The last month of the year is the busiest month of the year for both retail and consumers. First Sinterklaas and when he leaves the country, preparations for Christmas are made. Because in addition to celebrating the traditional Christmas dinner, more and more Dutch people are also finding a present under the Christmas tree. And where shopping streets and shopping centers used to be populated by eager Dutch people, clothing, books, toys and electronics - thanks to technology - increasingly find their way to consumers via a POST NL, DHL or UPS delivery van.
And not just during December of course. If you work from home on any given day, you see the vans driving back and forth. And if they are not vans, then they are scooters, mopeds and cyclists that deliver food to customers' homes. We massively choose to let the smartphone or tablet do the work, and not our feet. Shops, restaurants and even snack bars are increasingly coming to customers. Working lunches are delivered to your door. Albert Heijn is going deliver hot meals. Convenience serves people.
But what is the impact of this “order economy” on the environment? A number of issues are emerging that we are becoming increasingly aware of. Just think of all the clothes that are returned and not hung on a clothing rack outside the fitting room. Think of all those delivery drivers who drive around all day for minimal amounts to make it as easy and cheap as possible for the customer. There is already a push for a minimum age for meal deliverers after the tragic accident in Utrecht. And also Safe Traffic Netherlands raised the alarm at the end of last year about the impact of all those vans that claim space in already busy residential areas. Issues that we need to find a solution for. And fortunately, there are already wonderful examples of how the delivery economy can have a positive impact on our society; think of the POST NL deliverers after the holidays collected unused toys to deliver them to children who are less fortunate.
Our delivery economy is running at full speed. That seems sufficient reason to think carefully about how we can balance the benefits and burdens as best as possible.
