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Black Friday and Cyber Monday are a time when far too many people buy things they don't need, or that are not sustainable in any way, just because they're cheaper. Don't get me wrong, it can be great if it's something you need or have been waiting to buy for a while. But purchasing a bunch of items on a whim due to discounts isn't the best practise. In the eco world, there is Green Friday instead of Black Friday. It encourages buying local, small, ethical and sustainable, as well as buying less or only what you need. It is also more about giving, in the sense of being more generous to others. Instead of taking part in the consumerism of these huge sale days, why not take a step back and appreciate all the world has to offer?
It is not just these specific days that are damaging to the environment, but the year-round unconscious buying that goes on, especially when it comes to Christmas. So many items sold in shops are of poor quality, bad for the environment or made unethically. There is so much plastic around, that it makes me feel sick to my stomach. Not only in packaging or things like toys, but also in clothes and many other areas. Clothing is, in fact, a huge issue. So much is made out of polyester, even higher-end fashion, and a lot of it ends up in landfill, unable to break down.
Little things, like checking labels for the materials used, or avoiding items wrapped in plastic, can help you become more of a conscious consumer. Say no to plastic bags, or even paper bags, and try to use reusable bags instead. All it takes are some habit changes, and learning to tell yourself "no". If you'd have told me a few years ago that I would be where I am now when it comes to shopping, I might not have believed you. I always saw it as difficult, and a lot of effort that I wasn't ready to commit to. But having changed my mindset in the last year and a half, I have realised just how doable it is, and that it is much easier than I initially thought. I won't lie, sometimes it's still hard to say no to myself, but most of the time I feel better for it, and save money at the same time. I only buy what I need, and if I treat myself, I think very carefully about it, and take a few things into consideration first.
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When buying presents, I get things that are on the more useful side. I check materials and packaging. I apply similar rules to how I shop for myself. The great thing about being on a zero-waste journey when others around you aren't, is being able to introduce them to it via gifts, in the hopes that it may inspire them to make some changes too. All I can do is motivate, and the rest is up to them.
Christmas decorations are another problem- so many are made from plastic. Tinsel is a huge culprit, and artificial trees are no good either (see my post on Christmas trees for more). Opting for things made from wood, or other natural materials, is not only better for the environment, but also much prettier! I may go into the topic of decorations in another post, so that's all I say on that for now.
Wrapping paper is also something to think twice about when shopping- most shiny ones (or that have a sheen to them) contain plastic, so it's best to choose brown paper, or check before you buy. Another thing to notice is- if it's wrapped in plastic, then it probably won't be eco-friendly. Again, I may go into more detail on this topic another time.
I hope that this has given you some inspiration in shopping more consciously this festive season and, as always, feel free to reach out for any advice or tips on going more eco.
-Sustainable Sarah
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