Breaking Down The Surprising Environmental Benefits Of Food-Delivery Services

There’s no doubt that millions of people enjoy the convenience of having groceries and restaurant meals delivered to their home using platforms like DoorDash and Instacart. The fact that so many consumers are willing to pay extra fees for the service shows just how much value they provide.

And if you’re worried about the environmental impact from all those deliveries, this article might put your mind at ease.

The eco-friendly option

Whether you’re swamped with work and family, living with mobility limitations, or just not in the mood to go out, there are numerous delivery options available right on your smartphone.

And there are a few reasons it might be a more environmentally responsible option than jumping in your car and driving to the store or restaurant:

• Delivery drivers often make multiple drop-offs in the same area during the same trip.
• Some platforms use drones or vehicles like e-bikes with a small carbon footprint.
• Ordering only what you will actually consume cuts down on food waste.

The food waste factor is particularly relevant to meal-kit delivery services like HelloFresh.

All the right ingredients

Making things even more convenient than simply delivering a batch of pantry and refrigerator staples from the local supermarket are the meal kits offered by a variety of companies. And since each kit contains a specific amount of each ingredient to prepare the recipe, analysts say it’s a better environmental option than driving to the store.

That’s largely because, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, about 30% of all the food produced nationwide ultimately goes to waste.

Researchers estimate that greenhouse gas emissions are roughly 33% higher for meals made with ingredients from a grocery store than those from a meal kit — even after factoring in the added packaging those kits often include.

Chris Agee September 12th, 2024

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