7 Ways to Shop Sustainably This Black Friday
The overconsumption that takes place all along the holiday season – especially between Black Friday and Cyber Monday – is a major contributor to climate change.
More and more persons are hopefully starting to realize how sustainable shopping habits are essential to our planet’s health.
Still, a lot of people don’t realize that taking advantage of Black Friday’s great deals while having a positive impact on the planet is perfectly possible.
Here are 7 ways you can shop more sustainably (and skip the Black Friday lines!)
1. Shop Online from Conscious Brands
Do yourself and Mother Earth a favor by choosing online shopping this year. You will be able to find products that are truly sustainable and that will fit your needs without contributing to the compulsive consumption that characterizes Black Friday shopping.
2. Build a Wish List
Create a list by noting the brands and features you have determined for yourself to make sure you only buy products which are worth the discount.
Beforehand, consider saving in your online shopping cart the items that you’re interested in. If an item isn't something you really want or will use regularly, it's probably not worth purchasing, no matter how good the price may be.
3. Give Gifts That Give Back to The Planet
Sustainable brands often offer products that have a low environmental impact and/or support charitable causes. It’s easy to make a simple switch in who you’re buying from, and it can make all the difference.
American author Anna Lappé says, “Every time you spend money, you're casting a vote for the kind of world you want.”
So why not give earth-friendly gift boxes or gift cards that can be used for sustainable purchases?
4. Look For Eco-friendly Packaging
Choose recyclable, compostable, or reusable packaging materials whenever possible to help reduce the amount of plastic waste produced by holiday shopping sprees.
5. Make Carbon-Neutral Purchases
Carbon emissions from shipping can be a significant addition to your carbon footprint. When checking out online, be on the lookout for a shipping option that offsets these emissions, such as carbon-neutral shipping.
6. Unfollow Fast Fashion Brands
This is a great way to help stop impulse buying. In fact, fast fashion brands use excellent marketing tactics to make us feel like we constantly need to buy more in order to stay on trend, especially during the holiday shopping season.
There are many apps and platforms that make it easy to find secondhand or ethically-made clothing and furniture at discounted prices such as Vinted, 3FRUUM, Ebay, or your local Facebook marketplace.
All of these options reduce the demand for new materials and shipping emissions.
7. Support Small Businesses
Small businesses are the backbone of the sustainable economy, so make sure to support them this year!
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By following these easy tips, you can shop sustainably and feel good about doing your part to protect the planet, as well as your wallet.