a good idea for the buyer to measure themselves if they are unsure about the fit of the clothing. You can find instructions for measuring yourself here. For every product in Emmy’s selection, you’ll find:
- A condition assessment, so the customer can evaluate whether the product has enough life left for their intended use.
- Critical measurements. For example, the armpit-to-armpit measurement for shirts, so the customer can measure a similar shirt to see if the item will fit them.
- Material information and whether the material is stretchy or not.
- Other relevant details, if applicable. For example, features of children’s outerwear such as taped seams or waterproof markings on overalls.
In Emmy’s return process, products are transported back to the warehouse in Lohja, the return is checked, and the product is put back up for sale. If the sales period for the product has ended at the time of return, the clothing or accessory is either sent back to the seller (if they choose) or donated to charity. Emmy can transparently explain the return process, but the ongoing goal and development work is to ensure that ordered products find a new home immediately, and that the return process does not create new emissions. Emmy is constantly working to improve its already responsible return practices. Suggestions for improvement from both customers and staff are more than welcome.
Together, Emmy and its customers can reduce returns and the emissions they cause!
Also read:
Together we are more responsible
The circular economy is revolutionizing people’s clothing principles
The circular economy is a significant part of improving the planet’s carrying capacity
Charity is at the heart of Emmy
Emmy contributes to the success of the UN’s sustainable development goals
Sources:
Yle Areena Spotlight documentary: The hidden emissions of the package frenzy.
Photo: Unsplash.