Hey yeah I agree, I just thought OP was being over the top with the moralizing. Like, OK its a bit virtue signal-y but so is complaining about it. And its still better than plastic.
I'm not sure that being shipped is much worse than buying from a store that also gets it shipped and wrapped in as much plastic. And if its a town over, you're driving there which is CO2 as well.
Using nothing at all is better for sure and I said as much. Second hand stuff rules.
All in all though, this sort of individual choice is peanuts compared to taking a single plane ride which is itself peanuts compared to what corporations get away with. So imo. having any sort of strong opinion on this is silly.
However, advertising yourself as sustainable (like this store does) is also a marketing move which caters to a specific type of audience. If your products aren’t actually sustainable, it is valid criticism to point that out.
Imagine having two companies selling candy. One says their sweets not only taste good but are good for you, while the other doesn’t make any kind of health claim. Both are bad, but one of them is outright tricking you, which feels worse.
Note I’m not claiming this is what this seller is doing. Maybe they think what they’re doing is sustainable when it’s not. But that’s all the more reason to point it out so they can work of something better.
You don’t have to get it shipped, most of the time. Whenever you next go to town, go into any hardware shop and buy whatever they have.
Heck, hop on freecycle and you’re bound to see someone giving away one of these that you can pick up for free, in person.
Or buy one second hand.
Or use a large book.
Or, or, or…