Ah, Black Friday. Sales, sales sales (oh, and did we mention – sales!?) It’s a glorious weekend, and sometimes even a whole week, to get a head start on your Christmas shopping all while snagging a really good deal.
Although Black Friday is a relatively new concept here in Australia, there’s no denying that it’s been well received. We’re happy to welcome the mayhem that Black Friday brings (and we can’t wait to get stuck into some shopping!), but we mustn’t forego our eco-duties to the earth and ocean in the name of a good sale.
Here at Pelli Bags, we’re committed to turning this Black Friday, Green! We’ve compiled a list of 5 easy tips to help you make the most of your Black Friday shopping all while ensuring that our oceans stay nice and clean.
- Don’t overdo it.
We’ve all been guilty of buying far more than we need when we see those bright red SALE signs hanging on a shop window. Suddenly we find ourselves overloaded with an assortment of products that we’ll likely never use. What a waste of money! (And fabric, and water and labour and resource…we could go on…) This Black Friday, follow in the wise words of Forrest Green and “Take only what you need, not what you want.”
Create a wish list of items that you really need. Maybe it’s a new pair of shoes (because yours have reached the end of their life cycle). Perhaps it’s a gift for your mum that you know she’s been eyeing off. Whatever it may be, put it on the list! Take the list with you to the shops, and stick to it – no adding!
- Support small businesses.
We know you’ve likely heard it before, but supporting small, local businesses is so valuable for the growth of our communities! There are so many incredible small businesses that offer a wealth of amazing, eco-friendly products around Australia. Say goodbye to the stock-standard gifts like socks and mugs and say hello to the creations of local Aussie artisans.
We recommend checking out this small business directory to help you shop small and local this Black Friday: https://www.purelocal.com.au/
- Let’s get ethical.
It may come as a surprise to learn that a lot of your favourite retailers are highly unethical. Whether its underpaying workers, unfair working conditions or using materials that are not eco-friendly, there are so many ways that big corporations are harming the environment and humanity.
Take the time to research companies before you purchase from them. We love this tool that allows you to search different retailers from Australia, and see their ethical rating on an A,B,C,D,E and F rating system: https://baptistworldaid.org.au/resources/ethical-fashion-guide/
- Be conscious of packaging.
We all love the feeling of unwrapping a beautifully packaged gift. Pretty paper, nice ribbons and bows. But the reality is that this gorgeous wrapping is causing some pretty ugly waste in our oceans. More often than not, excess packaging is not recycled correctly (or, at all). So although you may stumble across an item or two during your Black Friday shopping fun, we encourage you to take a moment to evaluate it’s packaging, and seek out an alternative option that uses less plastic.
- Invest in good quality, over a large quantity.
"Buy less, choose well: that's the maxim. Quality not quantity. That's the most environmentally friendly thing you can do." - Vivienne Westwood
There’s nothing worse than spending a large portion of money on a product that falls apart almost instantly (hello!) A little bit of extra research can go a long way in stretching out the life span of your product (and your wallet). Before purchasing a product, research alternative options that may be manufactured with more eco-friendly materials. The cost-price may slightly increase, but rest assured that your purchase will stand the test of time and won’t need to be replaced as quickly as cheaper products will.
Happy Shopping! Don’t forget to turn this Black Friday, Green!