With rising pressure on all of us to safeguard the planet’s limited natural resources with sustainable products, there has never been a better moment to develop green and sustainable purchasing habits. Some individuals are concerned that going green would cost them more money, yet in many situations, they will save money. Furthermore, purchasing sustainably may enrich your life while also ensuring you’re doing your part to help the earth.

Here are some simple guidelines for shopping sustainably.

Buy local

Next time you go shopping, think how far the product you are buying has traveled to reach the shelves. As much as you can, buy items that have been sourced, made or harvested locally. Less travel means less carbon dioxide emissions, and for fresh food, in particular, it almost always tastes much better. As a general rule, if you stick to buying seasonal produce, it’s more likely to have been harvested locally.

Reduce plastic waste

Avoid buying products that have been excessively packaged, or packaged in materials that can’t be recycled. Buy fresh fruit and vegetables loose rather than in plastic wrapping. Whenever you go shopping, always take your own bags with you. Plastic is a real environmental problem, both in how it’s produced and how it’s disposed of.

Choose sustainable products

When you go shopping, choose products that have been responsibly sourced and produced without the use of harmful chemicals or pesticides, such as organic. Consider buying Fair Trade items, from food to clothing. If you are on holiday, avoid buying any souvenirs that may have been manufactured using unethical, scarce or endangered animal products. 

Look for items made from timber that carry the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) label. This covers a wide range of products, from wooden furniture to paper and toilet rolls. 

If you enjoy eating seafood, check labels on fish, such as tuna or salmon, to see if it contains the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) Certification mark.

Buy recycled and second hand

Products that have been recycled are champions for the environment, so put these on your shopping list. Instead of buying new all the time, browse charity stores, junk shops or visit car boot sales to shop for pre-loved items. You can save a lot of money by shopping this way, and can often come across a real gem of a find.

Opt for biodegradable cleaning products

Granted, you do tend to pay more for green cleaning products, but prices have dropped over the years and many supermarkets have started to produce their own, budget-friendly versions. Cost aside, buying biodegradable cleaning products is better for the environment, soil and water. Containing natural ingredients, biodegradable cleaning products may also be healthier for humans, too. 

Consider energy efficient goods

Electrical items in the home can guzzle energy, so if you need to upgrade a domestic appliance or electrical gadget, choose one with the best energy efficiency rating that you can afford. Although it may cost more initially, over time the money you save from reduced energy bills will soon pay for itself.

Shopping and clothes care are simple strategies to lower our carbon footprint and protect our planet’s soil, freshwater, and oceans.

Here are some easy strategies for stocking an eco-friendly closet with clothing that looks beautiful and lasts a long time:

Shop secondhand first. Buy pre-owned clothing from thrift shops, consignment shops, vintage sources, and online resale shops. Earth-friendly benefit: You’ll be reducing impacts on the environment and waste from the overproduction of new merchandise.

Buy fewer clothes. Value what you buy.  Buy clothes you know you will wear many times because they look good and fit well.  With carefully chosen clothes, you can mix and match items to create many different looks. Fewer, better-made clothes with the right accessories can give you a more sophisticated and stylish look than volumes of cheaper clothing. 

Read Also: How do You Make Green Cleaning Products?

You’ll look better and find creativity in styling on your own.

Invest only in clothes you really like and need. Consider not what is being pushed at you by fashion designers but instead look at your own style and what you want to communicate.  Before you buy a new piece of clothing, consider if you have a similar piece in your wardrobe already.

Shop locally. Buy from local shops for clothes, buy from local craftspeople to accessorize your outfits and use your neighborhood tailor for adjustments. 

Earth-friendly benefit: Buying clothes locally reduces carbon emissions from shipping while supporting your local economy.

Go natural. Buy clothing made with natural fabric fibers instead of synthetic fabrics. Natural alternatives to synthetic fabrics include cotton, linen, bamboo, flax, jute, silk, wool, and alpaca. Also look into low impact materials such as Modal and Lyocell.  Avoid polyester, nylon, spandex and acrylic. These materials are made from petroleum, a high-emission fossil fuel. 

Earth-friendly benefit:  You’ll reduce the amount of microplastics in rivers and oceans that come from synthetic fibers that shed during washing.

Buy organic. Buy clothing made with organic fabrics when you can.

Earth-friendly benefit: You’ll play a part in reducing the use of pesticides and herbicides as well as keeping the Earth’s water sources clean.

Shop sustainable brands. Choose ethical brands that care about the environment, pay their workers fairly, and are transparent across their entire supply chain – not just one part.  Many companies promote certain clothing lines as having been made with renewable materials, but still use unethical labor practices to make the clothing. Make sure to do your research on a brand before you buy from them. 

Earth-friendly benefit: You’ll be taking business away from companies that pollute our planet in favor of ones that care about people and the Earth.

Shop for quality over quantity. Higher quality pieces often last longer. Check the workmanship of your clothing. Check seams and zippers. Shop with durability in mind even if it is somewhat more costly. Investing in well-made clothes will save you money in the long run by not having to keep replacing items. 

Bonus: With many more wears, your investment will pay off over time.

Buy from designers who will repair their garments for free or for a small fee. High-quality items usually have lifetime guarantees or are made to be repairable. On the other hand, trendy, low-quality items are sometimes made to last one season and be thrown away. 

Buy from designers or organizations that are willing to take back their used garments and recycle them or find responsible organizations that will recycle. They may even give credit or cash back for your used clothes.

