Shopping Sustainably and Ethically

Shopping sustainably is becoming a key factor for many consumers, but it can be a little overwhelming knowing where to start. 

How do you change your shopping habits to more sustainable approaches? How do you know if a product is ethical? Where are the best places to shop? 

These are just some of the questions that many people may be wondering, so we’ve put together this guide to help answer them for you. We’ll also include some top tips on how to shop sustainably and ethically to help you change your shopping habits for the better. 

Read on to find out more. 

Shop Local

Supporting small, independent businesses isn’t only crucial right now due to the current pandemic, but it is actually a more sustainable and ethical way to shop. 

The great thing about small businesses is that they tend to source their products locally, meaning the product hasn’t had to travel far to reach you and ethically-sourced materials will have been used. 

Products which are classed as ethical include organic produce, recycled paper, wood and fair-trade goods.

Top Tip: Platforms, like Etsy, are the perfect places to find local brands that sell ethical products or for fashion lovers, read our Top UK Sustainable Fashion Brands guide to discover some new places to shop. 

Less is More 

‘Less is More’ is a great motto to live by when trying to shop sustainably and ethically. Our society has over consumed for many years, which has led to an increase in waste being sent to landfill and, ultimately, damaging the planet. 

But now, we’re starting to see a shift in consumer habits. When it comes to fashion, people are now consciously choosing to buy staple pieces that they can rewear and restyle over and over again, rather than opting for pieces they’ll just wear a handful of times. 

It’s the same with reusable products. Instead of buying single-use products like make-up or cleaning wipes, consumers are now looking for the long-term investments, like reusable cotton pads, to help reduce the amount of waste being sent to landfill. 

Click here, for some ideas on what eco-friendly products you need to live a greener lifestyle. 

Top Tip: Always ask yourself, ‘do I really need it?’, before purchasing. 

Choose Used 

Shopping second-hand is another great way to become a sustainable and ethical shopper. 

By shopping second-hand, you’re saving money and the planet by preventing all those products going to landfill! 

Top Tip: Charity shops and online platforms, like Depop and Gumtree, offer a selection of used products that still have plenty of use in them… for a fraction of the price.  

Too Good to be True? 

One important tip to consider when trying to shop ethically and sustainably is cost. 

If you think a product’s price is too good to be true, it’s probably because it is!

Sometimes, you need to spend a bit more to ensure an ethical and sustainable purchase. If a product is suspiciously cheap, it’s usually because other areas of the production line has suffered greater costs.

Top Tip: Research the brand you’re shopping at first, and find out where they source their products from. 

Check Materials 

Finally, when you’re shopping, make sure to check the materials or ingredients of your products.

For clothes, look for linen, organic cotton and wool based garments, and if you’re shopping for candles, soy wax is a more sustainable option to go for. 

Top Tip: Here at Wave, we’re open about what our products are made from so you know you’re making an ethical and sustainable decision. Our Wave Cases are made from wheat straw and are 100% biodegradable, making them the perfect purchase to protect your phone… and the planet!

For more information and to browse our Wave Cases and eco-friendly accessories, click here or visit our blog for some more top tips on how to live and shop sustainably.