A Fool-Proof Guide to Becoming a More Eco-Friendly Shopper

Even in an increasingly consumer-centered world, there’s a growing demand for more eco-friendly shopping practices. While the likes of online retailers and fast fashion brands have made it easier than ever to secure products from across the globe, this style of shopping can often do more harm than good. 

It can seem daunting to make the switch to greener habits after enjoying the conveniences of modern consumerism, but it doesn’t have to be as challenging as you might expect. We’ll share our top tips and tricks for a more environmentally-conscious shopping experience in this post.

Benefits of Environmentally Aware Shopping Habits

Before we get into the ins and outs of eco-friendly shopping, let’s take a quick look at how impactful a few minor tweaks can be for the planet.

Support for Local Economies

Adopting greener practices often goes hand in hand with supporting local economies and is a much better alternative to boosting the revenue of already wealthy international corporations. 

Smaller, independent businesses tend to serve more compact areas. Because of this, their market is much more modest than larger companies with a wider global reach, and so these retailers rely on local customers.

Lower Carbon Emissions

This follows on from the previous point about the importance of choosing local businesses where possible. In many cases, any product you purchase from a smaller company will likely have a much shorter journey to reach you. By contrast, goods from bigger brands sometimes travel around the globe before reaching your doorstep or local area. 

Not only will the items you buy generally have a much more moderate carbon footprint, but in doing so, you’ll be helping local retailers. All in all, it’s a win-win situation!

More Sustainable Materials

The companies with the most environmentally friendly practices and policies typically choose to focus on using sustainable materials for their products. As a rising number of people work to make conscious decisions whenever they make a purchase, the market for longer-lasting, biodegradable materials becomes more lucrative. 

If enough people opt for goods that center around quality and sustainable components, more businesses will be encouraged to follow suit.

Less Waste

There’s typically less waste associated with eco-friendly items for a number of reasons. First of all, companies that make an effort to go green try to stick to quality materials that will last for a long time, leading to less consumption further down the line.

Additionally, these are the businesses that are more inclined to use packing that’s either made from recycled materials or can be recycled again. This keeps unnecessary waste to a minimum.

Ethical Treatment of Workers

Many companies who are passionate about using business models that are less harmful to the planet also strive to create ethical working environments for staff members. 

This usually means you’ll pay a slightly higher price, but in doing so, you’ll ensure workers get a fair wage for their labor. Moreover, these costs will balance out over time, as better-made products will be significantly more durable and require fewer repurchases.

How Can I Change My Shopping Behaviors?

So, what exactly does it take to be a more eco-conscious shopper? These are our time-honored tactics that are easy to implement and much kinder to the environment than traditional approaches to shopping.

Utilize Second-Hand and Thrift Stores

Thrifting has been hugely popular for years now with anyone who enjoys a little bargain hunting and those on a tighter budget. While it’s an excellent way to snag some fantastic deals, it’s also one of the best things you can do to reduce your carbon footprint.

We tend to think about clothes and accessories when we talk about thrifting, but many second-hand stores also sell a range of other products, from CDs and video games to pre-loved homeware.

Opt for Local Products and Independent Retailers

For pretty much every major brand or retailer, there’s generally a substantially smaller business that sells the same or similar products. 

By default, we think of specific outlets when we’re looking for particular items. Before committing to any purchases, check out what’s available from local companies first to see if you find a more sustainable option on the market. If possible, try to pick up the item in-store rather than getting it delivered.

Be Mindful of Packaging and Materials

Though we may not take much notice, a lot of the goods we buy are made from and packaged in plastic. This includes clothing, as most fast fashion brands rely heavily on synthetic fibers. When any of these items end up in landfills, they don’t break down and decompose as natural materials would.

Plastic is unfortunately unavoidable these days, but checking the composition of different products before purchasing can help you find less damaging alternatives.

Research Brands Before Making a Purchase

‘Green-washing’ is a trend that’s been on the rise for some time now. In essence, this is when a company identifies itself as a brand that’s dedicated to sustainability, even though most of its practices don’t reflect this.

To avoid falling victim to this marketing trick, always read up on the businesses you buy from before making any transactions. Over time, you’ll find it easier to decipher between these stores and their genuinely ethical counterparts.

Prioritize Quality Over Quantity

We’re all a little susceptible to buying more than what we truly need. Nonetheless, cutting back on the volume of goods we purchase is a non-negotiable when trying to make better choices.

Rather than buying cheap products that need to be replaced regularly, make a conscious effort to focus on quality items instead. These will serve you for much longer, eliminating the need for frequent shopping trips.

Enjoy Greener Shopping Experiences With These Simple Adjustments

We all have a part to play in combating climate change, and one of the simplest changes we can make is to think twice about our choices as consumers. Although these may seem like small steps, they can make an incredibly positive impact on the environment.