How To Shop Sustainably This Black Friday

Capitalism's favorite day of the year. A breeding ground for overconsumption, cheap labor, and price inflation (followed by "cuts"). While black friday sales are not at all what they used to be, it can still serve as a day for people and families to finally afford amenities for themselves that would otherwise be out of reach. With some light finally being shed on the problem of overconsumption, how do you make sure you don't fall into the same trap? Is it even possible to shop sustainably on a day so centered around mass production and sales? Keep reading to learn tips, tricks, and mindset shifts to help make your shopping easier on the environment.

For starters, thank you for taking the initiative to live in closer alignment with our environment and placing some value on your impact in this world. The holidays can be overwhelming enough as it is, and adding yet another thing to consider can seem daunting. If you are looking to participate in Black Friday shopping this season, here are a few things to keep in mind and tips on how you can lower your ecological impact while still enjoying the holidays.

1. Go in With a List

   Boring, I know. The same logic applies to these sale frenzies as when you're in the grocery store. You are way more likely to overspend and overbuy when you go in blind. If there are certain things on your kids' Christmas list you know you want to look out for, write them down! This will also save you time, whether you're shopping in person or online, as you can just directly search or ask about those items instead of scrolling and roaming the aisles.

   
   

2. Look for Things You Were Planning on Buying Anyways

   Similar to #1 on our list, shop for things you were already planning on buying. This is especially important if you are shopping on a budget this season (most of us are). The apparent deals can be so tempting, and the sense of urgency surrounding Black Friday can make it feel as though you will never again have the chance to buy that item, or be able to afford it. At the end of the day, those products will continue to exist and you will continue to be alive, so if you were not planning on buying it already, a price cut is not always a good reason to splurge. Spending $50 on a product that is normally $75...is still spending $50.

   
   

3. Be Aware of Marketing Tactics

   These big companies have entire teams of people (and robots) and limitless budgets dedicated solely to convincing you to buy their product. It's not your fault if you find yourself falling for it, but it is something to be aware of. Some super common phrases are things like "Must-have...", "Get it While You Can", "The Viral...", "Can't Live Without", and the list goes on. Phrases like these are used intentionally to make you feel as though you are missing out by not having whatever product is being advertised. If you see these phrases or ones similar, take a step back and ask yourself if you do really need it, or if the marketing is getting the best of you.

   
   

4. Set a Strict Budget

   As much as going in with a list is important, so is setting a budget. Most of us do not have the luxury of swiping our cards without a second-thought, and even the people that do, probably did get to that place by over-spending. If you do not have a strict list this year but are moreso hoping to browse and find gifts as you go, this concept is especially important for you as it is a way to manage spending and overconsumption without having a solid idea of what you are going to be spending your money on. Take a look at your finances and come up with a non-negotiable number that you would feel comfortable spending, and do not exceed that amid the shopping frenzy.

   
   

5. Get "I Can Return It Later" Out of Your Vocabulary

   Did you know that up to half of all products returned are never resold? The statistics vary a bit here by country and disposal processes, but it is safe to say that a very large portion of returns end up straight into a landfill or even burned. Buying multiple items and deciding later is a very common practice, especially within the clothing sector, but has major negative implications on the environment. Think twice before ordering 4 different sizes or extra gifts etc. While the money might be returned to your pocket, there's a good chance the item will never end up back on the shelves.

   1. Many more brands are becoming a bit more transparent with their return practices, at the very least, do your research if you need to make purchases and returns to ensure you are trying to shop responsibly.

   
   

6. Opt for Environmentally Conscious Brands

   If you find yourself debating between a few different companies that make similar products, do a moment's worth of research to see which one has environmental initiatives (if any). The results might surprise you. In the case of a clear winner, opt to purchase the product from that company instead of the others. In the case where there are no environmental or sustainability intitiatives to be found, you could expand your search further to include other humanitarian efforts. This process is sometimes referred to as "voting with your dollar" in which case you choose to support the company that operates most closely with your values instead of the competition.

   1. Beware of greenwashing! Some companies will put environmental claims on their packaging etc. but when you dig deeper they are unsupported or even entirely false. Check out this article from the UN for more info.

      
      

7. Shop Small

   While they might not seem as impressive as the big brands, many small and local businesses offer their version of Black Friday deals. Supporting small and local businesses has a fraction of the environmental impact than shopping from a corporation does, and a much larger percentage of their profits actually go to their well-being instead of a CEO's pocket, and more directly feeds into the local economy.

   
   

8. Buy Second Hand/Refurbished

   While again the deals may not seem as other-worldly as those from big box retailers, there are plenty bargains to be found. Often, second-hand or refurbished items can be more affordable and more interesting than their mass-produced counterparts. This can be especially true for clothing, furniture, and collectibles. This idea extends beyond thrift shops as well. While those are affordable and can produce great finds, there are plenty of second-hand resellers, both in person and online, that specialize in certain niches if you are looking for something specific. Think vintage leather jackets for your trendy best friend, or a mid-century modern side table for your mom's living room. There is cool stuff to be found everywhere.

9. Carpool

   If Black Friday shopping is a tradition for you and your friends or family, give carpooling a try this year. Everyone will be out shopping anyways, so sharing a car will save on gas, reduce your carbon footprint for the day, and offer more quality time to belt out some holiday carols in the car. Bonus points if you can safely take public transportation!

   
   

10. Recognize That You Don't Have to Go Shopping at All

    This might be a controversial one. But realistically, if you are fortunate enough to have a place to call home, clean water to drink, food to eat, and a way to provide for yourself, you can live without any of the products being sold this Black Friday. In fact, the concept of black friday did not even exist in the UK until 2010, and guess who introduced it? Amazon. While its roots go back decades, at the end of the day, it is a term and a day completely made up by people due to the hectic nature of the day following Thanksgiving and the beginning of holiday shopping. If you have everything you need, it is okay to sit this one out, maybe that should become the standard anyways.