Consumerism is our world’s biggest issue when it comes to fighting sustainability. Now, whenever there is a want, need or desire, there is sure a product that will fulfil it. Sadly, though, marketing and advertising means that wants, needs and desires can be created through a simple campaign.
The result? We’re buying more than we ever have before and our spending is unlikely to reduce with more and more channels being created for brands and marketing to reach consumers. Ads are everywhere. They’re on social media, on phones, in stores, and not forgetting all the billboards, bus stops and random advertising spaces outside the home.
It’s why, when it comes to reducing the waste we produce, we must think before we purchase in the first place. Let us take you through our blog on why and more importantly, how to think before you buy.
Fundamental questions to ask yourself before you buy
As we previously mentioned, marketing and advertising techniques often mean than you’re purchasing something you never initially had a desire for. These items are likely marketed and targeted to you through your social media and other channels and have been slowly targeting you for weeks. The first time you see an advert you might just think it’s a ‘cool gadget’ but slowly over time, through the subconscious, you’ll slowly see more ads and start to develop a thought that you require the item to. This is why the very first question you should ask yourself before you make a purchase is: Why do I want this?
After you really knuckle down why you might want something, you should ask yourself if there is a true need for it. We need food and clothing… but do we need all the excess food and clothing that we purchase? Are we likely to end up with waste if we buy this item? Is this a need or is this simply a want? These are the final fundamental questions you should ask yourself before making any purchase.
Popular areas of waste
We understand that asking yourself the fundamental questions before a purchase can seem overwhelming. After all, we purchase multiple things most days. Going through this rigmarole can be tiresome again and again. So we’re going to signpost the popular areas of waste so that you can be sure to prioritise these questions when making a specific type of purchase.
Food waste
This is definitely the largest area of waste. Food waste is not only a big issue, but when it comes to the secondary value of food, it is often zero. It’s not like a piece of furniture that you can sell again on eBay. Food ends up in the bin and then needs to be processed and recycled, something which requires energy and therefore impact our environment. Did you know that for every 1kg of food waste that you create, 2kg of carbon equivalent can be attributed to your carbon footprint? This is why asking fundamental questions before buying food is so important. Write yourself a fool-proof shopping list and be sure to stick to it.
Clothing
As the seasons change, so many of us want to buy a new wardrobe. But the chances of creating waste are quite high, especially if you’re searching for fashion and not style. If you’re copying the latest runway trends, you’re falling victim to fast fashion, meaning that by the time a new season rolls in, you’ll be buying more and wasting old garments. The beauty of shopping for your style, is that it remains the same year on year and throughout the seasons, with the addition of a few layers. Buy items that you love and will wear again and again.
Want to make you clothing purchases even more sustainable? Buy second hand! There are so many great options when it comes to second-hand clothing and it’s more popular than ever thanks to a few trusted apps. Think before you buy – could you get this second hand? The answer is almost always yes!
Cosmetics
The cosmetic industry is filled with tricky-to-recycle products. It’s why we urge you to think before you buy in this area. While some items such as shampoo and conditioner are easy to recycle, once you start looking into face masks, wipes, tubes, and sachets or product – you gather a whole hoard of unrecyclable items. These are the items where you really need to ask yourself ‘Do I need this?’ – but also, we think you should ask if it’s possible to make it. Often a lot of unrecyclable products have an eco-friendly alternative that you can create from the products in your kitchen. Go have a search for some recipes, we know they’re out there!
Electronics
Did you know that 90% of the materials in electricals and electronic goods can be recycled? Not only that but that a lot of gadgets can be refurbished and sold at a much cheaper price. You could buy a newer model phone for a significantly reduced price by purchasing it refurbished. How do we know? We’ve done it!
Buying refurbished goods typically comes with a new warranty put on by the seller, but in some cases, brands will buy back their old products, refurbish and sell them for cheap – Dyson is a great example of this.
So if you’ve got old and broken tech lying around, be sure to recycle. If you’re in the market to buy new, after asking yourself fundamental questions, be sure to shop second-hand and refurbished first!
In summary
Asking yourself questions before you buy anything is important. That short but significant process is key. Remember the best thing that you can buy for the planet is nothing. We’re trying to reduce our waste here, not culminate more of it and slowly release it into the environment. Even if you plan on using something regularly for a short period, ask yourself if there is more longevity in a different product or process. Think D.I.N.T – Do I Need This/That?
