Facts and hacks on how to be a conscious consumer

We’ve recently launched the first Ethical Living Membership, so we thought we’d share what it really means to follow a sustainable lifestyle and why it’s important.

What is consuming ethically?

Consuming ethically, sustainable living and conscious shopping all refer to the idea of being conscious of the consequences (positive and negative) each purchase you make has. It means favouring brands that are fairtrade, pay living wages, promote diversity, are cruelty-free and have a sustainability mission.

The purchases we make have consequences on the environment, on workers and on people. Consuming ethically is awesome, it promotes the idea that we are a part of something bigger, that our individual mark has meaning. But how exactly?

Photo by Fateme Alaie on Unsplash

Why is it important to be a conscious consumer?

The more demand we create, the more responsive companies will become. Let's take fast fashion as an example. We all would love to buy clothes that look nice and don’t break the bank, but at what cost? A very cheap pair of jeans has seriously negative consequences for workers (who are underpaid), communities (where poverty is the norm), and the environment (with horrible production practices that pollute the water and bad quality garments that end up in landfills in no time).

In May the UK had reached its National Earth Overshoot day. Meaning that the UK consumed all of the resources that the earth can regenerate in a year in just 5 months!

We don’t have unlimited resources. Our demand for products, food etc is out of control and super unsustainable. We need to change. And until we get systematic change, we have to use our purchasing power to drive big corporations to change. 

‘There is no ethical consumption under capitalism’ debunked

If you use the internet (which clearly you do since you’re here) then you’ve probably seen the phrase above. Made popular after being posted all over the internet in the form of Sonic the Hedgehog memes, suggests that it’s not possible to consume ethically under a capitalist society as all purchases are contributing to some form of immoral act. 

To some extent, yeah it’s true. But there are so many easy ways that we can make a difference and show these big corporations who’s boss!

Here are some small everyday ways that we can consume more ethically:

Recycle, upcycle, reuse

Apply this rule of three to all areas in your life. Get creative and have fun with this one! That empty Hilltop Honey pot has so much potential. We’ll give you a hint… a homemade candle, a trinket pot, an iced coffee glass!  

Need not, want not

Purchasing only what you need. Consuming more sustainably means consuming within your means. It lessens the pressure on society and brands to constantly produce new stuff. 

This is especially relevant to food. Food waste is a huge issue, it’s estimated that £13 billion worth of food is thrown away yearly just in the UK. Check out this article for some great ways to reduce your household food waste!

By consuming only what we need, we will reduce the pressure on resources.

Beware the greenwasher

Ethical brands will be bragging all about how they are fighting the good fight. So if you are struggling to find how a certain company supports the causes they are claiming to consume, chances are they are catfishing. 

Want more tips on how to avoid greenwashing? Read more about avoiding greenwashing here.

Boycott the baddies

A great way to consume more ethically is to just stop shopping from the bad guys. That means no more same-day delivering your vitamins from Amazon. Ethical Consumer have a big list of companies across the world that organisations are calling boycotts of. Go check it out!

Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash

Consider which banks have control of your money

Your savings don’t sit in the bank idly waiting for you to spend it. Banks invest your savings into projects, and if your bank isn’t cool, they may be using your money to invest in something naughty. Check out our responsible banking category for some banks that are investing in good.

Set a goal

There are so many ways that you can be a conscious consumer and so many ways that your consumerism can create negative effects. Breathe. No one is expecting you to never consume immorally again. 

Set goals about how you can change your impact for good, make them daily, monthly, yearly. A good example is, “by the end of the year I will have quit fast fashion”. 

Use Goodfind to support brands who are making a good impact

Join our Ethical Living Membership and discover brands that are worth your money and support. With over 130 products from more than 20 carbon-neutral, vegan and plastic-free brands if you’re anywhere between birth and death, we’ve got something for you!

Words by Leonie Carver