Consumerism is often touted as a bad thing, and yeah, maybe most people spend too much on things they don’t need. But did you know you can actually do some good when buying products from stores? Not sure how? Here are some handy suggestions for shopping more mindfully.
Buy from Brands that Donate
There are many brands out there that support good causes. Many will donate a percentage of money earned to various charities and national or local institutions. For example, when you buy a Kendra Scott necklace or another piece of jewelry, some of the money is donated to causes. These include women’s support, youth support, and various educational programs. Seeking out these brands means your money doesn’t just fund corporate greed; it is used to help others.
Check Green Policies to Do Good When Buying
Using brands with green initiatives, you can passively support environmental efforts. While over 80% of the world’s biggest brands have green policies, some have been accused of greenwashing. So, if you aren’t really sure, you can look out for these three red flags:
- Vague claims without data and the overuse of terms such as “eco-friendly.”
- Statements about a brand’s eco policy that sounds too good to be true.
- Random use of greenery images with no real substance to the claims.
Shop at Stores with Recycling Initiatives
One of the biggest topics today is the environmental impact that humans are having on the world. There are various ways we can support the planet and help reduce some of the issues. There is a long way to go, but recycling is one of the most popular. In support of this, many major grocery stores now offer recycling initiatives. You can bring your old batteries so they are disposed of correctly. And some will even offer discounts and money for returning plastic bottles.
Check for Fair Trade Suppliers
Supply is one of the most controversial aspects of modern business. All over the world, farmers aren’t paid fairly, and they get raw deals from major companies. To combat this, there is a global Fair Trade initiative that aims to get farmers and other suppliers the fair pay they deserve instead of being exploited. Some of the major products for this include coffee, fruits and vegetables, and chocolate. Check for the Fair Trade logo when shopping for your essentials.
Do Good when Buying Used Items
There is no shame in buying used products. In fact, it should be celebrated as there is a lot of good that comes from this practice, and you can support them by buying pre-owned. There are tons of charity stores for various causes, and you can help them out with some extra purchases.
The obvious environmental impact
Over 80% of plastic toys are thrown away after just one year, and that’s just toys. Many other items, such as tech, end up in landfills and can leak potentially hazardous substances.
Contributing to charitable causes
Many charities have set up stores offering quality used items at rock-bottom prices. When you buy from these, typically, all the money goes straight back into the causes they support.
Saving yourself some money
You are also a part of the ecosystem. Perhaps money has been tight this year, and you are struggling. With costs going up, buying pre-owned products can save you a lot of money.
Just buying some toys can help reduce the plastics that are wasted each year. However, you will directly support the good causes that charities support. Of course, you will also help yourself out when times are tough, such as when you consider pre-owned items instead of buying new.
Purchase Things That Last
Sustainability relies on numerous practices. However, it isn’t too complex. One of the easiest ways to contribute to sustainability efforts is to buy high-quality products that last longer. There is already a seismic shift in the reduction of single-use plastics, and more and more people are reusing items such as water bottles. However, you could also consider buying things with fewer moving parts, such as electric vehicles, and buying things you actually need rather than simply.
Eco-Conscious Consumers: Attracting and Engaging the Green Wave
Support Local Businesses
There has been something of a retail massacre over the past 25 years or so. Major retailers have been moving into smaller areas and effectively killing off mom-and-pop stores. Almost every town and city has experienced this in developed nations such as the US, the UK, and most of Europe. However, there has also been a resurgence in local business as people realize the importance of quality, local produce. So support your community by buying from local stores.
Do Good when Buying Less Food
In the US alone, a staggering 92 billion pounds of food is wasted each year. We can all agree that this is far too much, especially when there are people starving in pretty much every country. You can’t help everyone, but you can cut down on food waste with some minor changes:
- Work out a meal plan and buy only the ingredients you need for cooking meals.
- Use bases such as ground beef and onion for various recipes.
- Freeze pre-cooked meals or leftovers that can be reheated for lunch and snacks.
Buy a Little More for Charity
No one’s saying you have to give until you have nothing left. But you can make a massive difference to someone’s life by spending a little more each time you shop. When you do your weekly or monthly grocery shopping, how about some extras for in-store food banks? There is a dire need for pantry essentials and even baby products, and some are genuinely struggling to provide for themselves and rely on food banks. What’s an extra few pounds or dollars?
Summary
Buying from brands that support good causes can help you do some good when buying stuff online or off. You can also buy pre-owned from charity stores to support a wide range of causes. And a $10 basket of food essentials or baby products can make a big difference to a food bank.
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