George Becker
In a lot of ways, shopping is a cathartic experience for people. It usually provides a short burst of endorphins when you make a purchase for something that you like. And, when you’re feeling down a day at the mall can really lift those endorphins so you can get back to normal.
The problem with that is that it can lead to a lot of unseen social ills that take on a life of their own. For instance, there is a lot of sweatshop labor used to make many of the clothes we wear so they can stay as cheap as possible. Your purchase prolongs the time that we support these types of practices. And often, clothes and other products are made from unsustainable material.
Luckily, people are becoming more aware of how they affect many things in the world when they purchase things. There is a trend of intentional spending that is happening wherein consumers seek out items that have a low negative impact when they buy.
In this article, we will go over how you can be a more conscious consumer and still get the things you want without doing harm to people or the planet.
Look for recycled products
Recycling has a sort of snowball effect when it is done right. It starts with taking lots of garbage out of landfills that would normally take decades or longer to break down. And it also allows us to manufacture things without taking them from the ground like fossil fuels. For instance, a water bottle is made out of petroleum which is a byproduct of oil.
By recycling these bottles into new ones, then that is less petroleum that is used to make them. Not only that, but plastic water bottles can be tuned into just about anything. Take these adjustable belts for instance that are actually made from recycled water bottles. The quality is such that you would never know so there is no sacrifice when purchasing items made out of recycled plastic.
Just about any consumer product can at least be partially made from recycled materials these days. When setting out to make a purchase, either do a bit of research ahead of time to find manufacturers that recycle or at least take a look at the label to see how much was made of post consumer content.
Support companies that practice ethical behavior
Many multinational companies talk a big game when it comes to doing things the ethical way. This is a result of people becoming aware of how they spend money and using their wallet as a force of good. While it’s good that companies have responded and want to do good while they make money, many are giving lip service.
It pays to put some time in and search out the companies that are actually doing what they say and are doing their best to be a good corporate citizen. There are many companies that pay their workers fairly and use recycled materials.
Some donate up to 10% to charities and even encourage their employees to volunteer and donate their time to worthy causes.
You may not have time to research every company out there, but ask around and get some ideas from lists online that are curated by charitable organizations that have done the research.
Think before you buy
You should definitely start out by being a more intentional consumer. This means that you should weigh your purchases and even give yourself a cooling down period before you make a purchase. This allows you the time to consider if you really need it at all, or if there are ways that you can make a better purchase.
For instance, instead of driving straight to the store to get what you were planning to buy, see if there are any upcycling possibilities. You can often find somebody giving away the product you need or offering it for much cheaper than buying it new. It may take a bit more effort since you have to coordinate with somebody to get the product, but it is the perfect time to reflect on your spending habits.
If it is something that you can’t go without you’ve decided after having thought about it, then make the purchase. However, you should still try to find a product that is made fairly and in a sustainable way with recycled or renewable materials.
Being thoughtful will also reduce the clutter in your home as you will be less likely to spend money on things you don’t even need after all.
