How To Shop More Ethically in 2019
Here at Heavenly Organics we place ethics at the heart of everything we do. We strive to make our skin care products as kind for the planet and the animals living on it as they are for your skin, by using 100% vegan, organic and natural ingredients. We also promote a zero waste lifestyle by refusing to use plastic packaging and offering refill options where at all possible.
Shopping ethically can however be something of a minefield and that’s why we’ve decided to round up some really useful tips for ethical shopping, to help you make a real difference in 2019 – for animals, people and the planet.
Shop with local, independent retailers
Shopping locally with small independent retailers is a powerful way to support your local economy and take a stand against the unethical practices of the large chain stores. Small independents often have more localised supply chains, which means that the money they spend on business services also stays within the local economy. Keeping money within the local economy in this way helps to stop it being swallowed up by the corporations and sucked out by their profit-driven shareholders.
A localised supply chain means that the products you buy often have a much shorter journey to the shop shelf. As an example, buying exotic fruit which has been flown halfway around the world has a much greater environmental impact than purchasing seasonal, locally grown produce from a small independent grocer. Locally produced goods often use less packaging too, which is also a win for the environment.
Shop second hand and at zero waste stores
Instead of purchasing brand new products, try sourcing items second hand from charity shops, flea markets, or via online websites such as Gumtree or Freegle instead. This can not only be a great way of grabbing a bargain, it also reduces the amount of money that flows to big brands with questionable ethical practices. As you’re reusing an existing product, you’re not demanding that more resources are used up, which is good for the environment too. For extra eco points, source second hand goods locally and collect them by bike or public transport, when you possibly can.
Zero waste stores are starting to pop up in many towns and cities and these are great places to buy. Taking along a refillable container really helps to reduce wasteful packaging, and your purchase will also help to support a small local independent business.
Shop at co-operatives
Co-operatives are businesses which are owned and run by their own members and they represent probably one of the most progressive business types in the country today. Co-ops have strong internal democracy, which means that everyone has a say in how the business is run. The power to make decisions is in the hands of workers, rather than with profit-driven corporate executives in a remote boardroom. Co-ops incorporate strong ethical principles and work hard to ensure employees are treated very fairly.
Yorkshire-based Suma Wholefoods is a great example of an ethical co-op. They’re an equal pay employer, and each employee has an equal say and an equal share in the business. They help employees to learn new skills and are strong supporters of community events, regularly offering contributions of food and sponsoring festivals and charity days. Suma also work with local food banks to minimise their food waste and support those in need of a helping hand.
Upcycle and repair
It goes without saying that we should recycle glass, plastic and paper whenever possible – but have you considered trying to upcycle, before putting waste straight in the recycling bin? Upcycling means reusing waste and turning it into a useful item which serves another purpose. Whilst recycling is preferable to just throwing waste away and consigning it to landfill, upcycling is even more eco friendly as it does not require additional energy and resources. Simply search online for ‘upcycling ideas’ and you’ll find lots of inspirational tips on how to transform old goods into handy new items.
Instead of discarding and replacing damaged or broken items, why not spend a little time trying to repair them instead? As well as saving money and resources, learning new skills and fixing items by yourself can be really rewarding. DIY instructions on how to repair a wide variety of goods can be found quite easily online.
Buy organic
Buying organic produce means that food, cosmetics and other goods are produced using more environmentally friendly methods. This means that no genetically modified ingredients or artificial chemical fertilisers are used and the use of pesticides is severely restricted.
Organic farming is better for the environment because it’s less dependent on non-renewable fossil fuel-based fertilisers and pesticides, as well as helping to store more carbon in the land, helping to combat climate change. It’s also better for animals as chemical fertilisers and pesticides, which harm wildlife, are hugely reduced. Our own health can benefit too, as by consuming organic food and cosmetics we are reducing the amount of harmful chemicals that enter our bodies.
Of course, buying organic produce doesn’t necessarily mean that a purchase is entirely ethical. Organic items may still come packaged in plastic, which clearly isn’t good for the environment. In addition to plant crops the term organic encompasses meat and other animal products such as milk and eggs. As strong advocates of a vegan lifestyle, we do not believe that organic food produced by exploiting, abusing and killing animals can ever be described as ethical.
Online resources make ethical shopping easier
Trying to research companies by yourself can be a time consuming affair. Thankfully there are organisations which have already done a lot of research and whose websites provide a wealth of information on ethical shopping. Ethical Consumer provide insightful tables which rate brands on their ethical credentials, and the website has over 120 guides covering various consumer niches such as mobile phones, banking, clothes shops and many more. They also feature a directory of brands which consumers across the world are boycotting due to their questionable ethics, allowing you to avoid companies which are negatively impacting on humans, animals, and the planet.
We hope you’ve found our tips for ethical shopping useful. If you have any more, please do share them with us!