1. Sustainable shopping made simple
Learn about ways to practice sustainable shopping and ensure that your shopping patterns are sustainable for the planet.
i) Think Before You Buy
Take a minute to think before you decide to go ahead with ordering or purchasing anything! Impulse buying can result in the purchase of products that you do not need. Avoid buying single-use products instead buy durable materials that may cost more initially but have a longer life. A good analysis before buying material will help you in saving the time you have to spend while returning the material causing more emissions, waste and mileage.
ii) Give your materials another Life
Donate your clothes, electronics, bags, furniture etc. to the needy, participate in donation drives, and give away your material to thrift stores or charity shops. The practice not only gives a new and longer life to the old items but will also divert waste from the landfills.
iii) Look for local brands
Buying from local & small businesses is good for them and for the plant. Buy gifts from local artisans as souvenirs. The products from local brands have the following benefits as compared to imported clothes or clothes purchased from far off sellers:
- Lower travel miles of the product
- Smaller carbon footprint associated with transportation of the products
- Lesser packing materials are used when purchased locally
iv) Carry your own bag
It takes approximately 500 years for a plastic bag to degrade and when it does starts breaking down into microplastics which pollute the oceans. The most eco-friendly approach would be to carry your own reusable bag everytime you go shopping and refuse the plastic bag.
v) Buy Sustainable Products
Sustainable products are designed specifically for reuse, repurpose or recycling. One can choose clothing made from plant-based & organically produced fabrics which also reduce the ecological footprint.