Shopping: delivery vs shop in person

Stonehead · Fri Nov 03, 2006 10:47 am

A neighbour has just told me that he'd heard on the radio that having your groceries home-delivered was more eco-friendly than buying in person.

Leaving aside the dreaded shopping at supermarkets issue, has anyone come across any figures that support this.

At first glance, it makes sense - if for example, all five households here had their groceries delivered at a co-ordinated time it would mean one trip instead of five. Of course, the reality is rather different (although I'm still trying to persuade them to buy veg from me rather than the supermarket which would be even better again).

It also has implications for our pork and lamb - it may well be better for me to do one long, circular trip and drop the meat off than have people collect it. Of course, that would take a big chunk out of a day and I'd have to charge more to make up for both that loss of time as well as the fuel.

So, has anyone found any figures on home delivery vs shopping in person?

Boots · Post: # 39318Post **Boots** » Fri Nov 03, 2006 11:06 am

Initial studies

Stonehead · Fri Nov 03, 2006 11:23 am

Boots wrote:http://lib.tkk.fi/Diss/2003/isbn9512265826/

Thanks. Exactly what I was after. Now I just need some UK specific ones...

Andy Hamilton · Fri Nov 03, 2006 11:55 am

try this

only really goes into traffic details but a few useful other studies there too.

Boots · Post: # 39324Post **Boots** » Fri Nov 03, 2006 12:06 pm

As far as I can tell the UK called for future research and prioritised this particular area in their 1999-2002 funding grants. Papers should be available, but this suggests the research tended more toward commercial development than it did the environment, as that area remains lacking and (as always

) is noted as still needing further research.

Click here for report which has been reduced to tricky form.. after many many many attempts.

colhut · Post: # 39345Post **colhut** » Fri Nov 03, 2006 2:30 pm

We only did this once, the volume of carrier bags generated was beyond stupid. about 1 per item (some items were double wrapped !). we've not done it since.

shiney · Post: # 39348Post **shiney** » Fri Nov 03, 2006 2:48 pm

I only have my veggies delivered. It's great as it means I only have to go to the butchers and local shops to get other things (which I can walk to in the main) I am trying everso hard to give the supermarkets a miss completely.

Also, I give back the boxes that the veggies and fruit are delivered in for re-use. No plastic bags by the dozen either.

red · Post: # 39353Post **red** » Fri Nov 03, 2006 2:57 pm

we have veg box delivered - and I know the bloke works on a circuit and does certain areas on certain days.. so its prolly more logical than each customer going to them. Now we live in a village, i can walk to the co-op, butchers bakers etc, so thats cool.

once when we lived in the middle of nowhere and my son was ill for 2 weeks, we used T***o home delivery. when asked he said no.. they dont organise the routes sensibly, and as already said, sooooo many bags.

2steps · Post: # 39364Post **2steps** » Fri Nov 03, 2006 3:57 pm

colhut wrote:We only did this once, the volume of carrier bags generated was beyond stupid. about 1 per item (some items were double wrapped !). we've not done it since.

yep, had this happen too. i shop online once in a while but asda dont take my debt card so its a pain and I prefer to use them as my son has some dietiary issues and I know their products. I don't mind going to other shops as I can then read the labels but no good online. I don't drive to the supermarket and either waslk home (don't you love pushchairs

) or get the bus