Feature Photo by Anna Tarazevich
In today’s fast-paced world, where convenience often overshadows consideration for the environment, making ecologically responsible purchasing decisions is more critical than ever. Eco-friendly shopping is not just a trend but a necessary shift towards sustainability. By choosing to shop smarter and greener, we can significantly reduce our environmental footprint and contribute to a healthier planet.
Today’s article focuses on some practical tips to guide you on your journey to becoming a more sustainable shopper. These are tips, some that are also money-saving, that I am applying to my everyday purchasing habits, so I’m always open to hear your thoughts and ideas. And if you happen to have smarter tips on how you stay more ecological, I can’t wait to hear from you!
shoping sustainably
In a world increasingly aware of environmental challenges, shopping sustainably has emerged as a powerful way for consumers to make a positive impact. Choosing sustainable products not only helps reduce our carbon footprint but also supports ethical practices and promotes the well-being of communities. By making mindful choices, we can contribute to a healthier planet, ensure fair treatment of workers, and drive the demand for more responsible production methods. Embracing sustainable shopping is not just a trend; it’s a crucial step towards a more equitable and environmentally friendly future.
Carry your own bag
When shopping, remembering to bring your own bag is a crucial step to ensure minimal waste. The use of disposable plastic bags can contribute to the accumulation of plastic waste in the environment. By opting for reusable bags, you not only reduce your carbon footprint but also assist in minimising the plastic waste that ends up in landfills and oceans. These reusable bags can come in various materials like cotton, jute, and canvas, suitable for different purposes.
Let’s be honest, most of us are carrying a reusable bag at all times by now and just like it took us a while to get used to this new sustainable habit, it might take us a while to get used to the others. But rest assured, sustainable shopping habits are the future! I bought mine years ago and absolutely love it – it’s this packable shopping bag from Buy Me Once. Made from waste PET collected in Indonesia, this bag is super durable and fits in your pocket too.
Bulk-buying
Buying in bulk plays a crucial role in eco-friendly shopping as it tends to reduce the packaging waste generated from individual products. Opting for bulk purchases of grains, nuts, and dried fruits helps cut down on packaging materials, lessening the environmental impact on landfills and oceans. Additionally, buying in bulk can lead to cost savings in the long run and potentially even better deals. From controlling the amount of food you buy to aiding in the prevention of food and packaging waste, this simple practice doesn’t have any cons attached.
Furthermore, buying in bulk supports sustainable agriculture by backing bulk purchasing initiatives, small-scale farmers, and organic producers. This practice encourages land, water, and biodiversity-friendly farming methods.
Choose products produced from sustainable materials
Opting for products crafted from sustainable materials is another crucial move for eco-conscious shoppers like us. These sustainable materials are usually sourced, produced, and distributed in an environmentally friendly manner, reducing their ecological footprint. They are often biodegradable, reusable, or recyclable, and have lower carbon emissions compared to conventional materials.
Of course, the list of sustainable materials can really go on forever. From organic cotton, bamboo, hemp, and recycled plastic to reclaimed wood, the important aspect is that you research these materials thoroughly before you buy them so that you can be sure of their eco-friendly levels.
From Delilah Home’s organic cotton bed linens to bamboo toilet paper from Bumboo and bamboo socks from Swole Panda and Bare Kind, and there’s very little you can’t find made out of sustainable materials nowadays. No need to get bamboozeled by bamboo – you can also read my previous article:
Related – BAMBOO – A PLASTIC ALTERNATIVE
Avoid single-use products
Start opting for reusable items to support eco-friendly practices and sustainable production. Single-use plastic bags, water bottles, and straws often end up in landfills or harm ecosystems after just one use.
Carrying reusable bags, water bottles, and utensils can help reduce the need for disposables when you’re out and about. For example, choosing durable materials like bamboo or glass over plastic is the best option, as these materials are more likely to last a very long time and save you money on the long term too.
My reusable water bottle, for example, is from Ocean Bottle, but I also love this one, as pictured from La Pochette. Super stylish to carry around with me on work meetings and lunch with friends, but eco-friendly too. There are also plenty of other products that can replace your current single-use daily ones though: From a refillable mouthwash to a menstrual cup and reusable ziplock food bags, the list can go on forever! Have a scroll through Regn and Buy Me Once products and prepare to get inspired…
Buy Local
Purchasing locally is another method for acquiring more sustainable goods as it reduces your carbon footprint while supporting the local economy. Items that come from far away require transportation, leading to fuel consumption and the release of carbon monoxide, which harms the environment.
