How to Be a Mindful Consumer

Going shopping might not feel fun if you’re worried your choices might impact the environment or the global community. Fortunately, you can still buy the items you need while protecting the earth’s resources. Being a mindful consumer means being aware of your actions and how they impact the planet, your community, and other people.^[1] To be a mindful consumer, change your shopping habits, reflect on your purchases, and deal with waste mindfully.

[Edit]Steps

[Edit]Changing Your Shopping Habits

1. Buy only the things that you need. You need items like food, clothing, and personal care products. Additionally, it’s okay to decorate your home and buy accessories. However, it’s easy to buy way more stuff than you actually need. Before you make a purchase, consider if you actually need that item or if it’s just something that would be nice to have.^[2]
   
   • For instance, you need a winter coat to stay warm. It’s totally fine to pick a stylish coat that makes you feel great! However, you likely don’t need 5 different coats so you can change up your look every day.
2. Choose second-hand items whenever possible. Buying second-hand saves you money and helps the planet. Shop garage sales, thrift stores, consignment shops, and online resale websites to look for items you need. If you can, purchase these items second-hand to help you be a more mindful consumer.^[3]
   
   • Don’t buy items that you don’t need, even if they’re second-hand. Someone else might really need that item, so leave it for them to find.
3. Shop locally to reduce emissions and support your community. Buying local foods is usually better for the environment because they don’t need to be shipped. These foods are typically grown seasonally and in their native environment. Additionally, buying items from local stores also supports your community and helps small businesses thrive. Here are some ways to shop locally:^[4]
   
   • Go to farmer’s markets.
   • Buy from local artisans.
   • Go to local businesses.
4. Use reusable shopping bags to cut down on waste. Both plastic and paper shopping bags use the earth's resources, so it's best to avoid them if you can. Always bring reusable shopping bags when you're out shopping. Additionally, keep a bag or 2 in your car for impromptu shopping trips so that you're never without a bag.^[5]
   
   • Some stores offer you a discount if you bring your own bag. Ask the clerk if you're eligible for a discount when you check out.
5. Pick items that have less packaging so there's less waste. The packaging that your products come in instantly becomes waste after you open the item. When you're buying something new, compare the amount of packaging on your different options. Then, choose the item that has the least amount of packaging.^[6]
   
   • See if you can recycle the packaging after you open the item. For instance, cardboard or plastic packaging may be able to be recycled.
6. Look for fair-trade or eco-friendly labels on the products you buy. Some products that are ethically sourced have labels to help you easily identify them. Typically, fair-trade means that the business paid fair prices to the producer of the goods. Eco-friendly means that the product was made in an environmentally sustainable way. Check products for these labels to help you make easy shopping decisions.^[7]
   
   • For instance, you might find notebooks made from recycled materials that have an eco-friendly label. Similarly, you’ll often see chocolate and coffee with a fair-trade label, which tells you the farmers were fairly paid for their cocoa or coffee beans.
   • It’s still important that you don’t buy more than you need, even if items are fair-trade or eco-friendly.

[Edit]Reflecting on Your Purchases

1. Make sure you have a purpose for every purchase you make. When you find something you want, pause for a moment and think about how it fits into your life. Figure out how you will use it and if you already have an item that serves that purpose. Purchase the item only if you have a reason to get it.^[8]
   
   • For instance, let’s say you need a new pair of running shoes because your old shoes are worn out. In this case, you’d have a purpose for buying the shoes. However, it might not be a mindful purchase if your current shoes are in good condition.
2. Identify the drawbacks of purchasing an item. When you’re thinking about buying an item, consider its impact on the environment. Additionally, look into how it’s produced. Do your best to choose items that have less impact on the planet and the global community. Here are some things to consider:^[9]
   
   • Can the item be reused or recycled?
   • Do you have space for the item?
   • Is the item sustainably produced?
   • Was the item manufactured ethically?
3. Research items to choose the most ethical option. Look up companies and products online to learn more about how they’re produced. Then, make a list of companies that have values you support. Purchase the items you need from the places you feel support your ideals.^[10]
   
   • For instance, learn about the materials that go into the products you purchase. Additionally, look at how they’re manufactured, such as where they’re made and who makes them.

