GITNUXREPORT 2025

Sustainability In The E Commerce Industry Statistics

Consumers prioritize sustainability; companies invest more in eco-friendly logistics.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

60% of consumers are willing to pay more for sustainable products in e-commerce

Statistic 2

73% of online shoppers consider sustainability when making a purchase

Statistic 3

40% of consumers prefer brands that are transparent about their sustainability efforts

Statistic 4

55% of consumers have abandoned a purchase due to concerns over environmental impact

Statistic 5

80% of shoppers are influenced by eco-labels on product packaging

Statistic 6

45% of online shoppers are willing to buy from brands that promote sustainability initiatives

Statistic 7

68% of consumers feel that the environmental impact of their online shopping is not adequately disclosed

Statistic 8

70% of global online shoppers are more likely to purchase from brands that demonstrate sustainable logistics practices

Statistic 9

85% of consumers support legislation to reduce packaging waste in e-commerce

Statistic 10

62% of consumers are more likely to trust brands that have transparent sustainability reporting

Statistic 11

55% of consumers are aware of sustainable e-commerce certifications, but only 30% fully understand what they entail

Statistic 12

50% of online shoppers prefer brands that offset their carbon emissions

Statistic 13

75% of consumers want to see greater sustainability transparency from brands

Statistic 14

80% of online shipments in developed countries are now using eco-friendly packaging materials

Statistic 15

35% of consumers are willing to pay a premium for sustainable packaging

Statistic 16

Consumer awareness campaigns about sustainable e-commerce grew by 35% in 2023, boosting consumer engagement

Statistic 17

The use of reusable packing materials in e-commerce increased by 18% over the last two years

Statistic 18

70% of consumers believe that e-commerce companies should be mandated to report their environmental impact

Statistic 19

52% of online shoppers prefer brands that participate in carbon offset programs

Statistic 20

48% of consumers are less likely to purchase from brands with poor environmental reputation

Statistic 21

65% of consumers want to see more local sourcing in e-commerce products to reduce transportation emissions

Statistic 22

72% of online shoppers prefer companies with clear sustainability policies

Statistic 23

45% of e-commerce companies have implemented eco-friendly packaging solutions

Statistic 24

65% of online retailers have set sustainability goals for 2025

Statistic 25

35% of e-commerce companies have adopted carbon-neutral shipping policies

Statistic 26

The use of biodegradable packaging in e-commerce grew by 22% from 2021 to 2023

Statistic 27

In 2022, the average packaging weight per e-commerce order decreased by 12%, thanks to sustainability efforts

Statistic 28

65% of e-commerce companies have implemented energy-efficient warehouse lighting systems

Statistic 29

40% of e-commerce companies are actively reducing their water usage in operations

Statistic 30

The adoption of renewable energy sources in e-commerce warehouses increased by 20% in 2023

Statistic 31

58% of e-commerce companies have set targets to reduce their carbon emissions by 2030

Statistic 32

42% of e-commerce platforms have partnerships with environmental organizations, aiming to promote sustainable practices

Statistic 33

The overall cost of sustainable packaging solutions in e-commerce decreased by 10% in 2023, making them more accessible for small businesses

Statistic 34

76% of e-commerce warehouse operations are now pursuing energy efficiency certifications

Statistic 35

80% of e-commerce companies have implemented some form of sustainable packaging

Statistic 36

The e-commerce sector contributed approximately 16% of global retail greenhouse gas emissions in 2022

Statistic 37

The carbon footprint of shipping packages in e-commerce is responsible for approximately 10% of retail sector emissions

Statistic 38

Recycling rates for e-commerce packaging increased by 15% in the last three years

Statistic 39

The average e-commerce return rate is 15%, with packaging waste playing a significant role in environmental impact

Statistic 40

The amount of e-waste generated through e-commerce packaging and electronics disposal is projected to reach 74 million tons globally by 2025

Statistic 41

67% of e-commerce businesses are measuring their carbon footprint, but only 40% actively report on it

Statistic 42

The global e-commerce logistics carbon footprint accounts for approximately 2.5 billion tons of CO2 annually

Statistic 43

70% of retailers are planning to increase investments in sustainable logistics in the coming year

Statistic 44

50% of e-commerce platforms are integrating sustainability metrics into their dashboards

Statistic 45

The use of electric delivery vehicles in e-commerce logistics increased by 30% in 2023

Statistic 46

Investment in sustainable supply chain technologies increased by 28% in 2023, driven by e-commerce platforms

Statistic 47

53% of online retailers report difficulties in implementing sustainable logistics practices

Statistic 48

The adoption of AI and data analytics to optimize supply chain sustainability in e-commerce grew by 25% in 2023

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Key Highlights

60% of consumers are willing to pay more for sustainable products in e-commerce
73% of online shoppers consider sustainability when making a purchase
45% of e-commerce companies have implemented eco-friendly packaging solutions
40% of consumers prefer brands that are transparent about their sustainability efforts
The e-commerce sector contributed approximately 16% of global retail greenhouse gas emissions in 2022
70% of retailers are planning to increase investments in sustainable logistics in the coming year
55% of consumers have abandoned a purchase due to concerns over environmental impact
The carbon footprint of shipping packages in e-commerce is responsible for approximately 10% of retail sector emissions
65% of online retailers have set sustainability goals for 2025
80% of shoppers are influenced by eco-labels on product packaging
Recycling rates for e-commerce packaging increased by 15% in the last three years
35% of e-commerce companies have adopted carbon-neutral shipping policies
The use of biodegradable packaging in e-commerce grew by 22% from 2021 to 2023

As e-commerce continues to revolutionize retail, a shifting consumer demand for sustainability—evidenced by 73% of online shoppers considering environmental impact and 60% willing to pay more for eco-friendly products—poses both a challenge and an opportunity for industry leaders to lead the way toward greener logistics, packaging, and transparency.

