The Environmental Benefits of Shopping Responsibly

Guest post by Tanya Henrik

Shopping responsibly can have a positive impact on your life. According to Sloan Magazine, when you think carefully about the products that you buy, you can reduce waste, save money, and build an inventory of belongings that align with your style and withstand decades of use. It’s also well-documented that shopping responsibly can help the environment, especially when you choose brands that prioritise ethical practices and sustainability.

If you want to take these benefits even further, apply a responsible shopping mindset to all your purchases. Choose sustainable wardrobe pieces, buy food from ethical local businesses, and invest in energy-saving home improvement technologies. In this article, we’ll discuss how responsible shopping in the aforementioned areas can help the environment.

Buying From Sustainable Food Producers Prevents Soil Degradation

Efficient mass scale food production often comes at the expense of the environment. Eco and Beyond, an online environmental publication, explains that many food manufacturers use harmful pesticides and artificial fertilisers, which can harden soil and diminish fertility when overused. On the other hand, sustainable farms use natural methods to protect their crops. Many sustainable farmers use crop rotation to maintain soil fertility, while others allow natural predators to protect crops, thus reducing pesticide-induced pollution.

When you buy food from ethical farms, you support sustainable agricultural practices. If you want to take your support of the environment even further, you can also try supporting local food businesses. Getting your food from nearby sources means minimising the pollution caused by food transportation.

Choosing Slow Fashion Reduces Wardrobe Waste

As we discussed in ‘Reasons to NOT Shop on Black Friday and Cyber Monday’, the fast fashion industry is one of the biggest contributors to pollution. Americans, in particular, generate about 80 pounds of clothing-related waste per year. Because of the combination of excessive clothing waste and harmful manufacturing practices, the fashion industry became the 5th most polluting industry on earth.

To prevent clothing-related waste from further enlarging our planet’s landfills, you need to be more mindful about what you buy. Rather than buying dozens of low-quality pieces that will become unusable within a few months, why not invest in a few high-quality garments that you can treasure for decades? Additionally, you can promote sustainable manufacturing practices by buying clothes from ethical brands. Many modern brands use eco-friendly fabrics, such as recycled cotton, organic bamboo, and organic linen.

Investing in Eco-Friendly Home Improvements Reduces Carbon Footprint Reduction

Today, there are many home improvement innovations you can buy to reduce your household’s energy consumption. Among the many home improvement technologies gaining traction today, one useful innovation is the solar panel. Solar panels can be installed on your roof or yard to convert sunlight into useable electricity. A Hoymiles article on going solar notes that switching to solar energy can significantly reduce your carbon footprint, given that you’ll no longer have to rely on fossil fuels. This way, you can contribute to the overall reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

Another energy-reducing home improvement you can look into is insulation. Installing insulation material inside your home can keep the inside protected from outdoor heat and cold. In a Guardian feature on eco-friendly home makeovers, one family notes how adding insulation to their loft cost them only £200. In the long run, they saved money on heating bills. Like solar panel installation, insulating your home can reduce your household’s carbon footprint.

As an individual, you can still play a role in fighting climate change. Smart shopping choices when buying food, clothing, home improvements, and other items can reduce your contribution to environmental degradation.