Buying Ethical: What Is It, And Does It Really Make A Difference?

Photo by Sarah Dorweiler on Unsplash

With the rise of ethical brands and independent eco-friendly online stores (which tackle the supremacy of big supermarket chains!), we face more than ever an important choice: buying ethical, or not.

It's undeniable that the public feels a declining trust towards politicians and their ambiguous connections with the most influential corporations in the world… One can rightly ask oneself: are ethical products just a trend? A new way to market the same old products? Or the fruit of a genuine activist movement?

Well, like everything on earth, ethical buying is multifaceted and can be rightly perceived under all these different views. But if the search for alternative goods increased in the past years, it's also because people realize that most mainstream products are harmful to their health and the planet itself.

The beginning of a revolution? When you see that our health and wellbeing are somehow in the hands of powerful companies that care more about money than anything else… Maybe it is necessary!

We need to realize that WE have the money, and so, we have the choice. Ethical buying is quite underestimated, as we could let ourselves think: "what can I do against the biggest corporations in the world?"

Clearly, this defeatist attitude won't lead us anywhere, folks.

So, what's next?

What is ethical buying?

First things first! What the heck is ethical buying?

We can define it as a form of activism against conventional consumerism. Instead of only focusing on the final product (yes, even if that dress is really cheap and cute), the idea is to be mindful of its life before and after being bought: how it's been made, by whom, in which conditions, if it can be recycled, and more.

At the core of ethical buying prevails a question of choice. An ethical consumer invests in its values first: buying eco products becomes an act of rejection of those that are not, while valorizing companies that make the effort of having the least impact on human health and the planet.

It emphasizes the idea that buying is like voting, and people's empowerment is the key to change.

Let's give you a concrete example.

The (in)famous Nutella, and nearly 50% of packaged goods sold in supermarkets, are made with the highly versatile palm oil. Being so widely spread in a myriad of products, you can imagine how much demand there is for it, and how much money it represents for big corporations.

So much that it led to the planting of palm trees monocultures in countries such as Indonesia, directly contributing to deforestation and to the near extinction of several animal species including Orangutans.

And so, if you think about it… By continually buying Nutella, you're indirectly contributing to the demand, as well as corroborating a company that knowingly does much harm.

Why buying ethical products is important?

Let's have a look at what ethical consumption can really change for yourself, society, and the planet.

Ethical buying on an individual scale

For your wallet

There are many ways to be a more mindful consumer, and here are a few examples of actions to take.

• When less is more

One of the first things about being a mindful consumer is to not fall into the trap of always needing more, but asking yourself: "Do I really need this?". Consider also looking at the quality of a product: is there any other option that will last longer, or can be repaired more easily?

• Single-use vs reusable products

Start noticing what daily products surround you. Are they mostly single-use items? For example: cotton buds, kitchen towels, paper tissues, takeaway coffee cups, etc. To tackle the amount of waste we produce, we can look at reusable alternatives: they will last longer, and cost you less in the long run.

• Offer a second life to second-hand goods

An ethical consumer is also someone who prefers recycling and upcycling unwanted items, repairing or investing in second-hand products rather than buying new ones. 

• Use your creativity 

Another top-notch option: make your daily essentials yourself instead of buying in supermarkets! You can start by making your cleaning and beauty products, or growing your own food.

If you want to know more about how to save money while being an ethical buyer, this article provides plenty of ethical shopping advice.

For your wellbeing

• Empowerment: your life = your choice

Making conscious decisions reminds us that we have power and gives meaning to our life in a way that feels satisfying.

• Choose minimalism 

In our daily life, we are literally surrounded by products. What's more important than choosing well what we welcome into our lives? Select carefully what you let in your home, instead of accumulating "stuff" you don't really care about.

• Invest in social impact brands

How would that make you feel if you knew that by buying a particular product, you're contributing to a good cause? Doing good makes you feel good. 

• Last but not least: your health comes first!

When you'll start researching the components of some of your favorite products, you won't be able to look at them the same way. What really contains the shampoo you use every day? And what about the side effects of single-use tampons and hygienic pads? 

Truth be told, they contain nasty stuff: chemicals, chlorine bleach, pesticides, GMOs, and more. Using reusable and alternative products can be a great first step: instead of using plastic hygienic pads, use reusable ones made of organic cotton. Instead of plastic Tupperware, use glass ones! And so on.

Ethical buying on a global scale

For better working conditions

Once again, your money works as a kind of vote. The question is: what kind of companies do you want to see thriving?

And while buying is a vote, boycotting a brand also sends a clear message: "we don't want this". It is all about reputation, but also supply and demand. If there is less demand, it means less revenue and creates pressure on a company. In the 1990s, the sportswear brand Nike has been boycotted due to child labor practices. Result: its earnings dropped by 69% in 1998 [1].

By picking the right brands to support and the ones to boycott, you can go as far as improving the living conditions of workers all around the world.

