Did you know that the fast-fashion industry produces 8-10% of global emissions? A fair proportion of our carbon emissions come from the things we buy, with emissions being produced during the making and transporting of the goods we want. Follow our tips below so you can be a sustainable and climate-savvy shopper!
Buy less often and higher quality if possible
It may be no surprise but one of the biggest things some of us can do is buy less stuff! It is estimated that the average garment is only worn ten times before disposal, with UK adults only wearing a shocking 44% of the clothing they own. This increase in the consumption and waste of items is an issue as industries such as fast fashion, electronics, furniture, and other goods require materials, energy, and transportation to produce and deliver these items, all of which leads to greenhouse gases being emitted.
When we buy things often, and when they are a low price, we often feel they are more disposable and that we can buy more as a result. However, this usually also means they are of lower quality and don’t last as long. By buying less we can save up money to treat ourselves to items that we really want, that are higher quality, and will therefore last longer. Another bonus is that, because they’ll last longer, they’ll also have more sentimental value!
Of course, this isn’t true for everybody, and many people do only buy the items they need and can afford. Keep reading to check out the tips below for how you can make the most of your money and the items you already have.
Rent, borrow and share
Opportunities to rent items are more available than ever and make a lot of sense, particularly for those items that are rarely used, tie up a lot of cash or take up a lot of space. For example, the average car or van is only in use 4% of the time!
Items such as formal clothing and specialist equipment and tools are obvious candidates for renting. However, virtually anything can be rented nowadays. Keep an eye out in your local community for options to borrow or rent items or check out options online. For example, Fat Llama is a website where you can rent virtually anything, including cameras, scooters and even DJ decks!
Get thrifty!
So, you’ve decided you need it – but does it have to be new? Increasingly there are options to buy vintage clothing and second-hand items. This is great as it prevents these items from going to waste, removes the need to produce new items, and because they are cheaper saves us money! Vintage clothing and items also often have more character, making the piece feel more comfortable and stylish than a newer alternative.
There are many options in Wirral and Liverpool for buying great second-hand items and clothing such as vintage, antique, charity and salvage shops, as well as many online options such as Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree and eBay.
Repair more
Repairing items can be a great way to reduce the need to buy new ones and can mean we keep hold of our favourite items or clothing for longer. Sometimes, we might not know how to repair an item, or we think it might cost too much money to do so. However, there are lots of options for repairs.
- First, you should check the warranty on the item or if it is covered by your household insurance as you might be able to get a repair for free.
- Next have a go yourself! YouTube is a great source for repair tutorials and there are helpful websites like ifixit.com with instructions for repairing virtually anything.
- On Wirral there are also repair cafes popping up, such as the Wirral Repair Café in Birkenhead Central Library that meets every first Saturday of the month to repair household items.
- Bikes in need of some TLC often end up as household waste, even though they can be quite easily fixed. Most cycle shops can help with repairs often at a low cost if you are unable to repair it yourself. If something happens to your bike while out and about there are four cycle repair stations in Wirral for residents to use
- Phones, tablets and computers can often be repaired or diagnosed by local phone and computer shops at a reasonable price. Some of the national chains also offer a repair service. This is similar for most household appliances, whose firms can often repair goods like washing machines and fridges. Search online for firms near you!
Choose sustainable and local where possible
When shopping, try to opt for brands with sustainability at their heart, and who are local. This not only cuts out transportation emissions but also invests money back into our local economy. When deciding on brands or suppliers, look at their sustainability or ethics policies to understand what actions they are taking to address the climate emergency. Independent Wirral is a great user-friendly guide for local businesses in Wirral.
Some examples of good climate practice include companies:
- Using recycled materials in their products
- Producing modular and repairable electronics
- Designing for disassembly and remanufacture
- Who have ‘Take Back’ schemes for used items.
Finally, avoid unnecessary packaging when you shop, including online shopping, such as selecting the reduced packaging delivery option on Amazon.
Be wary of greenwashing!
As shoppers increasingly demand environmentally friendly products, manufactures are under ever greater pressure to respond. Advertising from these companies may be attractive and seemingly green, but this may be the extent of the action being taken by the company. So, it helps to be mindful of this greenwashing and to do a little bit more research before purchasing a product, to make sure you are getting the sustainable product you want!