Many people say it makes sense to pay for returns. They believe free returns make us wasteful. Shoppers order tons of items just to try them on. Since returns are free, they aren’t careful about what they buy. Research shows that shoppers return online purchases up to eight times more than in-store ones.

    Why does it matter? Let’s go back to those fuzzy boots you returned. Here’s what will likely happen. If they look new, they might get sent to a warehouse or discount store. But they might also get thrown away. In the U.S., more than 8 billion pounds of returns end up in landfills each year.

    That’s just part of the problem, though. Shipping items back and forth is bad for the planet. It uses more fuel for trucks, planes, and boats. It also sometimes uses more packaging. All of this adds to trash and pollution. It can also speed up climate change.  

    Many people say we should pay for returns. They say free returns make us wasteful. Shoppers order tons of items just to try them on. Since returns are free, they aren’t careful about what they buy. Shoppers return online purchases up to eight times more than in-store ones.

    Why does it matter? Think of those boots you returned. If they look new, they might get sent to a discount store. But they might also get thrown away. In the U.S., more than
8 billion pounds of returns end up in landfills each year.

    And that’s not all. Shipping items back and forth is bad for the planet. It uses more fuel for trucks, planes, and boats. It also sometimes uses more packaging. All of this adds to trash and pollution. It can also speed up climate change.

    Many people support the idea of paying for returns. They believe free returns encourage people to be wasteful. Shoppers order tons of items just to try them on. Since returns are free, they aren’t careful about what they buy. Research shows that shoppers return online purchases up to eight times more than in-store ones.

    Why does it matter? Let’s go back to those fuzzy boots you returned. If they look new, they might get sent to a warehouse or discount store— but they might also simply get discarded. In the U.S., more than 8 billion pounds of returns end up in landfills each year.

    That’s only part of the problem, however. Shipping items back and forth is harmful to the planet. It uses more fuel for trucks, planes, and boats, and it also sometimes uses more packaging. All of this contributes to trash and pollution and can speed up climate change. 

    Not everyone wants to get rid of free returns. After all, they keep shoppers happy. Is it really fair to make people pay for returns if they can’t try on items first? 

    Plus, only some people abuse free returns. Ending such policies punishes everyone.  

    So maybe it’s time to look for other ways to solve the problem. Stores could reward people with coupons for keeping what they buy. They could also offer better tools for choosing the right size the first time. These ideas could cut down on returns in the first place.

    Or what if stores used returns as a way to help people? Some shops are already trying this: They give shoppers their money back if they donate unwanted items. 

    That sounds like a win for everyone.

    Not everyone wants to get rid of free returns. After all, they keep shoppers happy. Is it fair to make people pay for returns if they can’t try on items first?

    Plus, only some people abuse free returns. Should everyone be  punished?

    There might be other ways to solve the problem. Stores could reward people with coupons for keeping what they buy. They could also offer better tools for choosing the right size the first time. These ideas could cut down on returns.

    Or stores could use returns as a way to help people. Some shops already do this: They give shoppers their money back if they donate unwanted items.

    That sounds like a win for everyone. 

    Not everyone objects to free returns—after all, they keep shoppers happy. Is it really reasonable to make customers pay for returns if they can’t try on items before buying?

    Plus, only some people abuse free returns. Ending such policies punishes everyone.

    So maybe it’s time to come up with different solutions to the problem. By rewarding people with coupons for keeping what they buy, and by offering better tools for choosing the right size the first time, stores could cut down on returns in the first place.

    Or what if stores used returns as a way to help people? Some shops are already trying this: They give shoppers their money back if they donate unwanted items.

    That sounds like a win for everyone.