E-Commerce Free Returns: Are they really free?

Abstract

The expansion of the e-commerce industry is at the speed of thought. However, a big debate arises out of a small question that can the e-commerce industry be ever considered an environmentally clean way of doing business. This research aims to trace how the e-commerce free returns policy adversely affects the environment. The present study is exploratory cum descriptive in nature. The research work is purely doctrinal and is a result of a comprehensive analysis of the existing literature on the said issue. The researcher seeks to add to the existing literature by providing suggestions and a future action plan for the problem so stated above. Based on the findings of this study, it is evident that the e-commerce industry can lead to environmental pollution, especially with fast fashion. The study makes recommendations based on the findings of the study.   Keywords: e-commerce; environment; fast fashion; free returns; online returns.