5 Ways To Be A More Ethical Consumer

Trying to be a more responsible consumer

Here’s the thing: it’s not possible to be a perfectly ethical consumer. Economic systems, supply chains, politics, corruption, a lack of transparency and standard human greed — take your pick; they all contribute. No one can live a 100% ethical lifestyle.

But this is not an excuse for inaction. We have purchasing power with our consumer choices. We can use our voices and actions. If we believe in something, it should motivate us to act accordingly. There is no excuse for sitting in the corner complaining that ‘there’s no such thing as ethical consumerism under capitalism.’ We should be good stewards of our money.

Below are five ways to become a more conscious consumer:

1) Become content with less.

This is probably the most important (and hardest) step to take. We don’t need so much stuff. Very few of the things we own are necessary for our survival. It’s important to learn the difference between wants and needs.

This isn’t easy to unlearn. Advertising is a multi-billion dollar industry these days and its primary purpose is to convince us that we need to buy their products.

The most ethical, sustainable, responsible clothes you can wear are the ones you already own. Technology doesn’t need to be replaced yearly — one of the most sustainable things we can do is to properly care for our phones, laptops and cameras. The same goes for cars — it might not be electric or hybrid but a car that lasts for years, and isn’t ‘upgraded’ regularly is a responsible choice. Remember there’s a lot of CO2 emissions associated in the manufacturing phase too.

For some people, their life circumstances have made them much more attuned to what is a need and a want. They cannot afford to spend frivolously on wants. But for many, this magpie tendency needs to be unlearnt.

2) If possible, don’t buy.

Don’t immediately buy something you need. We should decouple the ideas of usage and ownership. We don’t need to own everything we use. Try to cultivate a mentality of creation over consumption; can you repair, alter, make or borrow the thing you need or want?

When I was a kid I lived in the library. The vast majority of the books I read were borrowed. As I grew up and started earning money I started to buy more. Recently a new library branch has opened near me and I have loved returning to it for books. It’s a small example of not buying something I want.

Remember: the aim is to cut down on consumption. By borrowing or repairing things we don’t contribute to the endless stream of production and waste.

3) When you do buy, try to be intentional.

Inevitably, we will need to buy new things. Thankfully there are many options out there for trying to make more responsible consumer choices.

Buy second-hand.

Again — the aim is to reduce waste. Buying something second-hand saves it from landfills. Charity shops are a fantastic way of supporting local charities, purchasing more responsibly and saving money. There are plenty of online options out there as well. Depop, Facebook Marketplace and eBay all offer direct purchase from one-off sellers looking to find a new home for their preloved items. There are plenty of local buy-and-sell groups on Facebook as well.

Buy small and local.

Where possible, consider buying from small or local businesses. They will appreciate your custom so much more than big corporations, and it’s a way of giving back to your community as well. For online options, consider checking out Etsy or Instagram for handmade products.

Buy from ethical & sustainable companies.

Greenwashing (deliberately misleading marketing which makes a company seem more socially and environmentally responsible than it actually is) means it can be difficult to identify truly ethical and sustainable companies.

Certifications (e.g. Fairtrade, B Corp, The Rainforest Alliance) can go some way in proving that the companies take these values seriously. However, many smaller companies cannot afford such certifications. In this case, I’ve found it helpful to message them on social media for clarification regarding sourcing and manufacturing.

Look for transparency and accountability. Scope out their About pages to see what their values are, and how they are enacting them. I’m particularly impressed by companies that advocate for long lifespans of your purchases. For example, Nudie Jeans promises free repairs for life, encouraging their customers to wear their jeans as long as possible, and not just replace them when they start to show wear.

Buy intentionally.

It is not always possible to buy second-hand, locally produced, or from ethical and sustainable companies. Sometimes we need to run to Penneys for underwear or socks or other necessities. What we can do is make sure that what we are buying is something we will actually use. Don’t buy into the ‘hauls’ mentality, but also don’t feel guilty for buying something you will use at normal high-street shops.

Remember, companies exist to make a profit. While they might be guided by the noblest values, the most responsible choice will still be to cut down on purchasing.

4) Do some research.

I mentioned greenwashing in the last point. As ‘conscious’ shopping becomes a buzzword, greenwashing grows more prevalent.

Lily from Imperfect Idealist has a very good blog post to help you evaluate whether a brand is truly responsible or just employing greenwashing.

Ethical consumerism is a massive topic, and greenwashing is just one part of it. Thankfully there is a lot of information out there — though it does require some sifting. Watch documentaries and YouTube videos, read books and blog posts, engage with others who care about this; start thinking about this seriously and not just because it’s trendy.

Some of my favourite resources include:

• Documentaries: The True Cost, Unravel.
• Websites: Remake our World, Imperfect Idealist, Living Lightly in Ireland.
• Shops: Depop, Etsy, B Corp Directory, Bookworld Ireland, Better World Books, Who Gives A Crap.
• Instagram accounts: @brightly.eco, @labourbehindthelabel, @fash_rev, @environmentaleadai, @theuselessproject.

5) This is not a shame game.

Ethical consumerism can seem overwhelming. It’s easy to feel like nothing you buy is ethical. There seems to be a problem with everything, even chocolate and tea bags.

I don’t think it’s possible to immediately replace everything for ethical purchases. It’s probably also fairly unsustainable. It’s best to research products decently, in order to decide if it will work for you. I don’t think there’s any point in buying something that has been ethically sourced and then never using it.

Start making swaps one at a time, where possible. Go at your pace, where you can make a change. Ultimately, buy less and try to be intentional with the things that you do buy.

It is not possible for everyone to buy from ethical and sustainable brands; they carry a price tag.

Don’t try to solve this in one shot, but do try to be intentional about it and make an effort where possible. Remember — these choices add up. We have purchasing power; let’s use it well.

Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life. (1 Timothy 6:17–19, NIV)