Will e-commerce save the planet?

We spend more than anyone else in Europe online; buying things we used to buy in a shop.

This has the potential to change the role of product packaging.  Product packaging that aims to sell a product on a shop shelf becomes redundant, and is replaced by the product page on a website.   

The role of the packaging changes from ‘selling on a shelf’, to ‘safe, eco friendly, cheap transportation':  The product packaging and the transport packaging become the same thing.  

Think of it.  It could take a whole layer out of the delivery chain, dramatically reducing ‘global transport mass’ which could end up saving the planet in reduced carbon emissions.

So the Internet might just help save the planet.  

Amazon have 'Frustration Free Packaging'.  They agree with manufacturers to eliminate the inconvenient, ecotoxic packaging that is impossible to open, bulky and heavy from the entire supply chain.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=200392050

Ebay have their Reusable Box.  It’s the same concept as one of those re-usable orange envelopes you use for internal post.

http://www.ebaygreenteam.com/projects/the-ebay-box

Ocado claim that ordering from them is environmentally friendly.... "Ocado delivery van can replace up to 40 car journeys every single day." 

Wouldn't it be great to see the big grocers follow Amazon and Ebay's lead on this.