Sociologist Joseph Cohen once said, “America is a place where the luxuries are cheap and the necessities are expensive.” While we might feel like our lives are overrun with cheap goods, it can be difficult to shop more sustainably when it feels like the greener options eat away at your paycheck. Fortunately, there are simple ways to be a more environmentally conscious consumer, even when you’re tight on cash.
Looking for B Corp Certification is one easy way to get a feel of a company’s ecological footprint. B Corp looks at the specific environmental, social, and governance standards and has created a list of companies online so you can browse different sustainable options. Researching the companies you buy from or invest in most are other good ways of seeing the impact of your spending money. Lastly, take a look at your personal carbon footprint. Maybe you can’t buy the greenest product on the market, but you can bike to the store where you buy it. Every little bit helps.
Last week we shared a story about how shopping less will benefit you and the environment. Embracing the minimalist mentality is a great way to be a conscious consumer. Ask yourself do I really need this? Buying less and buying informed are the best ways to be a conscious consumer, regardless of income.
