Shopping can be fun, enjoyable, and even educational. More and more people recognize, however, that the way many of us shop is not only none of those things, but is also harmful to the planet.
Before focusing on the shopping, however, the three R’s of waste management are a useful concept to keep in mind as you think about sustainability. Reduce (what you buy), reuse (what you have), recycle (what you no longer need) in that order, help limit the amount of waste we generate. Waste, however, is often the last step in the value chain - up the stream fewer natural resources are consumed, energy and fuel are used to transport and store the items, limiting our overall impact on the environment.
Returning to the topic of shopping, while some have embraced minimalism with gusto, many of us are somewhere on the continuum between there and thoughtless consumerism. Below are some ideas to help you feel more purposeful in your shopping.
1. Reconsider buying altogether.
When you want to buy something, pause and give yourself a time limit after which, if you still want the item, you will buy it. In the meantime, you’ll do without it. You may never remember the item after the initial impulse, or that you find more creative and convenient ways to fulfill the need without making a purchase. After the self-imposed (or externally imposed if, for example, you need to save up to purchase) time limit passes, explore the options below.
2. Join local ‘buy nothing’ communities or neighborhood listservs.
If you have not yet heard of it, “Buy Nothing Project” is great. It connects people with the idea of asking, giving and offering thanks. It also keeps the purchasing process local, reducing transportation expenses in addition to keeping things in circulation longer. And best of all, if there is not a community near you, you can start your own!
Also, many apartment buildings and neighborhoods have their own messaging boards set up - these are often great sources of borrowed goods and services. From cat sitting to pressure washers, these platforms help avoid a purchase and get to know your neighbors too!
3. Buy at thrift stores or second hand.
The second R of waste management is reuse - and another way to shop more sustainably is to hit the local thrift and vintage stores. Not only can you often find beautiful items there, it can also be a very gratifying experience - you get exactly and only what you see, and don’t have to keep looking for the right size of an item, which may not even exist. In the end, you might not only do good for the planet, but also be happier with your choice in the end.
4. Buy local.
This practice allows for a few things that reinforce the sustainable materialism loop. First, if you are able to see, touch and try, you’ll find a better fit of furniture, clothes or car than if you shop online. Trying in the store ensures that you don’t get a shirt that cuts weirdly across your arms, phone that you don’t like and appliance that does not fit on your counters. You also won’t need to get ten pairs of pants delivered to you only to return eight of them - a habit that is most definitely NOT sustainable. The other advantage of buying local is that you get to discover cool local artists, whether a baker or a jewelry maker, or even a local bookstore. Added bonus - the feeling of community that you get. Think farmers market - getting to know the people who share your interests, your farmers and understanding where the food you eat comes from. All to the sounds of a local band playing.
5. Buy natural materials.
Plastic waste has been in the news a lot recently, so I am not going to belabor the point here. You can find plenty of information googling, but also here and here. Buying things made from wood, metal, glass, wool etc., you reduce your environmental impact as fewer plastics will end up in landfills and the ocean. They also often feel and look better.
6. Buy timeless designs.
The reason fast fashion is so appealing is because it delivers the coolest latest trend quickly, every time, right? That is also why it is so damaging to the environment - trends come and go, and so clothes, even furniture do too, discarded mostly in landfills. When, however, you buy a couch in a classic color or a pair of black pants, you are likely to use them for a while, thus reducing the environmental impact of your purchases. And if you buy the best quality you can afford, you are likely to be able to resell the item or pass it on to family or friends.
Once you purchase something, you need to take good care of it, of course. And the Savvee app helps you do just that - we want to make sure that your purchases last. Get it now for iOS or Android, it is free!
Any other ways in which you shop responsibly and sustainably? Share your thoughts with us!
Comments