5 Ways To Become a More Sustainable Shopper
Start writing a post
Arts Entertainment

5 Ways To Become More Sustainable While Shopping

Our planet is dying, but your shopping habits don't have to also for its sake.

763
5 Ways To Become More Sustainable While Shopping

Here are five ways to become a more sustainable shopper! This way, you can do what you love and help Mother Nature all at the same time.

1. Invest in brands that are sustainable

Think Reformation: Popular. Pretty. AND sustainable. What could be better than Instagram's favorite floral midi dress from the brand? The fact that Reformation "put[s] sustainability at the core of everything [they] do". This means they do everything in their power to reduce their waste, water, and energy footprints. By shopping with brands like these, not only do you get super cute clothes out of it, but you're doing so without leaving a major carbon footprint on our earth.

2. Quit online shopping 

When you receive an Urban Outfitters package, it typically comes with a whole lot of unnecessary plastic. Plastic packaging, plastic on the inside to hold each individual item, plastic, plastic, plastic. The less you online shop, the less plastic packaging being distributed to your house just for you to throw away. OR! If you know certain brands you online shop from use recyclable packaging, try shopping there more often instead of from those that don't.

3. Opt out of tissue wrapping 

The clothing store I work at has an option for tissue wrapping (if you want to be fancy) inside our reusable shopping bags. I always ask customers if they actually want tissue in the bag before doing it, because chances are most people would rather not waste the paper when they already have such a cute, reusable tote to keep their new purchases in. If you shop at stores where they offer to tissue-wrap your clothes, opt out.

4. Poshmark, consignment shops, thrift stores

Utilize all of these to shop more sustainably. Recycling clothing is the best way to limit the amount of clothing being produced in the world and there are endless ways to do so. Poshmark is my personal favorite- I sell my own clothes on there all of the time. Things like Depop, Facebook Marketplace, Goodwill (some have insane stuff, especially if you look at the Goodwills near wealthier areas), and other thrift and consignment shops have amazing pieces that have a cool, vintage feel.

5. Stop buying into fast fashion trends

Major retailers like Forever 21 and Nasty Gal carry very trend-heavy pieces, which means that they are always creating more and more clothes in order to coincide with the ever-changing world of fashion. They make the pieces cheap and satisfactory enough to fulfill the consumer's temporary need for checker-printed skirts or criss-cross going out tops, only for said consumer to get rid of them just as quickly as ordered them online. Instead, try and invest in high-end basics, ones that you know won't go out of style or get a broken zipper after wearing it after one day at GovBall.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

55397
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

35687
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

957727
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

185572
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments