How to be a Conscious Consumer
Posted on 16 January 2023
As we enter into a new year, it seems apt to consider our future and the steps that we can take to make it a better one! Consuming is inevitable, it is a part of our lives as humans. Whether it is an essential or a luxury, we are constantly coveting or purchasing. Millions of marketing and advertising teams all over the world have the sole objective of encouraging you to part ways with your cash and to buy their product, so fighting against this can often be challenging. However, over-consumption and over-production have hugely detrimental impacts on the natural world. The decimation of forests, the unsustainable exploitation of natural resources, the polluting of waterways, and the enormous volumes of waste being sent to landfill.
If you're ready to take responsibility, here are some tips on how to be more conscious and mindful of the impact of consumerism on the planet:
- Ask yourself 'Do I really need this item?'
- Does the item you're considering buying come from your local area of has it been transported hundreds or thousands of kilometres to reach you? The greater the distance, the worse the carbon footprint.
- How was the item you're considering buying made? Does it come from a big factory with poor practices that churn out high volumes of stock and aren't implementing correct waste management (ie dumping chemical waste into waterways)? Or does it come from a smaller operation that has consideration for the environment (i.e using recycled plastics, or planting trees for every product sold)?
- Will the item you're considering buying come in excessive plastic packaging? Seek out brands that use a bare minimum of packaging, and preferably biodegradable, or oven better - compostable, packaging.
- If you are throwing out and replacing items, consider recycling them or donating them. Avoid putting things directly into you bin as this will ultimately be sent to landfill.
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