Look for certifications. It is important to keep an eye out for certifications that prove that clothes are made sustainably and ethically. 

Swap with friends and neighbors. Host a clothing swap with friends. 

Earth-friendly benefit: You’ll divert waste from landfills while having fun adding pieces to your wardrobe!

Donate, don’t throw out. One person’s trash is another’s treasure. Donate unwanted clothing to thrift stores or local shelters instead of throwing them out. 

Earth-friendly benefit: You’ll divert waste from landfills while supporting your local community.

Sell unwanted clothing. Sell your clothing on online or brick and mortar resale shops. There are so many websites and apps which allow you to buy and sell used clothing. 

Earth-friendly benefit:  You’ll divert waste from landfills while earning money!

Upcycle clothing. You can work wonders with a pair of scissors and a needle and thread and give new life to an old garment. 

Earth-friendly benefit:  You’ll divert waste from landfills and save money! When you repair your clothes, you make each piece unique and special!

Know that you cannot make systemic changes. Not as individuals, but collectively we as customers can force the industry to change its current business model based on price and volume to one of value.  Through our purchasing power, we can affect the dynamic and the trajectory of fast fashion. 

Why Shopping Sustainably Is Important

The average person in the U.S. generates about 14 tons of greenhouse gasses each year, according to Statista. That’s more than three times the global average. To prevent a 2-degree Celsius rise in global temperatures, which scientists say would lead to a collapse of natural systems, the average global footprint needs to drop substantially.

Human activity has already begun to strip the earth of resources, resulting in deforestation, water and soil contamination, overfishing, and climate change. For these reasons, the planet needs people to adopt eco-friendly purchasing habits, which can help in the following ways.

Reducing Waste

Single-use items and other products people buy are quickly thrown away, creating excess waste. Many products also come with packaging that is immediately discarded. “We do so much over-packaging here in America. And, by the way, you pay for it,” states Dr. Kyra Krakos, assistant professor of biology and sustainability program coordinator at Maryville University.

Sustainable products, however, don’t end up in landfills; they’re specifically designed to be reused, repurposed, or recycled.

Often, the materials of sustainable products come from items that would have otherwise gone in the garbage. For example, you can buy wallets made from non-recyclable billboard vinyl and eyewear made from discarded plastic pulled out of the ocean.

Lowering Greenhouse Gas Emissions

The manufacturing of conventional products typically involves the burning of fossil fuels for energy and the use of chemicals. Both emit large amounts of greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere. More than 20% of greenhouse gas emissions come from the industry sector, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Sustainable product manufacturing, on the other hand, makes use of green and renewable energy, such as wind and solar power. It also aims to use the most energy efficient processes, which helps reduce or eliminate greenhouse gas emissions.

Improving Health

Improved health should also motivate individuals to shop sustainably. Traditional products often contain chemicals such as flame retardants, formaldehyde, and BPAs, which can interrupt endocrine function, affect the immune system, and even have adverse effects on fetal development.

Sustainable products that avoid the use of such harmful substances can help reduce people’s exposure to chemicals with negative health risks. Additionally, because sustainable products tread more lightly on the planet, they help decrease disease-causing air, water, and soil contamination. The World Health Organization estimates that 4.2 million people die each year from air pollution alone.

There are a number of changes you can make in your shopping habits to minimize your impact on the environment. “Whether you live in a dorm room or a full house, everyone can take a look at their carbon footprint or energy footprint,” state Krakos.

While you should consider adopting sustainable shopping practices when buying items such as electronics and household furniture, you also can make responsible choices for your most frequent purchases. These include clothing and personal hygiene products.

Sustainable Shopping Tips for Buying Clothing

The fashion industry is the world’s third-largest polluter, according to a recent World Economic Forum report. Additionally, a 2021 report by thredUP estimates that 64% of the 32 billion clothing items produced annually end up in landfills.

These numbers underscore the importance of making responsible choices when purchasing clothing. Some general ideas to keep in mind when it comes to sustainable clothes shopping include:

• Thrift Shopping Instead of Buying New Clothes

Buying secondhand clothing helps preserve the earth’s natural resources and prevents the additional pollution created by producing new garments. Not only can thrift stores provide shoppers with excellent bargains, but they often sell nearly new clothing alongside unique vintage pieces.

• Choosing Clothing Made from Natural Fibers Instead of Synthetic Fibers

The production of synthetic fibers, such as polyester and nylon, creates significantly more carbon emissions than the production of natural fibers. Even conventionally made cotton requires the extensive use of harmful pesticides and involves the use of more water and energy in its production than organically produced cotton. However, choosing clothing made from plant-based and organically produced fabrics can substantially reduce one’s ecological footprint.

• Selecting Classic Styles Rather Than Following Fast-Moving Trends

Selecting articles with longevity and versatility can cut back on a closet full of clothes that have barely seen daylight. Fast fashion trends often lead to people wearing clothing items one or two times. Steer clear of fads; instead, focus on buying timeless styles that will endure.

• Opting for High-Quality, Durable Clothing Rather Than Cheap, Poorly Made Clothing

Though purchasing high-quality apparel can cost more initially, the clothing’s durability makes up the difference in the long run. It’s also worth noting that cheap fashion has an extremely high environmental price tag considering most of it ends up in the dump. So, instead of buying a slew of poorly made items, purchase a smaller collection of well-crafted, durable ones that will last across many seasons.