Buying locally reduces the need for long-distance shipping, thereby decreasing carbon emissions. Moreover, supporting local merchants and farmers helps to circulate money within the community, boosts small businesses, and creates job opportunities. This, in turn, promotes fairness and stability while reducing income inequality. Next time you’re in need of fruit, veg or meat supply – try visiting your local weekly market and butchers instead of buying these from the closest supermarket. And don’t forget to carry your reusable bag! 😉
Look for environmental certifications
Ensuring sustainable shopping hinges on the presence of environmental certifications, which can help us identify products and services that meet our eco-friendly needs. These certifications confirm that goods are manufactured, grown, or produced in a way that minimises environmental impact. From the Forest Stewardship Council, Fair Trade, Energy Star, and Rainforest Alliance, there are plenty of certifications to look out for. I always look for these certifications and especially B-Corp organisations, so that I can be sure they’re doing their best in terms of sustainability. Plus, you can always check their score on the B-Corp directory and compare with similar brands if needed…
One B Corp brand that has recently come to my attention is Bshirt, which is more than just a brand; it is integral to a broader movement advocating for sustainable, practical, and stylish maternity fashion. By tackling the social challenges associated with breastfeeding, Bshirt empowers mothers to confidently navigate their breastfeeding journey. They also stock a range of women’s and babies ranges made from organic cotton.
Another favourite, is Boody, who create everyday essentials that not only feel good but also make customers feel good. They achieve this through their hero fabric, bamboo viscose, which is softer than cotton and uses less water than traditional fabrics. This sustainable approach has earned them a place in the top 5% of B Corps globally. Initially starting with underwear, they have expanded their offerings to include a thoughtfully curated wardrobe of everyday essentials aimed at helping customers build a comfortable capsule collection.
For more of my favourites, check my previous post about B Corps that features The Tartan Blanket Co’s bed linens and Rheal Superfoods’s amongst others.
Related – B CORP BRANDS
Choose energy-efficient products
Opting for energy-efficient products is another essential aspect for all environmentally conscious shopping out there, as it can significantly decrease your carbon footprint and save electricity. These products are designed to use less energy while maintaining or even improving performance compared to their less efficient counterparts. This results in lower electricity consumption, reducing carbon emissions and saving money on energy bills. Just like with everything else when we’re talking about sustainability, this aspect comes loaded with certifications too. When buying appliances or devices, my suggestion is to look for the ENERGY STAR certification, which indicates that they meet high energy efficiency standards.
Minimise food waste
Did you know that one-third of the world’s food is wasted annually? This is leading to environmental and social challenges like greenhouse gas emissions, water scarcity, and hunger. When we discard food, we squander the resources and energy used in its production, transportation, and packaging. By cutting down on food waste, we’re also reducing our carbon footprint and preserving natural resources. From cooking mindfully, buying only what we need, storing food correctly, and using leftovers wisely, there’s a lot we can do to reduce food waste at home.
Last year, I wrote an article on how to do this – check it out here – and gave you lots of free tips to implement from the comfort of your own home. From apps like Too Good To Go, OLIO and No Waste to buying fruit and veg from companies like Oddbox, there are many ways to rescue food that is about to go to waste…
Related – CUTTING DOWN ON FOOD WASTE
Repair and Reuse
Repairing and reusing your already purchased items also play a vital role in sustainable behaviour because, by adopting the double R technique, you are encouraging resource conservation and waste reduction.
Extending the lifespan of products through repair and reuse prevents new waste from polluting the environment and new resources from being used to produce new products. Needless to say, you probably have lots and lots of local repair shops around you – from clothes-altering services to shoe repair and woodworkers, the items around you that can be repaired or repurposed as something else are countless. My favourite repurposed piece in my home, for example, is this coconut shell candle from Jungle Culture, which I now use for my knick-knacks!
THE BENEFITS OF SHOPPING SUSTAINABLY
Making small adjustments to our purchasing habits can benefit the environment and contribute to a sustainable future. I’m not just saying that, but tweaking our habits can make a difference! As we already know, the actions we take as individuals echo on our planet forever, so let’s be sure to make the right purchasing decisions…
If you’re still wondering how our purchasing decisions can benefit the environment, I’ve put together a quick list for us all to keep in mind at all times:
Conserve natural resources
This goes back to opting for products that consume less energy and raw materials, renewable energy services, and items made from recycled materials or reclaimed waste to save resources during production.
Lower carbon emissions
We can do this by using renewable energy sources and energy-efficient products to decrease your energy consumption and carbon footprint.
Minimise waste
By purchasing long-lasting products that can be reused and recycled to reduce the volume of waste sent to landfills, we can all help minimise waste.
Support local and broader communities
Seasonal foods from local organic farms are fresher since they don’t need to be transported over long distances, making them typically tastier and more flavourful. Buying locally grown organic fruits and vegetables also supports local farms, helping to maintain farmland and open spaces in the community and improve living and working conditions here.
Related – LIVING LIFE ON THE VEG – ORGANIC AND SEASONAL FOOD MAKES SENSE!
Foster a market for new sustainable goods
By buying green, we’re also encouraging the growth of the green economy and the creation of new green jobs by stimulating demand for sustainable products and materials.
To preserve our planet’s natural resources and reduce waste, it is crucial to prioritise these actions over our old purchasing habits whenever feasible. I’ve included just a few of my sustainable product recommendations in this article, but have a scroll through my blog channel and you’ll find thousands of product recommendations! I’ve already done the research so that you don’t have to…
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