The rise of online shopping has seen a significant increase in recent years, with more than eight out of ten Norwegians now making monthly purchases online. This marks a 24 percent increase since 2019, indicating a growing trend towards digital shopping. Interestingly, nearly half of Norwegians are now buying from international online retailers each month, with Chinese platform Temu reaching 75 million monthly users in Europe within a few months. It’s clear that China is emerging as a dominant player in the online shopping market in Norway.
What used to be a means of acquiring necessary or desired items has now transformed into a form of entertainment in itself. This shift is particularly evident in the context of online retailers like Shein and Temu, which utilize what European authorities consider to be manipulative design tactics. Shopping has become a game, where the thrill of the shopping moment itself takes precedence. Articles showcasing outrageously cheap purchases highlight that customers have low expectations for the actual products. When these products turn out to be vastly different from what was advertised, they are proudly displayed on social media as part of the entertainment.
While online shopping itself is not inherently problematic, the issue lies in what is being purchased, how the products are manufactured, transported, and disposed of. Unfortunately, many of the super cheap products from China pose problems at every stage of this process. When a pair of shoes costs 48 kroner and is shipped from China, it is unlikely that the production process was conducted in a responsible manner for both people and the environment.
A survey conducted by PostNord revealed that low prices are the primary reason Norwegians choose to shop online. It’s no surprise that the volume of online purchases is increasing when it’s cheaper to buy a sweater from China than to send the same sweater between two cities in Norway. However, cheap products often have a short lifespan, leading to a significant amount of waste. With high levels of toxins and microplastics, this waste becomes challenging to handle responsibly.
Efforts are being made in Norway and Europe to ensure that products have a longer lifespan, can be repaired, and have known and recyclable contents. The influx of cheap products flooding from online portals often lacks consistent quality. Spare parts and repair options are not part of the equation; it’s all about buy and discard.
In this new trend of online shopping, the focus is on getting products to customers as quickly as possible. According to Reuters, Chinese online shopping now accounts for approximately one-third of international long-haul flight capacity. In other words, this is far from environmentally friendly transportation.
The Norwegian Environment Agency’s research has shown that up to half of the products sold by retailers outside of Europe are illegal and may contain hazardous substances. When products with undeclared toxic substances are disposed of alongside other waste, the quality and usability of everything processed with them are compromised. Recycling and reusing become difficult and costly, a burden that Norwegian consumers must bear. So, how cheap are these products really?
The Earth’s capacity is being exceeded in various areas, with August 1st marking the day when we have consumed this year’s global resources, meaning the rest of the year we are depleting resources meant for future generations.
Andreas Bjelland Eriksen, our Minister of Climate and Environment (Ap), encourages consumers to choose local stores over platforms like Temu. By doing so, he shifts the responsibility onto individual consumers. The Nature Conservation Association believes that the government must take responsibility for changing a system that allows such imports, which are also subsidized.
Each of us can take a moment to think before making a new purchase. However, Eriksen, you should take a deep breath and take action. It’s urgent, and you have the power to make a difference!