Simple Ways To Shop Sustainably In 2022

Consumers have many factors to consider when shopping. While price and quality remain constant focuses, new issues are coming into play as we enter 2022.

One of the most significant and important of these factors that affect what customers buy and where they make purchases is the environment.

As the climate crisis worsens, it’s understandable that customers are focusing more and more on sustainability.

Shopping sustainably can seem like a challenge, particularly if you’re busy and have to buy for a family and not just yourself.

Luckily, there are many ways for you to improve the sustainability of your shopping habits without putting in too much time and effort.

For anyone who wants to shop sustainably in 2022, we’ve put together some useful tips that aren’t too time-consuming and will reduce your impact on the earth.

Reduce Your Spending In General 

It isn’t always possible, but if you can, you should reduce the amount you buy, particularly when it comes to items produced using wasteful practices. One of the most wasteful consumer markets is fashion, which is why the main trend in the market right now is reduced consumption of ‘fast fashion.

Fast fashion refers to items of clothing that are purchased to be worn on one or two occasions and then thrown away and replaced. These items cause a lot of waste and are often thrown into landfill sites, where they can leach toxic chemicals into the earth for many years to come. Consider trying to reduce your spending by buying classic items and wardrobe staples that you can wear over and over again. You can also reduce your spending in other areas, which will benefit the environment and save you money as well.

Shop Local Where You Can 

Buying items locally reduces the amount of transport pollution that your items will produce. Some larger-named stores will buy items from one country and transport them around the world several times before they finally reach the consumer.

By choosing local stores, you can support small businesses and ensure that you get fresh, delicious foods that are tasty and reduce your personal impact on the environment. Also, you won’t have to drive so far to the shops, meaning you can reduce the emissions your individual journey produces. So, where possible, try to shop in small local stores and choose locally-sourced items. Local shops often provide high-quality customer service, and therefore, you might find that you can enjoy a better shopping experience when you shop locally.

Eat Seasonal Fruits And Vegetables 

Shopping locally means more than just supporting local small businesses. It also means trying to find as much food as possible that’s grown locally. Learn about the seasons for growing fruits and vegetables in the UK, and then try to eat as seasonally as possible. Growing seasons depend on the temperature and a number of other factors, so ask your local shop assistant to help you if you’re unsure.

This approach will allow you to reduce your carbon footprint, support local growers and also eat fresher foods. Locally grown produce is usually fresher than items that have been shipped over from abroad. Also, they will require fewer preservatives, so you will be eating produce that is better for your general health and wellbeing. Eating local, seasonal foods offers many benefits, so this could be an ideal approach for you and your family. It might take some more time and effort, but it will be worth it in the end when you reduce your carbon footprint.

Use Your Technology For Longer

Technology such as new phones and laptops can be difficult to recycle, and these items require a lot of energy to be made. As such, the longer you can keep your existing devices, the better for the environment and your wallet.

Traditionally, many consumers get a new phone as soon as their contract runs out, but now there are many better ways to pay for your mobile. Instead of getting a contract, try one of the cost-effective Pay-As-You-Go plans from Lebara. These innovative plans allow you to keep your existing device and get the network coverage you need. They’re flexible, so you can choose more or less coverage at any time. With these plans, you can make your phone last longer and save money, which is a win-win for everyone.

Choose Items With As Little Packaging As Possible 

For many years, we’ve been aware of the amount of waste produced by excess packaging. While many of us have reduced our use of single-use plastic bags and try to cut down on the packaging we buy, it can sometimes be difficult to reduce our reliance on packaging altogether.

Where possible, you should try to choose items that aren’t packaged in lots of plastic. Whether they use recycled materials, or none at all, trying to find items in smaller containers will help you to reduce your waste when you return from your shopping trip. If you can, you could consider using a local zero-waste store and bringing your own container to completely get rid of the need for any packaging at all.

Keep Adapting And Finding New Ways To Shop Sustainably 

Shopping sustainably can take a lot of trial and error, so be prepared to keep adapting as you find new ways to reduce your personal impact on the environment. Keep checking out online eco-influencers to see if they ever have any tips for how to make your shopping trips more eco-friendly. It may also help if you ask around and see if anyone you know has some insight into how you can improve your local shopping habits.

While you might not be able to undertake all these tips, you can start small and work your way up. If you can’t cut something out completely, then try taking small steps. Don’t be too hard on yourself if you make a mistake. Every little way you can improve your sustainability when shopping is a win for the environment, so just try your best to be as environmentally friendly as possible. This applies both to your shopping trips and throughout your life in general.