Sustainable shopping is a conscious approach to purchases that considers the environmental, social, and health impacts of buying decisions. It reflects an awareness that every product has a life cycle that affects not only the planet but also the communities and individuals involved in its production. Sustainable shopping prioritizes products that are free from harmful chemicals and toxins and make efficient use of natural resources. Buying sustainable products is a sound investment in the future, and it can also be made more affordable with savvy shopping techniques like couponing.
When consumers choose sustainably made products, they contribute to reducing pollution and conserving natural resources. Sustainable products typically use fewer harmful chemicals, such as pesticides, which can contaminate soil and water systems and worsen health outcomes for consumers. Sustainability can also lower our carbon footprint, reducing the impact of global climate change and helping to protect the planet's ecosystems. And many sustainable brands emphasize ethical labor practices throughout their supply chains, including ensuring fair wages, safe working conditions, and respect for workers' rights. By supporting companies that adhere to these principles, consumers help foster a more equitable economy where workers are treated with dignity.
Sustainable products are made to last, which reduces the amount of waste people produce by throwing away single-use or poorly made items. They're also designed to keep waste out of landfills as much as possible through recycling and reuse, incorporating materials like fabric scraps and recycled plastic bottles. And sustainable products themselves are also often recyclable, promoting a cycle of use and reuse that minimizes waste.
Buying longer-lasting products also means that fewer items need to be shipped from factories to local stores, which reduces harmful emissions associated with transportation. Sustainable manufacturers also often use renewable energy at their facilities and/or buy carbon offsets to minimize their carbon footprint.
Sustainable products prioritize using natural and eco-friendly materials and minimize or eliminate the use of chemicals such as pesticides and BPA, which can harm human health. This reduces the amount of harmful chemicals we're exposed to and keeps these substances from polluting the environment.
You can help the environment by shopping sustainably, paying close attention to what you buy with the goal of minimizing pollution and waste. This can include both longer-term investments like household appliances and clothing and consumables like toothpaste and soap.
Clothing is a major source of pollution, with more than half of the clothing produced every year ending up in landfills. That's why it's important to keep sustainability in mind when shopping for clothing. Here are a few strategies you can use to make more eco-friendly choices:
Personal hygiene products are also a significant source of pollution, from plastic waste to chemicals like avobenzone, a coral-damaging substance found in some sunscreens. Single-use hygiene items are particularly problematic, but there are replacements for many of these. For example, you can buy cotton swabs made with bamboo stems instead of plastic, choose a reusable razor instead of disposable ones, or switch to a menstrual cup instead of using tampons and pads.
Lots of hygiene products are sold in plastic bottles that then need to be disposed of, but you can cut down on this source of plastic waste in a few different ways. Buy things like shampoo and body wash in bulk, preferably in packages that use less plastic, and then refill smaller bottles to use in the shower. You can also opt to buy soaps and shampoo in bar form instead of in bottles.
Store-bought cleansers and other hygiene products can contain chemicals that harm the environment, but you can save the planet and save money by making some of these products yourself at home. Things like soap, deodorant, or mouthwash can be made from natural ingredients in your own kitchen, lowering the amount of mass-produced goods you need to buy.
While shopping sustainably is an admirable goal, it can be a bit more challenging, especially if you're on a tight budget. Many eco-friendly products are more expensive because they're made from higher-quality materials and with ethical labor practices. Some sustainably made products can also be harder to find and buy, especially at traditional brick-and-mortar retailers.
You might be surprised how much you can save, even on sustainably made goods, by using coupons wisely. You can find coupons online for products from eco-conscious companies like Thrive Market and Burt's Bees Baby, helping you to save money on purchases of sustainable goods. Coupons can help bridge the gap between sustainability and affordability, helping people to buy things they feel good about at prices they feel good about.
Looking for coupon codes online is a key part of saving on sustainable products, but you can stretch your savings further by stacking multiple coupons on a single purchase or using a coupon on top of a current sale or promotional offer. You should also keep an eye out for loyalty programs that allow you to earn discounts on future purchases.
Many different types of companies offer coupons, so you can save money on many different sustainable goods. For instance, you can order organic groceries and natural cleaning products online with coupon codes, and you can also find deals on products made from recycled materials, like Rothy's shoes or Patagonia outdoor gear.