What is Returns Emissions?
Carbon emissions generated when customers return products, including reverse logistics, repackaging, and disposal. Online retailers typically have higher return rates, making this a significant Scope 3 category.
Why it matters
Returns can account for 20-30% of all e-commerce orders, with each return generating emissions from collection, processing, and often re-shipping. Reducing return rates through better sizing guides, product descriptions, and quality control directly cuts carbon.
Example
A fashion retailer introduces a detailed sizing tool and video product reviews, reducing returns from 28% to 19%. The 9 percentage point improvement eliminates approximately 15 tCO₂e per year from reverse logistics.
Related terms
Last Mile Delivery Emissions
Carbon emissions from the final leg of product delivery to the customer's door. Last mile delivery typically accounts for a significant portion of logistics emissions, particularly for e-commerce businesses.
Scope 3 Emissions
All other indirect emissions occurring in an organisation's value chain, both upstream and downstream. Scope 3 typically represents 70-90% of a company's total carbon footprint and includes emissions from suppliers, business travel, employee commuting, and product use.
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