For the animal cause

Here are a few examples of practices involving animal abuse that you should know about if you don't want to contribute to it.

• Research the egg, meat and dairy industries' practices. Try to find better brands, local products or simply reduce your consumption.

• Check if the cosmetics and other products you use are being tested on animals: you can replace them with vegan brands, they're cruelty-free!

• When it comes to tourism, there are also things to watch out for. Boycott any activity that involves animals, such as elephant riding in Asia, for example. If there wasn't any demand, maybe these animals wouldn't be taken from the wild and kept captive for entertainment.

For the environment

• Think about your carbon footprint! To give you an idea, going vegan can lower your impact up to 20%. Hence, buying less meat and more plant-based ingredients can make a significant change

• Have a look at the chemicals you use in your home. They often largely contribute to water pollution: laundry detergent, dishwashing soap, shampoo, and cleaning products. There are now plenty of alternative eco brands, and many recipes online to make your own (even better!)

• Tackle plastic pollution by buying zero waste products as much as possible

• Fly less and reduce your CO2 emissions

• Avoid products that directly contribute to environmental disasters, such as palm oil.

But… Let's not fall into the dark side of (green) consumerism

My point is: green consumerism is far from being ideal either. Let's not forget that in "ethical consumerism" there is the word "consumerism". Instead of falling mindlessly into a trend, we need to be aware, research, and look for transparency.

Ethical consumerism can't be a justification to buy more, just because it is "supposed" to be good. The idea is to be aware of the product you buy, surely, but also our attitude as buyers. Buying less is often better than buying green.

A researcher from the University of Arizona, Sabrina Helm, found that: "Reduced consumption has effects on increased well-being and decreased psychological distress, but we don't see that with green consumption. (...) The key is to reduce consumption and not just buy green stuff. Having less and buying less can actually make us more satisfied and happier." [2]

Have you ever heard of the term "greenwashing"? That's when companies claim that their products are eco-friendly, but by digging a bit more, we realize they're not. In these cases, the "eco" label is used to sell.

So, now what? Is it even possible to be an ethical buyer?

Ethical consumer: the questions to ask yourself before buying a product

• Where is the product made? By whom?

• Where is it shipped from? 

• What materials have been used to make it?

• Where does the product go at the end of its life cycle?

• Is it from a fair trade brand? Or, what are the company's values?

• What kind of packaging is used?

• Does the company give a percentage of their revenue to a social or environmental cause?

• Is the company transparent? Check their FAQ's and about page!

Case Study: the condom market

So, now let's get into what we know best at Green Condom Club: condoms!

Condoms: ethical product or not?

Well, condoms are essential to our sex life. Protecting yourself during intercourse is mindful: catching a disease won't help the planet! Also, if you think that overpopulation is one of the leading causes of climate change… Well, it makes birth control a very eco-friendly practice.

Condoms are not only one of the best and efficient contraception methods that exist, but the only barrier against most STIs! As a matter of fact, male condoms have 98% chances to be effective!

However, most condoms are not always the most sustainable products:

• They are made with non-biodegradable latex or other synthetic materials which prevent them from decomposing (that wouldn't be safe at all)

• They have to be single-use: reusing a condom could potentially be dangerous because it wouldn't be efficient in protecting against sexually transmissible illnesses and pregnancy

• As condoms are considered medical products, there is no obligation for companies to list their components: research showed that they contain plenty of additives and chemicals

• Most condoms are not cruelty-free products as they contain casein, a protein that comes from cow or goat milk

• They provoke allergies: from traces of gluten, corn or other synthetic ingredients.

Why buy ethical condoms?

Is there any alternative and eco condoms out there?

Yes! For a few decades, efforts have been made to improve and design condoms into a more sustainable product.

Here, at Green Condom Club, we strive for transparency before anything else. 

• Our condoms are vegan and cruelty-free (without casein)

• They are made from organic and sustainably harvested natural rubber latex

• Do not contain paraben, glycerin, palm oil, spermicides (nonoxynol-9), benzocaine, benzocaine, thermo-active substances, or talcum 

• Do not contain gluten and corn

• Our packaging is made of recycled cardboard

• We care about reducing nitrosamines as much as possible

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Buying ethical, does it really make a difference?

Yes! Whether you're concerned about your budget, your wellbeing, animals or the environment, ethical buying can make a difference in your life, and for society as a whole.

But being a mindful consumer also means that sometimes the most sustainable thing you can do is to simply buy less, and not only choosing the green option. Because the core of ethical consumerism is to re-think our role as buyers: our money contributes to ethical (and less ethical) practices that go beyond our awareness.

The condom market shows us that there are already alternatives out there for any type of product: the key is to look for transparency and efforts to make the least impact on our health and the planet.

References

[1] True Alignment: Linking Company Culture with Customer Needs for Extraordinary Results, by Edgar Papke (2013)

[2] "Buying less is better than buying 'green' -- for the planet and your happiness", by Science Daily, University of Arizona (2019)

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