How To Shop More Sustainably

As pressure increases to protect the planet's scarce natural resources, there has never been a better time to develop green and sustainable shopping habits.

There are countless benefits of shopping sustainably, such as reducing waste, living a healthier life and even saving you money! Yet, knowing how to shop sustainably can be challenging. So, we’ve come up with 5 of our most effective tips to help you form sustainable shopping habits for you and your family. 

The 5 ways you can shop more sustainably include:

1. Shopping local
2. Choosing preloved second hand items
3. Quality over quantity 
4. Using your own reusable shopping bags
5. Sleeping on it

1. Shopping Local

Next time you’re about to purchase something, think about how far the product has travelled to reach its destination. The further it travelled, the more carbon dioxide emissions were released into the atmosphere, so if you can, opt for items that have been sourced, manufactured or harvested locally. 

If you’re shopping online, it’s best to avoid international sites as it’s likely that the product will have to travel much further distances to reach you. Likewise when shopping in person, opt for shops that are walking/ cycling distance, or consider taking public transport.

2. Choosing Preloved Second Hand Items

Instead of buying new all the time, consider shopping at online second hand marketplaces like Vinted, Depop or eBay, charity shops or even car boot sales for pre-loved items. Whether it’s a new dress for your big night out, a suitcase for your holiday, or a new toy for your little one, you can find pretty much everything at these second hand shops! 

Not only will this type of shopping save you significant amounts of money, but it will also help to reduce waste as you're giving them a new life and preventing them from ending up in landfills. 

3. Quality Over Quantity 

Although something might seem more expensive initially, it’s much more sustainable to invest in high-quality products that are guaranteed to last longer, rather than purchasing cheaper, poorly made items that will need frequent replacing. By choosing quality over quantity, you are reducing the amount of waste ending up in landfills, contributing to climate change. 

Opting for higher-quality products that will last for a longer period of time also encourages sustainable practices. This is because companies that produce high-quality products tend to prioritise sustainability and ethical practices in their production process, and so by supporting these companies, you are encouraging these sustainable practices.

4. Using Your Own Reusable Shopping Bags

Another way to reduce your carbon footprint is to take your own shopping bags out with you. Bonus points if they are reusable! Did you know that plastic bags can take anywhere from 15 years to a whopping 1,000 years to decompose, meaning they have a lasting damaging effect on the environment? What’s more, plastic rubbish causes millions of wildlife deaths from birds to sea animals every year. 

This is why switching from conventional plastic shopping bags to reusable, biodegradable shopping bags is so important if you’re looking to create more sustainable, environmentally friendly shopping habits. 

In addition to helping the planet, reusable shopping bags are also incredibly practical. This is because they are made from a much sturdier and durable material than disposable plastic bags, such as organic cotton, canvas or jute. 

You don’t have to worry about them ripping if they get caught on something, and due to the stronger material, they are less likely to break when you’ve filled your bag to bursting point. 

The Best Reusable Shopping Bags

The best reusable bags include:

1. Jute Hessian Shopping Bag
2. Organic Cotton Crochet Bag
3. Organic Cotton Tote Bag
4. Canvas Produce Bags

1.Jute Hessian Shopping Bag

Our jute hessian shopping bag is perfect for taking to local shops, supermarkets, or just as a general use bag! It's strong, durable and built to last, so you can have complete peace of mind that it won't be splitting or ripping if it’s filled to the brim. Designed in the UK.

2.Organic Cotton Crochet Bag

This chic crochet tote bag is woven out of 100% organic cotton that is super soft yet robust enough to hold all your farmer’s market purchases, expanding to adapt to whatever is popped inside. 

This versatile and sustainable tote is perfect for a sunny day at the beach or a trip to the local supermarket to grab your favourite fruit and veg. Neatly folding up when not in use makes it great if you’re limited on space. 

3.Organic Cotton Tote Bag

Our boldreusable tote bag is made of 100% soft organic cotton and the perfect companion for quick trips to the shops. It has a large 60cm handle which can be used in hand or over the shoulder and features a roomy (48x36x24 cm) square gusset base. 

4. Canvas Produce Bags

Thesedurable, unbleached organic cotton bags are the perfect alternative to conventional plastic fruit and veg bags that will last you a lifetime. Each bag has a colourful label featuring the tare weight, also known as the weight of the produce bag, meaning you can easily calculate the weight of your goods at the checkout of any supermarket or bulk food store.

Not only will these bags keep your produce fresher than their plastic counterparts, they are a fantastic way to reduce your single-use plastics and live a more sustainable life. 

For more ideas on how you can be more ‘zero waste’ on the go, check out our recent blog. 

6. Sleeping on it

Last but certainly not least, before purchasing anything, whether it’s new or secondhand, think to yourself, do I really need this or am I purchasing it for the sake of it? Thinking like this will prevent any unnecessary purchases which will likely get chucked away after a few uses, ending up in landfill and polluting our environment. 

Try asking yourself these questions before clicking that checkout button: 

• What problem is this product going to solve?
• Do I already have something that does the job?
• Will I still be using this in a year’s time?
• Can I actually afford this?

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Wild & Stone's mission is to create stylish, easy to adopt and usable alternatives to common plastic products around the home. We source all our products sustainably, from raw material to final delivery. Shop our wide range today.