This year has been totally bonkers, and let’s face it, a little retail therapy might feel like a nice escape right now. Possibly even an essential that you must jump on whilst the deals and discounts are rife and the advertising wizardry sucks you in, urging you to reach for your credit card and splash out before the deal is gone!
Think carefully before you add to basket and ‘Do Good, Go Green’ this Weekend…as I have above 😊 Environmental campaigners say Black Friday contributes to excessive purchasing of unnecessary items, increasing waste, plastic packaging that will be disposed of — fuelling climate change, pollution and the destruction of natural ecosystems. In fact, in the fashion industry alone: 1 in 2 people are throwing their unwanted clothes straight in the bin. The result? 64% of the 32 billion garments produced each year end up in landfill. (read that sentence again and let it sink in).
It’s not all doom and gloom, the Internet Retailing report suggests, “a third of UK consumers are buying more from companies with strong environmental credentials as priorities shift during the pandemic”
Amazon might offer some pretty tempting Black Friday deals each year, but it is known to have one of the largest carbon footprints of any business, not to mention the questionable staff wages at some levels. The scary thing is, they are vying to be the world’s only retailer — between that and too many other reasons to mention now I think its time to slow our consumption of Amazon and seek alternatives.
So here are my tips for a Greener Weekend:
🌱 Make a list & don’t buy on impulse — Were you going to buy it anyway? Work out what you need and make a list before going online — instead of hitting ‘Buy Now’, test yourself, if you had the option to Buy in a Week, would you still?
🌳 Rather than spend spend spend — sell, earn and pay it forward by gifting or donating — Check out preloved sites like Sign of The Times to sell luxury or special fashion items. Look at places like and Back Market for electronics and for food sharing and other household goods you no longer need, download the Olio app.
🌲 Rent, swap or borrow — check out places like ByRotation and Onloan to rent out the latest fashion trends on a monthly subscription…or just tap up your friends & family, and make it fun swapping and sharing wardrobes.
💚 Shop Second Hand and Preloved — There are plenty of places out there to snap up that one thing you’ve been dying to get your hands on, as well as giving something amazing a new home. Depending on your style, and what you’re looking for, check out Sign of The Times for luxury fashion and accessories or Depop & Vinted for vintage and high street items. Or take a look at PreLoved, Gumtree, Facebook Marketplace which are great places to get furniture, electronics or anything else!
🌱 Support small and sustainable businesses — Its a great time to try and buy from smaller businesses, shop locally, reduce your carbon footprint and support the businesses that really need your help (see note on Amazon above). SMEs need you right now and so does the planet. Shout out to amazing companies like Patch Plants and Ella’s Kitchen amongst others who are planting trees for every purchase made
🌳 Upcycle — Whilst we’re not bound to the daily commute and social events taking up precious time, why not seize the opportunity to improve the things you already have, or checkout some of the pre-loved marketplaces in point 4. Pick up a bargain and flip it into something gorgeous — it only takes a lick of paint and a bit of TLC and you’ll be the proud owner of a bespoke and beautiful piece.
💚 Self-Love — If you’re going to invest your hard-earned cash, why not invest in yourself rather than more unnecessary stuff? A coaching course, a new book, a fitness/meditation app (I have so many recommendations to share so feel free to DM me!) Keep tabs on your nutrition, brain health and utilise all the free learning platforms, all the amazing free stuff at places like Calm and Heights or Headspace as starters for ten.
In summary — Think before you spend, stop buying crap, don’t buy unnecessary gifts, shop small, shop responsibly, declutter, buy second hand and upcycle. Maybe take the opportunity to have a digital detox on Friday and over the weekend — go for a nice, long walk and away from the temptation of bargain hunting.
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