Buy responsibly – it is easier than you think!
Responsible buying means well-considered decisions and, as a result, less unnecessary things. Before we put something in our shopping trolley, let us think if we really need it. Perhaps another unnecessary product extending our home supplies will eventually end up in the trash.
We buy too much and then throw away a lot of it. This phenomenon can be avoided. It is enough if we stick to a few very simple rules that will have an indirect positive impact on the condition of our planet and will directly result in our considerable savings.
Plan before you shop
Before going shopping, make a list of essential products and stick to it consistently. Never succumb to special offers, such as a 3-for-2 offer. You should always calmly analyse whether you will use a larger number of products. Do not buy things you do not like (even an extremely low price of prawns will not be a sufficient reason to buy them if there are no seafood lovers among your household members). In this way, you will avoid unnecessary supplies and reduce waste by not throwing away unused products.
Use reusable shopping bags
You can sew bags for fruit and vegetable from an old curtain, and for bread – from an old linen tablecloth. If you do not like to make such things yourself, you can buy ready products made from leftover pieces of fabrics, for example, in large sewing factory or in a private sewing room. You can find online many designers offering such products made by hand. By buying such a bag, you support a local artist and get a one-of-a-kind item.
Do not forget to take a cloth bag for shopping. Remember that you should consistently use the same bag over a long period of time. It is best to forget about plastic disposable bags once and for all.
Buy local and seasonal products
It is much easier to contribute to the improvement of the environment by choosing local and seasonal food products. The transport of exotic fruits and vegetables produces huge amounts of exhaust gas and pollutants. By choosing regional products, you shorten the supply chain to a minimum (i.e., the path from production facility to your home), and support Polish manufacturers.
Choose ecological and/or recycled materials
Be aware of what clothes and shoes you plan to buy are made of. Choose rather organic cotton, Tencel (Lyocell), linen or Econyl, as well as shoes with a sole made of natural rubber or items made of eco-leather. Pay attention to certifications such as GOTS (Global Organic Textiles Standard). This is a guarantee that the manufacturer is not indifferent to social and environmental issues.
Choose ecological products
There are many labels that define products as organic (including Ecological Certificate of the Polish Centre for Testing and Certification, EU Ecolabel, Ecocert, GOTS, MSC, FSC, and many more). The analysis of business processes in this respect begins at the stage of obtaining raw materials and involves also working conditions and transparently informing customers about the composition of the product or the type of packaging used. These types of activities are supported by a complex certification system that informs whether products are manufactured under certain pro-environmental rules. Therefore, choose labelled products that were made with respect for the environment and human work.
It is worth paying attention to the cruelty-free labels which can be granted to vegan cosmetics and household chemicals. Thanks to this, you can be sure that products that you buy have not been tested on animals at any stage of production.
Pay attention to the packaging
Buy things packed in materials that are biodegradable (you can even find biodegradable rubbish bags and dog waste bags), recyclable (glass, paper, metal), returnable (bottles), refillable or made of recycled materials. After using a packaging, segregate it according to their intended use.
Stop buying bottled water
Instead of paying for water in disposable plastic bottles, choose reusable water bottles (made of glass, metal or plastic) with a replaceable organic filter that improves the taste of tap water. In this way, you do not harm the environment and in addition you can save a lot.
Do not drive the demand for new products
As a conscious consumer, you can use alternatives that are offered by all kinds of rentals or points of exchange. Use libraries and buy second-hand things, not only clothes but also furniture or electronic devices. When buying a brand-new product, pay attention to where it comes from and whether the entrepreneur takes into account environmental and social issues during its production.
There is no doubt that such information is often difficult to find but there are certifications (e.g., Fairtrade) that can help. It is particularly important that you support manufacturers who respect human rights and limit their negative impact on the environment in the best possible way.
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