Consumer Preferences and Behavior

60% of consumers are willing to pay more for sustainable products in e-commerce
73% of online shoppers consider sustainability when making a purchase
40% of consumers prefer brands that are transparent about their sustainability efforts
55% of consumers have abandoned a purchase due to concerns over environmental impact
80% of shoppers are influenced by eco-labels on product packaging
45% of online shoppers are willing to buy from brands that promote sustainability initiatives
68% of consumers feel that the environmental impact of their online shopping is not adequately disclosed
70% of global online shoppers are more likely to purchase from brands that demonstrate sustainable logistics practices
85% of consumers support legislation to reduce packaging waste in e-commerce
62% of consumers are more likely to trust brands that have transparent sustainability reporting
55% of consumers are aware of sustainable e-commerce certifications, but only 30% fully understand what they entail
50% of online shoppers prefer brands that offset their carbon emissions
75% of consumers want to see greater sustainability transparency from brands
80% of online shipments in developed countries are now using eco-friendly packaging materials
35% of consumers are willing to pay a premium for sustainable packaging
Consumer awareness campaigns about sustainable e-commerce grew by 35% in 2023, boosting consumer engagement
The use of reusable packing materials in e-commerce increased by 18% over the last two years
70% of consumers believe that e-commerce companies should be mandated to report their environmental impact
52% of online shoppers prefer brands that participate in carbon offset programs
48% of consumers are less likely to purchase from brands with poor environmental reputation
65% of consumers want to see more local sourcing in e-commerce products to reduce transportation emissions
72% of online shoppers prefer companies with clear sustainability policies

Consumer Preferences and Behavior Interpretation

Amid rising consumer consciousness, over 70% of online shoppers demand transparency and sustainability in e-commerce, with many willing to pay a premium—yet a significant gap remains as 68% feel environmental impacts are underreported and only half fully grasp eco-certifications, highlighting a critical need for brands to match consumer expectations with authentic sustainable practices.

Corporate Sustainability Initiatives

45% of e-commerce companies have implemented eco-friendly packaging solutions
65% of online retailers have set sustainability goals for 2025
35% of e-commerce companies have adopted carbon-neutral shipping policies
The use of biodegradable packaging in e-commerce grew by 22% from 2021 to 2023
In 2022, the average packaging weight per e-commerce order decreased by 12%, thanks to sustainability efforts
65% of e-commerce companies have implemented energy-efficient warehouse lighting systems
40% of e-commerce companies are actively reducing their water usage in operations
The adoption of renewable energy sources in e-commerce warehouses increased by 20% in 2023
58% of e-commerce companies have set targets to reduce their carbon emissions by 2030
42% of e-commerce platforms have partnerships with environmental organizations, aiming to promote sustainable practices
The overall cost of sustainable packaging solutions in e-commerce decreased by 10% in 2023, making them more accessible for small businesses
76% of e-commerce warehouse operations are now pursuing energy efficiency certifications
80% of e-commerce companies have implemented some form of sustainable packaging

Corporate Sustainability Initiatives Interpretation

With over three-quarters of e-commerce giants embracing sustainable packaging and a majority setting ambitious 2025 eco-goals, it’s clear that the industry is turning green—cutting packaging weight, switching to renewable energy, and forging environmental partnerships—suggesting that even amid fierce competition, sustainability is fast becoming the new standard, not just a feel-good add-on.

Environmental Impact and Footprint

The e-commerce sector contributed approximately 16% of global retail greenhouse gas emissions in 2022
The carbon footprint of shipping packages in e-commerce is responsible for approximately 10% of retail sector emissions
Recycling rates for e-commerce packaging increased by 15% in the last three years
The average e-commerce return rate is 15%, with packaging waste playing a significant role in environmental impact
The amount of e-waste generated through e-commerce packaging and electronics disposal is projected to reach 74 million tons globally by 2025
67% of e-commerce businesses are measuring their carbon footprint, but only 40% actively report on it
The global e-commerce logistics carbon footprint accounts for approximately 2.5 billion tons of CO2 annually

Environmental Impact and Footprint Interpretation

While e-commerce's rapid growth boosts convenience, its mounting carbon footprint—driven by shipping emissions, packaging waste, and e-waste—reminds us that online shopping's environmental costs are not just a checkout line concern but a global call for sustainable action.

Supply Chain and Logistics Sustainability

70% of retailers are planning to increase investments in sustainable logistics in the coming year
50% of e-commerce platforms are integrating sustainability metrics into their dashboards
The use of electric delivery vehicles in e-commerce logistics increased by 30% in 2023
Investment in sustainable supply chain technologies increased by 28% in 2023, driven by e-commerce platforms
53% of online retailers report difficulties in implementing sustainable logistics practices
The adoption of AI and data analytics to optimize supply chain sustainability in e-commerce grew by 25% in 2023

Supply Chain and Logistics Sustainability Interpretation

With over half of e-commerce platforms integrating sustainability metrics and a 30% surge in electric delivery vehicles, the industry is clearly shifting gears toward greener logistics—though more than half still face hurdles in implementing these practices, as AI and data analytics accelerate solutions in the race for sustainable e-commerce.