Conscious shopping or conscious consumerism is kind of a buzzword going around for years. But recently you may have noticed that it has become more than just a fancy-trendy word and more of a serious concern to be aware about. What exactly is Conscious consumerism? Why do we need to be conscious while shopping or consuming materialistic pleasure? Because the things we consume leave carbon footprints behind which affect our environment. And as an integral part of the society and environment, we do have some responsibilities to preserve our mother earth. This is where the concept of conscious shopping comes into play. If you are wondering what you can do to play your part as a responsible consumer, then we have prepared this simple guide just for that purpose.
-
Stop impulse purchases: Say no to impulse purchases and embrace smart purchasing habits. Yeah it sounds difficult, especially for the people who really love shopping. For many people, shopping is a hobby or a way to relieve stress. But more often than not, impulse buying ends up in getting things you don't really need. You not only waste your hard earned money or wardrobe space, you create potential waste that threatens the well-being of the environment. So practice resisting the urge to buy whatever and whenever. After putting things in your cart, don't send it to check out immediately. Come back to it after a while and ask yourself these questions-
-
Do you really need these items? Did you check your wardrobe or cupboard to see if you don't already own similar items?
-
Will you like them even after some time passes? Will you use them even after your initial interest fades off?
-
Do these items really cater to your daily lifestyle? Will you be able to put them to practical use?
-
How sustainable are these products? Will they survive vigorous usage for many years and change of ownerships?
-
Can the materials of the products be reused later for different purposes?
If your answers are mostly negative, then that's the sign to re-think your purchasing decision.
-
Find secondhand alternatives: Smart purchasing also means you don't always need to invest money in brand new products. There's a lot of secondhand product retailers or charitable organizations out there that provide second hand products in pretty good condition and at a nominal price. If you are looking for partywear for mostly one-time use, then instead of buying a new garment, opt for rentals. If you are craving a new look for yourself, then it's not necessary that it can only be achieved with new clothes and accessories. Open your wardrobe and take a look at all the things you already own. Mix and match different tops and bottoms and create a fresh outfit which may look as good as new.
-
Repair old things: Before you make a decision to buy something new, try to repair the old item you already have. You don't have to throw away a dress just because it's button is loose or the stitching has come undone. You just need to sew it to restore its previous glory. If you are not confident in your handiwork, then you can always take help from an expert in the field.
-
Recycle things: When an item is beyond repair, try to recycle it before throwing it away. Recycling things is the best way of preventing the creation of waste. This is why it's smart to invest in quality products which can be recycled later. You can always use the material of the dress you won't wear anymore to create your customized curtain or rug.
-
Be mindful of the fabric: When you are purchasing a clothing item, be extra careful of its fabric. You would want to invest in eco-conscious clothing. Some fabrics are much more toxic for the environment than other alternatives. Polyester products take almost 200 years to decompose. On the other hand, fabrics like cotton, linen, wool are more eco-friendly in nature. Not only fabrics, but this rule applies to all other products as well. Try to invest money in organic products which cause less harm to the environment.
-
Research your investments: Take a bit of time out of your schedule to do some quick research on the brands you regularly buy from. Visit their websites and sns platforms. Be inquisitive and ask questions. Where they source their materials from, what the supply chain looks like, what kind of working conditions the workers live in, do they get their deserved wages? If a brand is not transparent about this information to the customers, then that's a sign you should be wary about. That's a sign your regular brand may not be as reliable as you thought. Always make sure that you are investing your precious money somewhere whose values match yours.
-
Support local and small businesses: Instead of big, global brands, support your local businesses and small entrepreneurs. That way you are not only helping them grow, but also benefiting the local economy. Tracing the transparency of the supply chains of small businesses is also far easier. We in Jeena Lavie support a lot of local artists who produce handmade, high-quality products with intricate detailings. We have beautiful silk shawls from JLV, ceramic jewelleries from Nature Wit and Peruvian rugs or jackets from Shaman Luna etc.
-
Say no to fast fashion: The fast fashion industry is extremely harmful for the sustainability of the environment. This industry is the reason for production of many low-quality products in bulk irrespective of demand. Instead of the desired circular economy, this industry runs on a linear one where products are produced and they eventually create a consistent amount of waste. That's why these brands can't be considered sustainable and should not be supported.
- Online shopping is more preferable: A good portion of the carbon emission produced from consumerism comes from the transport people use to go to the shopping malls, markets etc. So stay put in your house as much as you can and do online shopping to prevent leaving behind more carbon footprints.