Shopping Sustainably

By: Nina McEuen

Friends and family often spread kindness and generosity through gifts. However, shopping for gifts can be challenging at times, especially for those wanting to shop sustainably. As our society becomes more aware of our changing environment, more and more people want to shop in an environmentally friendly way. So, what exactly is sustainable shopping and how can we incorporate it into our gift-giving purchases? 

In a nutshell, sustainable shopping considers the environmental and social impact of products and services. One of the most common ways of sustainable shopping is thrifting or second-hand shopping. This type of shopping gives new life to a product that might have otherwise been thrown away. Thrifting is also very affordable; it has become one of the most popular ways to shop sustainably due to its affordability. Its popularity has given rise to many online thrift stores as well. One such site is ThredUp, a service that purchases and sells second-hand clothing. Goodwill, a brick-and-mortar thrift store, also runs a website that sells second-hand items. In addition to clothing, customers can find jewelry, furniture, home decorations and much more. 

Sustainable shopping can also include purchasing new products. However, customers should consider the materials, production and overall environmental impact. Consumers should avoid fast fashion due to the poor working conditions and carbon emissions that result in quick trends. Instead, buyers should opt for brands like Reformation, a sustainable women’s clothing brand that uses environmentally conscious materials. A great example of this type of business is located right here in downtown Springfield. The Keep Store is a refillery where customers can refill their hygiene and household products in reusable containers. The Keep Store also stocks many other sustainable products, from dog treats to makeup. 

There are many options for sustainable shopping; whatever you are buying, there is most likely a website or store for you. Each purchase you make creates a difference for our environment and its people. As a consumer, your shopping choices do matter so choose wisely. Happy shopping!