Shopping sustainably means being mindful of what you are buying, the labor and materials involved, and whether they are renewable. For example, when you buy clothes, make sure to stick with a reputable clothing brand. Given the increasingly popular practice of shopping online, sustainability of packaging and transportation is also a key concern. Find out how to become a more responsible shopper with the strategies that follow.
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Shopping for Groceries
Each year, production and consumption of food produce two tons of greenhouse gases (GHG) per person globally. Harmful emissions from the human food chain make up more than a third of GHG worldwide. Shopping and eating more sustainably can take a bite out of these destructive emissions and their effects on climate change. Ways to shop more sustainably for food:
- Cutting down on beef, lamb and cheese, which produce high amounts of GHG from farm to table
- Eating fewer products that require more water to grow, like almonds
- Choosing locally grown produce in season to reduce the need for high-emission transportation
Planning Ahead for Bulk Food Orders
Buying in bulk is an effective strategy for a more sustainable world. It does require that you plan ahead in making online purchases like oats, flour, sugar and beans. However, buying in bulk reduces the need for individual packaging and small-quantity shipping. If you use reusable containers to store these grocery staples, you’ll help cut down on materials and single-use packaging, too.
Tapping Into Vegan and Ethically Sourced Foods
It’s important to do some research if you want to create a more sustainable pantry. Given the significant environmental impact of meat and dairy production, it’s smart to add more vegan foods to your menu. Find out which vegan brands come from ethical, sustainable sources with an online sustainability guide.
Shopping for Clothes Online
Traditional textile manufacturing takes a costly toll on the environment. An increasing number of eco-aware manufacturers are working to eliminate damaging chemicals, non-sustainable materials and unethical labor practices from the equation. Finding these manufacturers is a simple matter of tapping into the research available online. As a consumer, what you buy and how you buy it has an impact on the sustainability and ethics of the clothing industry.
Choosing the Right Clothes That Will Last
Fashion trends are one reason that clothes manufacturing is among the least sustainable industries. You might invest in the latest fashions, only to discard them when trends change. Instead, choose classic clothes that are made to last, such as a reversible bomber jacket that you can wear twice as long. Instead of fast fashion, choose ethically made tees and other basics.
Considering Bundles and Multipacks
You can save money and reduce GHG emissions from manufacturing, too, purchasing clothes in multipacks. For example, buy a men’s clothing multipack of classic t-shirts in neutral colors since you probably wear them every day. This type of bundled clothing requires less packaging and cuts down on shipping, two of the biggest environmental pain points in the clothing industry.
Finding Versatile Pieces
Selecting versatile pieces from multipacks of clothing can help avoid waste. This is smart when choosing individual wearables, too. Rather than buying a coat just for a single-use ski vacation, choose one that you can wear on other occasions, too. Instead of choosing a silk scarf that goes with only one outfit, buy one that you can wear with multiple clothing combinations. This way, you will be buying less and becoming more eco-friendly.
More Sustainable Shopping Tips
One of the many advantages of shopping online is your ability to double-check manufacturers’ environmental track records before you buy their clothes. You might want to confirm that a clothing company:
- Uses sustainable materials, production methods and shipping
- Avoids harmful substances like toxic dyes and pesticides in the production process
- Uses only cruelty-free animal products, if applicable
- Supports ethical practices in the workplace
Additionally, as a shopper, your choices make a difference to the environment. For instance, when selecting a shipping option, the slowest delivery typically equals a smaller expenditure of fossil fuels and therefore fewer GHG emissions. For the same reason, avoid returning purchases whenever possible.
Finding Sustainably Sourced Materials
Finding clothing materials that are both sustainable and sourced from renewable resources should be a key consideration when you are shopping online. Look for labels that indicate:
- Global Organic Textile Standard
- USDA Certified Organic
- Responsible Wool Standard
- OEKO-TEX®
They confirm responsible sourcing and sustainable growing practices, such as eliminating herbicides that harm the environment.
Checking in With Online Reviews
Like-minded consumers are a great resource for finding companies that value sustainability as much as you do. Many companies actively cultivate eco-friendly branding online, too, recognizing the influence of social media on buying habits and decisions. If you find a clothing company that meets your sustainability standards, be sure to post about it to help others shop responsibly.
Discovering Sustainable Shipping Options
When it comes to sustainability in the online shopping marketplace, shipping plays a critical role. Shop at online companies that use recycled or biodegradable packaging. At checkout, select a low-impact shipping method, like ground transportation or store pickup. If you order early, you won’t have to pay for expedited delivery, which is more costly and likely to produce more GHG emissions.
Mindful Shopping Makes a Positive Impact
A collective call for sustainability from online shoppers like you is shaping a more eco-friendly marketplace. Food, clothing and other manufacturers are moving to more sustainable production methods that cut down on GHG. Packing and shipping firms are offering lower-impact methods for getting your purchases to your doorstep. By shopping sustainably, you can do your part to make a positive impact on the environment and your lifestyle.