We all want to do our bit to help the environment. Here we show you can help by shopping more sustainably. So do your bit and check this out.
Seven Sustainable Shopping Secrets
Creating a sustainable or ethical wardrobe from scratch is an intimidating prospect. There’s the possibility of not being able to wear your favourite brands and being limited in your trend choices, not to mention having to spend a little more than usual.
With increasing pressure on all of us to protect the planet’s limited natural resources, there has never been a better time to develop green and sustainable purchasing habits. Some people are concerned that going green will cost them more money, but they will save money in many cases. Furthermore, sustainable shopping can enrich your life while ensuring you’re doing your part to help the environment. It can be as easy as asking yourself simple questions before purchasing. Take a pair of women’s Dune London boots as an example. Are they durable, and will they last? Yes. Are the shipping methods harmful to the environment? No. In this case, this is an excellent sustainable purchase. Here are some more simple tips for shopping sustainably.
1. Natural Fibres – Always buy clothing made of all-natural fibres such as wool, cotton, linen, silk, hemp, and so on, rather than synthetic fibres such as polyester, nylon, spandex, rayon, acrylic, and so on. Synthetic textiles are oil-based products that are essentially plastic derivatives. For the scientists out there, this means they never biodegrade and have an extremely long half-life.
2. Vintage Shopping – Vintage shopping is the best way to add unique pieces to your wardrobe while being a more conscious consumer, but the experience can be overwhelming. Suppose you’re willing to make minor alterations such as cutting out shoulder pads, taking up hemlines, or swapping belts and buttons. In that case, you’ll have a much more comprehensive selection.
3. Online Shopping – Online shopping can be better for the environment than in-store shopping for a straightforward reason: With online shopping, a single truck or van can replace multiple car trips to stores made by numerous households. Allowing online retailers enough time to load or consolidate their trucks before embarking on delivery runs results in a significant overall reduction in greenhouse-gas emissions compared to in-store shopping.
4. Check Certification – A few gold-standard certifications exist. OEKO-TEX is an independent textile testing and certification system that provides multiple levels of certification, the most basic of which indicates that the product is free of hazardous chemicals. The next level of scrutiny is whether the textiles are produced in a socially and environmentally responsible manner. GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) certification is given to materials that contain at least 70% organic fibres. The Forest Stewardship Council certification indicates that any trees involved were harvested sustainably. Finally, Fair Trade certification certifies that factory workers are paid at or above the minimum wage and that working conditions are safe.
5. Brand Research – Transparency reports are increasingly being published on the websites of sustainable businesses. This allows everyone to see their activities easily. A sustainable fashion brand, for example, will publish regular reports on its credentials and environmental commitment. Most of these businesses will also provide specific information on the fabrics they use for their clothing and other products.
6. Shop for quality and durability – Higher-quality items typically last longer. Examine the quality of your clothing. Check the seams and zippers. Consider durability when shopping, even if it means paying a little more. Investing in well-made clothing will save you money in the long run because you will not have to replace items as frequently.
7. Check shipping details – Approximately 40% of all plastic is used for packaging, resulting in millions of tonnes of plastic waste globally. Much of this ends up in the ocean and other bodies of water, posing a threat to aquatic life and ecosystems. If packaging waste does not end up in the sea, it is frequently disposed of in landfills. When plastic eventually begins to degrade, it pollutes the earth and the ocean with microplastics. However, many brands are refusing to use plastic packaging. Instead, look for businesses that use recycled and recyclable materials not only in their products but also in their boxes and bottles.
