Buy Better.
Vote with your dollar.
Social enterprises.
In this age of growing goodwill, there are more and more people using their business as a force for good. When you buy from them, you are ensuring their brand continues to grow and eventually they inspire others to do the same. Support these brands who are accountable to their people and the environment in their production line.
Slow and small.
“We blame society but we are society,” said Almer Alberto. We are quick to criticise and condemn large corporations but we happily buy from them out of convenience. Support small businesses doing the right thing. Support slow fashion. Support designers, creators, and makers who love what they produce. And always choose quality over quantity.
Avoid plastics.
When plastic is created, it cannot be destroyed and there is enough plastic in the world. We unknowingly eat microplastics and scientists have recently found them in the placenta of unborn babies. Buy products made with raw and natural materials, like organic cotton or hemp for clothes, wood and bamboo, or glass. The best way to avoid is to be prepared.
“As consumers, we have so much power to change the world by being careful in what we buy”
-Emma Watson
Tweak #1: Do you want it or need it?
Someone once asked me “what is the most important thing for people to know about sustainability?” and it haunted me for years because I did not have a good answer, but now I know. When you know the difference between wanting something and needing something, you inadvertently become a more sustainable and responsible citizen of the world. Instead of buying things, you start investing in things that last you almost forever. You buy less, you buy quality, and you buy responsibly. T
Tweak #2: Always be prepared.
Convenience will be the death of us. The world that we live in now was designed for convenience, to save us time and money. But time and money will not matter when climate change has depleted all our resources and we are fighting for the survival of our species and our planet. When you are prepared, you will not use one-time-use plastics (straws, cups, bags, ) anymore. When you buy smart, this throw-away culture will start to look insane. It’s more about what you can avoid buying than what you buy out of convenience or on impulse.
