Every dollar we spend casts a vote for or against sustainable practices. Learning about the ways in which your purchasing decisions affect the planet can help us move toward a world that is environmentally and socially responsible.
Buying reusable items like cups, bottles, utensils and shopping bags cuts down on waste. Buying second-hand goods like clothing or gaming consoles reduces demand for new products and depletes fewer natural resources.
Look for Labels
Everyone wants to save the planet, but sometimes the effort it takes to go green can feel overwhelming. Luckily, you can have a minimal impact on the environment through small changes to your everyday lifestyle. Become an eco-conscious consumer by looking for products with specific sustainability certifications that are backed by science and proven to be ethically and environmentally responsible.
The manufacturing process of traditional goods involves the burning of fossil fuels and the use of chemicals, both of which are huge contributors to air pollution. This pollution not only contributes to climate change but also negatively affects our health. Sustainable products reduce the need for toxic chemicals in production and eliminate harmful waste in the environment, including discarded billboard vinyl and plastic pulled from the ocean.
Another great way to make an impact is by shopping local. When you shop locally, you support your community and reduce the amount of fuel needed to transport the goods you buy from all over the world. There are even a growing number of start-ups that eat, sleep, and breathe sustainable living, and offer products packaged in alternative, eco-friendly materials like glass, aluminum, or cardboard.
It’s also important to avoid impulse buying as much as possible, as this can lead to items ending up in landfills faster than you think. If you’re an online shopper, try to limit your orders to once a week to reduce the number of deliveries arriving at your home.
Finally, if you must buy something online, try to purchase used products as opposed to new ones. This reduces the energy consumption required to produce new items and often looks just as good as something brand-new!
Reusable Items
Buying items that can be used over and over again is one of the most important eco-friendly shopping choices you can make. This reduces the need to produce new materials and cuts associated greenhouse gas emissions. It also limits the amount of waste that needs to be recycled or sent to landfills and incinerators. This can be done by using reusable cloth grocery bags, purchasing food in bulk, and buying used items. It can also be done by composting food scraps, or donating unused clothing and electronics to charities.
Plastic is another major issue when it comes to sustainable shopping. Every year 14 million tons of plastic ends up in the ocean, and it makes up 80% of all marine debris. Choosing reusable bottles, bags, utensils, straws and shopping carts can help reduce the amount of plastic waste that is produced. It is also a good idea to buy produce loose at the market rather than packaged to further cut down on waste.
In addition, buying items that are reusable can cut down on the need to ship them from far-flung places. Shipping causes a lot of air and water pollution, as well as the use of energy to operate the trucks and ships. Buying local products not only cuts down on these harmful effects, but it also supports the community economy.
The most important thing to remember when making sustainable shopping choices is that buying less is better. Don’t shop based on impulse, and buy only what you need. This can be hard, especially if you are used to living in a small space like a dorm room or a one-bedroom apartment, but it will make a huge difference when it comes to environmental impact.
Support Local Businesses
We’re all familiar with the idea of buying eco-friendly products to help reduce our environmental footprint. However, we may not be focusing enough attention on the companies that we choose to support with our purchases. Toronto was named 8th fashion destination for shopaholics which also includes sustainable clothing.
According to the founder of Finch, a digital tool that rates the sustainability of everyday products, shopping with an eye for the environment is about more than just choosing organic foods or purchasing zero-waste clothing. It is also about taking the time to find companies that prioritize sustainability and make it a part of their culture.
Buying locally is one of the best things you can do for your local community, as well as the planet. Keeping money in your own neighborhood helps build up the economy and keeps storefronts alive, rather than empty commercial spaces. In addition, supporting local businesses helps reduce the distance that a package must travel, which cuts down on pollution, traffic congestion and resource depletion.
Locally owned and operated businesses are also more likely to donate to non-profits than larger chains, which helps bring vitality to the community in addition to giving back to the people who work there. Moreover, they’re more likely to invest in their staff, which helps increase the quality of life for everyone involved.
Lastly, shopping locally is good for the health of your family because it cuts down on the chemicals you’re exposed to, which can contribute to disease. This is especially true for sustainable products, which use materials that are less harmful to the Earth’s health and environment than traditional materials. This includes materials like organic cotton, bamboo, recycled plastic and reclaimed wood. These materials are biodegradable and less prone to disease-causing air, water, soil and insect contamination.
Buy in Bulk
Buying in bulk is a big step towards zero waste, as it reduces the amount of packaging required for each individual item. It also helps save money on individual products, as you will have enough supplies to avoid running out and needing to make more purchases.
It is important to note that while buying in bulk can save you money, it can also lead to food waste. This is why it is important to only purchase the products you know you will need and can store in a timely manner. For example, it is a good idea to stockpile items like grains, nuts and spices, but not fresh produce or dairy products. It is also a good idea to compare prices on multiple products before making your purchase, as the price per unit will vary.
Becoming the ultimate buying in bulk master requires careful planning and organization. You will need to have a designated area in your home where you will store the items and have space for any excess. It is also a good idea to make a shopping list before heading out to the store and to stick to it. You do not want to be tempted by that bundle of pistachios and end up with 20 pounds of them when you only needed four!
Taking the time to become an eco-friendly shopper is something that will benefit our planet in a huge way. It will teach you to be more mindful of your consumption, and you will likely continue to shop with that mindset in the future. After all, the ice caps are melting and our planet needs your help!
Buy Plant-Based
Plant-based products are becoming more ubiquitous in grocery stores across the country. Consumers are seeking alternatives to meat and dairy products as a means of improving their health, saving money on food costs and reducing the environmental impact of their diets. The demand for these products is being driven by flexitarians, a fast-growing consumer segment that seeks to reduce the amount of meat they consume on a regular basis while still maintaining some level of meat consumption.
To help support the growth of plant-based options, grocers are rethinking their in-store strategies to promote these items and make them easier to find. Many are also expanding their private label offerings to include more plant-based products, particularly those that are frozen to avoid the shelf stability and safety concerns of perishables.
According to a report by NIQ, one of the biggest hurdles to purchasing plant-based products is the lack of accessibility and affordability of these items compared to their meat counterparts.