Chances are you’ve already swapped out plastic bags for reusable ones, proudly sporting them during your weekly grocery haul. But sustainable shopping extends far beyond your choice of carryall — it’s about transforming every purchase into an opportunity for impact. With the concept of sustainable shopping gaining traction worldwide, there’s growing curiosity about how to shop in ways that genuinely benefit the planet, its inhabitants, and the communities we live in.

In this article, we’ll delve into not just the “what” of sustainable shopping but the “how” of transforming our intentions into actions that contribute to a wider cause. Here’s how each choice at the checkout can conserve resources, support fair trade and local jobs, and even help vulnerable people and animals right where we live — urging us to think twice and shop once.

What Is Sustainable Shopping?

Sustainable shopping means making purchasing decisions that are both environmentally and socially responsible. It involves choosing to buy from sellers that use or facilitate eco-friendly practices as well as seeking out products whose production or sale minimizes environmental impact — and, ideally, supports social justice in some way.

Why Shopping Sustainably Matters

FOR PEOPLE AND THE PLANET

Shopping sustainably has profound impacts on both the planet and our communities. It reduces water, soil, and air pollution; decreases waste; conserves natural resources; and supports fair labor practices. All of this helps to slow global warming and improve health and quality of life for people, animals, and entire ecosystems.

A major area in which sustainability concerns converge is fast fashion. It causes especially devastating forms of pollution and natural resource loss, and it often generates profits on the backs of sweatshop laborers and other poorly treated workers.

Each sustainable clothing, accessory, and jewelry purchase you make not only avoids waste and inhumane practices but also contributes to lessening the overall demand for fast fashion. Consumer demand for sustainability can be a powerful influence on wider retail practices, pressuring more companies to adopt responsible policies.

FOR  YOU (YES, YOU)!

Did you know that doing good is beneficial to your mental health (and can even help you live longer)? Studies have proven that acting for the benefit of others — including doing things like shopping sustainably — can:

• Reduce stress
• Decrease blood pressure
• Release feel-good endorphins
• Increase your sense of satisfaction with life
• Promote overall happiness and well-being
• Increase life expectancy

Now that you know the why of shopping sustainably, you’re ready for the how.

Ways to Shop Sustainably

You can use your purchasing power for good by adopting these straightforward shopping habits.

Minding Your Digital Carbon Footprint

Given the massive increase in online shopping in recent years, it’s crucial to be attentive about your digital purchasing habits. Try to purchase from companies that are committed to eco-friendly sourcing, manufacturing, packaging, and delivery practices as well as fair pay and healthy working conditions for their employees. You can also do more sustainable online shopping by combining your orders into as few separate deliveries as possible to reduce the amount of fossil fuels burned by delivery vehicles.

Thinking Small With Big Impact

You can shop with a good conscience and support your community by doing the following:

• Shopping small. Whenever you can, choose small, locally owned businesses and organizations. Many of these retailers source goods sustainably, and all of them create jobs in your community. When you support small business owners with your hard-earned funds, you keep more money in the ecosystem of your local economy.
• Traveling wisely. Minimize your carbon emissions by avoiding the use of a car when possible. Consider walking, biking, or taking public transportation when you visit local shops. If you must drive, try to combine trips or carpool with a friend or family member who has nearby errands to run.

Turning Back Time With Thrift and Vintage Stores

Thrift shops and vintage shops are excellent places to make sustainable purchases. By purchasing second-hand, you’re not only saving items from landfills but also reducing the demand for new goods — including and especially fast fashion. These shopping methods significantly cut down on the waste and pollution associated with producing new garments.

Doubling Your Impact: Shopping in Support of Good Causes

If you really want to maximize the good you accomplish with your spending, look no further than a good nonprofit or charity shop. Charity and nonprofit stores offer a unique opportunity to double your impact: shopping sustainably while also supporting specific, meaningful causes. Proceeds from nonprofit shopping often fund much-needed community services, such as assisting low-income populations or providing essential care for pets.

Your purchases will be all the more meaningful when you choose organizations with missions you’re passionate about — and they make excellent conversation pieces and incredibly thoughtful gifts, too.

Sustainable shopping represents a powerful tool for positive change that is accessible to everyone. By opting for local and nonprofit retailers of goods that use or promote ethical practices, you not only embrace a more sustainable lifestyle but also do more to help people or animals in your community. So, the next time you have shopping to do, use your dollar to do more than just obtain stuff — spend it in service of your community and planet.

Shop Sustainably and Save Pets With the FACE Foundation

Did you know you can shop sustainably and help save pets’ lives in one place? Our Wag N’ Purr Shop is an online resale boutique selling new and gently used handbags, jewelry, accessories, men’s items, and more. 100% of store profits benefit pets in need of critical and lifesaving care! Shop now or donate gently used jewelry, handbags and accessories.

Established in 2006 by a group of veterinarians and concerned community members, the Foundation for Animal Care and Education (FACE) is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) public charity that provides financial grants for animal owners who are unable to afford the cost of their pet’s emergency or critical care. Our Save-A-Life Program works to address the tragedy of economic euthanasia. Our grantees are typically low-income families, senior citizens, veterans, military families, students, and people with disabilities.

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FACE’s work is as important for the animals we save and the veterinarians who treat them as it is for the families spared the heartbreak of losing their best friend. Your tax-deductible donation funds life-saving veterinary care for beloved family pets. Give today!