Conscious consumerism: join the club!
Conscious consumerism is a social movement that has a principle based on the consumer's awareness of purchasing decisions. That is, before buying anything, an ecological responsibility takes place as well as any other important information about the product. If you want to help yourself and the planet, join this club!
Consumerism responsibly reflects directly in the ecological, social and economic universe.
The intensification of environmental negative impacts has faced humanity with a set of problems that directly and indirectly impact the conditions for the reproduction of planetary life.
The exponential increase in the amount of garbage, the contamination, and reduction of potable water sources, deforestation, as well as reduction of biodiversity, are some of the issues that we face nowadays.
One of the causes directs people's consumerism!
There some rules to follow in order to become a conscious consumer. First of all, you need to be aware of all the product's information. Find out about its shelf life, origins, contents, if it's not a greenwashing product, and any other info that gives it credibility, such as the "4 R".
The "4 R" of conscious consumerism:
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Rethink your consumption
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Reduce the amount of what you consume
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Reuse what you consumed
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Recycle what has already been consumed
10 rules to become a legit conscious consumer:
- Plan your purchases before
- Don't be impulsive in shopping. Impulsivity is the enemy of conscious consumption
- Assess the impacts of your consumption on natures
- Consume only what is necessary
- Reflect on your real needs and try to live with less
- Do not buy again what you can fix, transform and reuse
- Think about what you're going to buy on credit and make sure you can afford it when paying the installments
- Value only companies according to their responsibility to employees, society as well as to the environment
- Do not buy pirated or smuggled products
- Assemble groups or movements of conscientious consumers to mobilize their families, friends and your loved ones as well
Conscious consumerism in fashion
3 organic materials secrets that you should keep in mind when purchasing fashion:
- GOTS Certified Cotton is one of the best options on the market, today. It ensures, not only a clean fabric but a credible process of making it.
- Hemp is a very flexible material that clearly helps the environment like absorbing more carbon than trees!
- Full Grain Vegetable Tanned Leather avoids fabric that is processed uses a lot of chemicals that can end up in waterways. Veggie-tanned does not use any chemicals, but still creates a lasting leather good.
British consultant Kate Fletcher created the slow fashion movement in order to promote conscious consumerism in fashion. In her book, Fashion & Sustainability - Design for change, she makes a cool reflection on a new model of sustainable creation design.