How to Shop More Sustainably

You are here, which means you absolutely have an idea about what sustainability is! There are many modern terms floating about, such as “clean,” “green,” and “non-toxic,” that are associated with sustainable alternatives. However, companies often employ a strategy known as "greenwashing" to deceive consumers into believing products are more sustainable than they are. 

What Is Sustainability?

Sustainability is a broad term encompassing many different factors, though in essence, to be sustainable in the modern world is to act in a manner that is conscientious, responsible, and intentional when navigating environmental, social, and economic matters. Businesses have the opportunity to imbue sustainability into their practices, and as a consumer, you have the power to support sustainable practices in a manner that works best for you.

Environmental, Economic, and Social Impact

So, what are the primary factors of sustainability?

The sustainability field is continually evolving, though for the most part, sustainability comprises the following elements:

1. Environmental Impact

2. Economic Impact

3. Social Impact

Here is a brief overview of each facet to help you feel empowered as you choose the companies, non-profits, and brands you wish to support.  

Environmental Impact

Experience with this type of impact is almost ubiquitous in modern culture. However, it can be difficult to confidently know whether a brand is environmentally conscientious. Below are a few ways to streamline information in order to assess environmental responsibility.

1. Read the Full Ingredient List

   • If there are any puzzling terms, it is likely because there are less expensive, though relatively less environmentally healthy, alternative ingredients in products. These ingredients end up in the water supply, atmosphere, and earth as they are used. Companies that do not consider the long-term damage of their ingredients unfortunately miss the opportunity to positively impact the environment. 

2. Look for Certifications

   • This goes one step further than reviewing ingredients and considers the big picture. When this is not accounted for, companies are free to disregard their impact. This article covers a documentary exploring how jean factories in the ‘denim capital of the world’ turned their local rivers blue. Visit our Certifications blog post to learn more about which certifications denote sustainable environmental management! For now, here are a couple of great certifications to look for on labels.

• Global Organic Textile Standard

• 1% for the Planet

• OEKO-TEX Standard 100

Economic Impact

There are many ways to measure economic impact, though my personal favorite is to consider the local community. Modern manufacturing spans the globe, which means there is an opportunity for positive impact across the world. Conversely, there is also the potential for exploitation. When considering economic impact, here are a few strategies for supporting brands that support their communities.

1. Buy Local

   • This may be a cliché, though it is true for a reason. Supporting local entrepreneurs and producers supports economic vitality within a community. Conversely, supporting major companies that outsource their production often means encouraging economic vitality solely within the company. 

2. Support Small Businesses

   • While this may be another cliché, it is equally important. These businesses often have a more sustainable environmental and social impact as well because they operate on a smaller scale. Personally, I like to solely support small businesses when shopping for gifts. This is a great way to discover the small businesses in your community and find fun, creative products that will always bring a smile. 

Social Impact

While each facet of sustainability is interconnected, social impact effortlessly harmonizes with the previous two. When the environment is managed responsibly, and economic vitality is encouraged, people flourish. 

Here are a few questions to help you reflect on your own social impact.

1. Which ingredients do I come into contact with on a daily basis?

   • Food, cosmetics, cleaning agents, and clothing are just a couple of examples of the products we interact with daily. Considering each of these elements can be overwhelming, though I would recommend starting small and choosing an area you are most interested in. I like to use the Yuka App when shopping for food and cosmetic products to scan barcodes and immediately learn which ingredients are safe, low risk, or high risk.

2. Which brands do I support?

   • Finding a company you believe can make all the difference when imbuing joy into your sustainability journey. There are many amazing brands out there who are fighting the good fight and doing wonderful work. (Here are a few of my personal favorites! MATE the Label, Branch Basics, My local food co-op: Outpost Natural Foods)

3. Which area of sustainability is most important to me?

   • Increase your own positive social impact by honoring your authentic proclivities and finding a sustainability strategy that works for you. Start small, and surprise yourself with all you can learn and how much you can positively impact your world. 

Sustainability in Practice

I promise, there are options available to you that will make you feel excited and hopeful about sustainability. This is a brief overview, though the rest of the journey is completely up to you. There are so many beautiful options, and I hope this information helps you feel empowered to chase them.

References:

“What Is Greenwashing?,” Courtney Lindwall, 02/09/2023, NRDC - https://www.nrdc.org/stories/what-greenwashing

Global Organic Textile Standard, “Environmental Criteria”- https://global-standard.org/the-standard/gots-key-features/ecological-and-social-criteria

Federal Trade Commission, “Apparel and Labeling” - https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/topics/tools-consumers/apparel-labeling

“7 Reasons to Shop Local and Support Small Businesses,” Joseph Lustberg, 06/28/2022, Forbes - https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbesfinancecouncil/2022/06/28/7-reasons-to-shop-local-and-support-small-businesses/

Yuka App Download Link - https://yuka.io/en/

MATE the Label, "Shop All" - https://matethelabel.com/collections/all

1% for the Planet, "Home Page" - https://www.onepercentfortheplanet.org/

OEKO-TEX, "OEKO-TEX Standard 100" - https://www.oeko-tex.com/en/our-standards/oeko-tex-standard-100