Over the past few years, Black Friday has become synonymous with overconsumption as shoppers flock to the stores for some post-Thanksgiving shopping. It signifies the beginning of the holiday shopping season and customers are primed for making purchases. However, they end up buying things they don’t need due to the massive discounts and the exclusive “Black Friday” deals.
This retail holiday has its origins in the late 1980s USA, today thanks to globalization it is being observed the world over. The statistics on the impact of Black Friday on the environment are staggering:
- It’s reported that the carbon footprint of clothing sales is 74% higher on Black Friday than on any other day.
- An estimate of over 429,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions happen as a result of Black Friday deliveries.
- 80% of the products bought on Black Friday end up in landfills because they’re either of poor quality or damaged.
- In the US alone waste from packaging increased by 25%.
Ethical Shopping for Black Friday
The world is at a boiling point and climate change is resulting in extreme weather events. Global warming has already impacted thousands of people all across the planet with unprecedented temperatures and unpredictable weather. Black Friday is no longer sustainable. Experts warn that the world is currently using resources 75% faster than the earth can renew it. This Black Friday, make a vow to shop ethically and reduce waste.
Here’s how to do it:
Conclusion
Celebrating Black Friday by opting for sustainable products, employing ethical purchasing practices and making conscious efforts to reduce waste is the choice we have to make in order to reduce our impact on the planet.
Already markets are seeing a marked shift in attitudes of people toward consumerism and sustainability. Let our mantras this shopping season be “Less is more, recycle and reuse, if you don’t need it don’t buy it.”
