When examining the environmental impact of food delivery services versus cooking at home, several variables come into play. Let’s break down the energy consumption and emissions associated with each approach to better understand which might be more eco-friendly.
Deliveries and Energy Consumption
Uber delivery drivers typically complete 0.5 to 1 delivery per kilometer. Combined with the fact that multiple drops often average around 3 km per delivery, there is significant energy expenditure involved in frequent deliveries.
- Electric Vehicles:
- A typical electric vehicle, like the Tesla Model 3, achieves approximately 5 km per kWh.
- Emissions from electric cars are around 75g CO2 per km, significantly lower than diesel cars.
- Fridge Consumption:
- A standard fridge uses 1-4 kWh per day. (Does not include large freezer.)
- This translates to 3.5-14 deliveries per day, equivalent to one fridge’s daily consumption.
Comparing Emissions
When considering carbon emissions:
- Diesel Cars: Emit around 220g of CO2 per km.
- Electric Cars: Emit about 75g of CO2 per km.
- This means you would need approximately get 0.4 of electric-powered deliveries to equal the emissions of one diesel-powered delivery.
You would therefore get 2-3 deliveries per day PER FRIDGE in the most average situation.
Additional Considerations
- Efficiency in Bulk Buying: Supermarkets often benefit from more efficient logistics due to bulk deliveries, which reduces the per-item carbon footprint.
- Packaging: Delivery services tend to use sustainable materials like cardboard rather than plastic, which can reduce environmental impact.
Conclusion
Considering both food delivery services and home cooking, opting for local suppliers and utilizing electric vehicles can significantly reduce environmental impact. Additionally, focusing on bulk purchase efficiencies and sustainable packaging can further enhance eco-friendliness. Ultimately, your choice can make a meaningful difference to the planet’s health.