#ethical consumer

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Screenshots from Ethical Consumer Issue 213 and from Boycat's Google Play Store page

Changing our lifestyles to be more sustainable can be daunting. It may feel like whatever changes we make won’t actually be able to affect the bigger picture. Or maybe it is just we don’t know where to start because it can be so hard to find sustainable alternatives, brands and actions that can be easily incorporated in our lives without breaking the bank. But I am here to tell you that making small changes to be a touch more green can help make a difference.

A few months ago, before the whole world was only talking about Coronavirus, I asked some of my friends what they thought an ethical consumer was and if they thought they were one. The actual definition of an ethical consumer is someone who has concerns towards “animal welfare, labour standards, human rights, health-related issues and … environmental issues” and alters their purchases appropriately (Auger & Devinney, 2007: 362). Although I do think lots of people care about these issues, I don’t imagine many people action these attitudes into behaviour (unless you happen to be a vegan, growing your own crops, with a wardrobe full of hand-me-downs and solar panels sourcing your electricity – in which case, well done!). So, you can imagine my surprise when over half my friends said they thought they were ethical consumers. And I think this sums up our problem; we buy free range eggs once a week and think that counteracts everything else we’re doing wrong. It is unlikely that myself and whoever is reading this will ever become perfect ethical consumers, but as one of my friends said (who did not crown herself an ethical consumer when asked), she is an ethical consumer in progress. Unless you are prepared to completely change every aspect of your life, being a true ethical consumer just isn’t going to happen. So, let’s talk about the easy, small things we can change that will make a positive impact.

Don’t waste! I think we’ve all had that feeling when you wake up and genuinely don’t like 90% of your clothes anymore, and that’s fine, but maybe someone else does. In the UK we normally own a piece of clothing for 3.3 years and then get rid of it, but by increasing the lifecycle of clothes we can reduce their environmental impact. So let’s post it on Depop, lets drop it off at the local charity shop, let’s ask family or friends if they want it, let’s try some DIY and maybe we’ll actually want to keep it!

Think about what you eat. I’m not saying everyone must become a vegan or the world will perish, but I am saying do we need to eat meat every day? I know new studies are finding that dairy and meat alternatives may not be as good for the planet as already advertised, but experimenting with an butternut squash curry or chickpea salad is never the wrong answer. Also, lets buy more local produce. I was as devastated as the next basic white girl when news broke that avocados were bad for the planet, but now that I know this, I make an effort to eat less of them and more local fruits and veg.

Educate yourself. Companies operate by providing goods and services that consumers demand, so we as customers have a power to change what companies do. Use social media to ask brands questions about their offering so you know if you want to continue to shop with them. Some fashion brands have launched sustainable ranges, explore them, like them on Instagram, show an interest and they will create more sustainable products!

A useful resource for anyone who wants to avoid using Amazon (particularly for holiday shopping right now, early December 2019, but generally too) but isn’t sure how to find good alternatives.