How can you be sure of the quality and origin of your purchases?

Eco-responsible marketplace for healthy cooking

How can you be sure you're buying a quality, healthy kitchen utensil? How can you be sure of the manufacturing conditions of what you're buying? How can you tell if a product is truly eco-friendly?

Amphitria's answers are below! We suggest you shop on a truly eco-responsible marketplace (for choice!), and we'll explain why!

What is a marketplace?

A marketplace is an online platform that connects sellers and buyers. Unlike traditional online stores, marketplaces generally do not have their own inventory. They host and showcase products from various merchants on a single site. The most well-known examples are Amazon, Etsy, and eBay.

The advantages of a marketplace for consumers lie in the diversity of products offered and the ability to compare prices in one place. It's also a way to buy different brands, often with the advantage of lower shipping costs. For sellers, it's a way to access a wider audience without having to manage a full online sales site. While the marketplace also offers specific features, added value, and a specific selection of products, it's also a way for sellers to showcase their products within a cohesive offering.

Dropshipping: A simplified logistics approach. Why is it simpler?

Dropshipping is an online sales model where the seller doesn't stock the products they offer. When a customer places an order, the product is shipped directly from the supplier. This reduces inventory and logistics costs. For entrepreneurs, dropshipping offers many advantages for sellers because this system allows them to maintain control over their customers. For the marketplace, it eliminates the need to manage inventory. It uses the warehouses of the brands it distributes, so it also avoids warehouse proliferation!

However, dropshipping is often criticized for its lack of transparency regarding product origins and manufacturing conditions. We all have in mind the image of Chinese-style dropshipping, where some sellers simply resell Chinese products at a higher price.

To be truly responsible, it is crucial to select suppliers committed to sustainable and local production.

What is an eco-responsible marketplace?

An eco-responsible marketplace goes beyond simple e-commerce. It showcases environmentally friendly products, manufactured under fair social conditions and, ideally, locally. Today, many companies use the eco-responsibility argument for purely marketing purposes, a practice known as "greenwashing." It seems as though everyone is eco-responsible...

Greenwashing: Beware of false promises

Greenwashing involves projecting an image of environmental responsibility without following through with concrete actions. A common example is the use of green packaging or keywords like "natural" and "sustainable" without transparency regarding production. A truly eco-responsible marketplace must demonstrate its commitments, particularly through the traceability of materials and transparency regarding manufacturing conditions.

Producing locally: the basis of eco-responsibility

For a marketplace to be truly eco-responsible, it's essential to prioritize products made locally, ideally in Europe. Why? Because producing locally significantly reduces the carbon footprint associated with transportation. For example, a product made in Asia and imported by plane emits up to 60 times more CO₂ than a product made in France (ADEME). Moreover, producing in Europe also means guaranteeing good working conditions and fair wages for the employees who make the products. This is also what being eco-responsible is all about.

This is entirely personal, but for me, producing products in India that are resold 100 times more expensive (sometimes more) in France, but having paid the artisans a few euros, or even a few cents, is not responsible. Even if the products are manufactured by an organization that helps women in India, for example, to integrate, it is only responsible if we offer these women a salary consistent with the selling price in Europe. And this is never the case!

The advantages of European production

1. Reduced carbon footprint : Shorter journeys limit greenhouse gas emissions.

2. Regulated working conditions : European standards guarantee fair and safe working conditions.

3. Superior quality : Products made in Europe are often synonymous with craftsmanship and lasting quality.

4. Support for the local economy : Buying European helps boost the economy and promote local artisans.

Conclusion

Eco-responsible marketplaces represent a credible alternative to online retail giants. However, it's crucial to remain vigilant against greenwashing strategies and to favor locally manufactured products, which are a guarantee of quality and respect for the environment. For consumers, this not only means a gesture for the planet but also a support for local expertise.

To go further, consult the ADEME reports and the European Union studies on the impact of local production.

At Amphitria.com, we only offer products that are made in Europe and are therefore truly eco-responsible!