[Edit]Dealing with Waste Mindfully

1. Use items until they’re used up or broken. Once you own an item, do your best to extend its life as long as possible. Keep your items until they wear out or are no longer useful. Then, try to reuse it for another purpose. Don’t throw it away until you can’t figure out another use for it.^[11]
   
2. Donate items in good condition that you’re no longer using. When you don’t need items anymore, try to keep them out of the trash. Give the items to a thrift store or charity if you can. As another option, offer the items to family or friends. This keeps stuff out of landfills.^[12]
   
   • Giving your old stuff away also helps your community because it allows others to buy what they need second-hand.
3. Make green crafts with single-use items. It’s best to reuse items instead of recycling them or throwing them out. Get creative with the stuff you don’t need anymore and turn these items into crafts. Look for inspiration online!^[13]
   
   • For instance, you can cut up a paper towel roll and glue the pieces together to make a wreath.
   • Reuse pasta sauce jars or salsa jars to store food or as candles holders.
   • Make a vase or cup out of a wine bottle.
4. Recycle items that are no longer useful. Before you throw an item away, check it to see if it’s okay to recycle them. If they are, place them in the recycling bin rather than the trash. This ensures the earth’s resources are being used well.^[14]
   
   • Some recycling companies require you to sort the items before you send them in for recycling. If this is the case for you, make sure you’re grouping the items as directed. For instance, place plastics in one group and paper in another group.
5. Compost uneaten food instead of throwing it in the trash. Organic material like uneaten food and fruit or vegetable peels can be composted instead of thrown in the trash. Put your food scraps in a compost pile in your yard or a compost box that you keep in the kitchen. Later, you can use your compost to fertilize your plants if you like.^[15]
   
   • Don't put meat, grease, fat, or bones in your compost pile. It's also best to avoid composting baked goods or dairy because they'll attract pests.^[16]
   • If you don’t use your compost, offer it to people who might be able to use it, such as gardeners.

[Edit]Tips

• It’s best to buy fewer items and use them for as long as possible.
• Give others advice on how to be a mindful consumer. However, don’t harass people or make them feel bad if they make different choices from yours.

[Edit]Related wikiHows

• Identify Chickweed
• Remove Waste from Your Life
• Go Green in Your Kitchen
• Create Sustainable Happiness

[Edit]References

1. ↑ https://scholars.fhsu.edu/jiibr/vol3/iss1/10/
2. ↑ https://www.yesmagazine.org/issues/the-human-cost-of-stuff/annie-leonard-more-than-a-mindful-consumer
3. ↑ https://www.yesmagazine.org/issues/the-human-cost-of-stuff/annie-leonard-more-than-a-mindful-consumer
4. ↑ https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0969698917306355
5. ↑ https://sustainability.ncsu.edu/blog/changeyourstate/why-reusable-bags-are-better-than-plastic/
6. ↑ https://www.epa.gov/recycle/reducing-and-reusing-basics
7. ↑ https://www.yesmagazine.org/issues/the-human-cost-of-stuff/annie-leonard-more-than-a-mindful-consumer
8. ↑ https://www.thesimpledollar.com/10-simple-ways-to-beat-impulse-buying/
9. ↑ https://www.fastcompany.com/90208079/stop-buying-crap-and-companies-will-stop-making-crap
10. ↑ https://www.yesmagazine.org/issues/the-human-cost-of-stuff/annie-leonard-more-than-a-mindful-consumer
11. ↑ https://www.epa.gov/recycle/reducing-and-reusing-basics
12. ↑ https://www.epa.gov/recycle/reducing-and-reusing-basics
13. ↑ https://www.yesmagazine.org/issues/the-human-cost-of-stuff/annie-leonard-more-than-a-mindful-consumer
14. ↑ https://www.epa.gov/recycle/recycling-basics
15. ↑ https://extension.uga.edu/publications/detail.html?number=B1189&title=Food%20Waste%20Composting:%20Institutional%20and%20Industrial%20Application
16. ↑ https://www.compostinstructions.com/what-you-can-and-cannot-compost/