A Beginners Guide to Conscious Consumerism
We believe that conscious consumerism means making purchasing decisions that have a positive impact. It also means that we strive to lessen our overall consumption and use what we already have.
In an article from their website, our friends at Siela Boutique [ @shopsiela ] shared some striking statistics about the rise of global consumption, specifically in the world of fashion…"Over the past two decades, global clothing consumption has increased by 400%. Historically, our wardrobes were seen as an investment. In 1900, Americans spent 20% of their income on apparel that we purchased seasonally. We owned fewer items of clothing, but they were made to last, and repair as needed. Today, we spend 4% of our incomes on apparel that is made to fall apart and purchased over the course of 52 “micro-seasons” per year. We are spending less, but buying more than ever before.” [ shopsiela.com ]
While this statistic refers to just clothing, the point still stands that we are consuming much more than we really need to. This trend is hurting the earth and people in it. We are passionate about doing our part by sharing what we’ve learned in our own journey towards conscious consumerism; and it is an ongoing one. Though it can be a bit overwhelming to think about all of the possible changes to make, we want to encourage you that there is no one right way to start, just as long as you do. Over time we think you’ll find that taking these steps can enhance your quality of life while doing good for the environment and its people.
Since this is something we deeply care about, we’ll continue to talk more specifically about this topic in the future, but for now we wanted to give a basic overview along with simple ideas for you to start making these changes today. You’ll be glad you did.
in your closet:
Narrow down your wardrobe to items that you only love and will wear often. Give the pieces you no longer need to a local charity or resell them.
OR, host a clothing swap with your friends! We suggest trying this option before you go out and shop. This is such a fun way to get receive new clothes and give away old ones. You might be surprised by the items you’ll score.
Take care of your clothes! This seems obvious, but sometimes we don’t pay very close attention to the care instructions when purchasing a new item, however, following those steps can really make it last longer and reduces overall waste. Try not to wash your jeans too often, and if a button comes off of a sweater, consider sewing it back on before getting rid of it.
in your kitchen:
Check and see if there are any local farmers markets in your area and prioritize shopping there first for groceries. Not only are you supporting a real live person and their farm, you’re also bringing many benefits to your health by purchasing food that has not been overly processed. A win-win!
Eat seasonally. Many Instagram accounts will share what fruits and vegetables are in season, and this brings many health benefits as well. Plus it feels great to eat along with the earth’s cycle and seasons.
Place a compost bucket under the sink in your kitchen and take discarded scraps to a local farm or farmers market. Make sure to research what can go into a compost bucket and how to properly dispose of certain foods.
around the home:
The goal is to reduce our overall consumption. Take a minute to look around your home and think through what you have. Ask yourself, ‘is each item serving a specific purpose?’ Now, don’t get us wrong, we us love some aesthetically pleasing home decor and agree that it’s fun to have those things. The point is to not have more than what we need. Purchasing home decor is an easy way to fill our space with beauty, but if we acquire too much, it can leave us feeling crammed and overwhelmed not just physically, but mentally.
Look for natural ways to clean around the house. Before going out and buying new cleaning products, (most of which can contain harmful chemicals) look at what you might already have on hand. Things like baking soda or vinegar can make great -and less expensive- cleaning agents.
Think about timing. While there are many great options out there for sustainable home goods like reusable paper towels, or more ethically made kitchen gadgets, consider what you already have and use that up, first and foremost. Chances are, you don’t really need it until you run out of it or if it becomes no longer usable.
Photo by David Keeler