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With the season’s biggest sales coming up, these tips will help you enjoy online shopping and support sustainable brands.
| All products featured on The Wellness Feed are independently selected by our editors for their environmental and ethical impact. However, we may earn an affiliate commission when you buy something through our retail links. |
Online shopping brings so much ease to our lives. From clothes to gadgets, anything you want can land right on your porch. But this convenience hides a big environmental cost- the boxes, plastic wrap, and delivery trucks burning fuel. This way of buying things is convenient, but also adds a lot to waste and planet-warming gases. So, what can. we do about it?
The answer is a lot. We can support brands that focus on minimal and biodegradable packaging. We can shop for unique vintage finds. When we pick green options, we push the market to change for the better. These and other simple choices allow us to enjoy the convenience of online shopping while also cutting down on waste and our negative impact on the planet.
Decode Sustainable Brands: Beyond Greenwashing
Faherty Cabana Towel Terry Quarter Zip – Sunrise Sail is an oversized quarter zip pullover made from 100% organic cotton. $84 The brand is a certified B Corp.
How can you tell if a brand really cares about the planet and people? Unfortunately, thanks to misleading marketing tactics and claims, terms like “sustainable” and “ethical” have lost part of their meaning. So, as shoppers, we have to do a little digging and look at the details. Ask yourself, “What raw materials are used and where are they sourced? How does the brand treat its workers? Sometimes these questions are answered in sustainability reports. Located in a tab on their website, these yearly reports will detail their metrics and progress. For instance, a brand might list the certifications of its partner factories or share details about raw materials sourced from regenerative farms.
Certifications like B Corp, Fair Trade, or GOTS are also good to look for as they indicate that a brand has met high social and environmental standards set by these organizations.
Support Small Businesses and Local Artisans
Caitlyn Minimalist Lariat Name Necklace is made from sterling silver and 18k gold. $34 The small brand gives back to a number of nonprofits, including 1% for the Planet.
Choosing to support smaller, local shops online can greatly reduce CO2 emissions. They usually have shorter supply chains, and finished products don’t travel as far to get to you. Many small makers also focus on careful, less wasteful ways to produce their goods because of the economic strain of being a small brand.
Platforms like Etsy and UnCommon Goods are great for finding independent creators. You can also discover local online markets in your area. These places allow you to buy unique items while supporting people who care about their craft and the environment.
Understand Product Lifecycle and Materials
Veja Campo Leather Sneakers are made with a combination of leather, organic cotton, and recycled polyester. Made to last, these shoes can also be repaired at the brand’s repair shops in NYC. $175
The most sustainable products are those built to last. One major environmental flaw of fast fashion is how items are designed to fall apart fast, so they’ll be tossed quickly for new items. Similarly, there is a high turnover of electronics, with an estimated 62 billion kilograms tossed into landfills yearly. When shopping, choose items that you can love, use, and reuse for years, versus items you’ll only use a handful of times.
Also, look to support brands that offer repair services. Products you can repair or update stay out of landfills longer. This simple step cuts down on the need for new stuff and saves resources.
Another factor to pay attention to when shopping is the materials. Natural materials- organic cotton, linen, wood, and glass will break down naturally and are better for the Earth than plastic.
Choose Minimal and Eco-Friendly Packaging
Conscious Step Socks The Plant Trees are made from GOTS-certified organic cotton, give back to 1% for the Planet, and are minimally packed in paper and twine that can be composted. $15.95
The boxes and bags your items come in can easily become landfill waste. Look for brands that use minimal packaging. Or, look for materials like recycled cardboard and paper that can be recycled or will break down naturally. Some companies even promise plastic-free shipping.
Consolidate Orders to Reduce Shipments
ILIA Multi-Stick Cream Blush + Highlighter + Lip Tint is a clean, creamy formula with oils meant to nourish skin. $36
Buy this and other favorites to reduce excess shipping from multi-brand retailers like Sephora.
When shopping from large retailers such as Amazon, opt for the shipping option that will consolidate your order. This will minimize the number of trips taken to deliver your package and reduce emissions in the process.
Other retailers may also offer options such as slow or fast delivery. Fast delivery sometimes relies on airplanes or special trucks that make direct, less efficient routes. When you choose standard or ground shipping, your package will travel with others.
So, when you’re at checkout, pick the slower shipping choice. It’s a small and easy way to lower your impact. A little patience can make a big difference for the planet.
Support Vintage, Pre-Loved, & Secondhand
Stella McCartney Shaggy Deer Mini Falabella Fold Over Tote is a chic tote made from vegan leather and pre-loved at FashionPhile. $505
The most sustainable items are the ones we already own. The second-most sustainable are items others own. You can find unique items and give them new life as a gift for yourself or others, while also keeping them out of landfills.
You can also find online shops dedicated to vintage clothes or used books. There’s a huge variety out there. Why buy new when something excellent already exists?
