It’s well-known that independents are light years ahead of the chains in promoting conscious consumerism and operating sustainably. While the chains stock mass-produced, identikit items, independents focus on stocking hand-crafted, artisanal products which means shopping independent is a sure-fire way to consume more consciously.
Home and Garden on Female First
We work with many sustainable, independent boutiques, like Freyr and Fell in Hampshire and Yume in Copenhagen, who are founded on exactly this mission. They stock ethically produced pieces and intensively research the brands’ and makers’ eco-credentials.
Buy less, buy better
We as consumers are moving away from purchasing throwaway trends and looking for items which stand the test of time: buying less, but better. The key when it comes to buying is to think about how much use you will get from item, whether it will actually be used and, crucially whether it will stand the test of time. If it ticks all the boxes then it’s worth the investment.
Similarly with interiors, flat-pack furniture may be an easy option, but it lacks longevity, so invest a little more in a design classic that will be a longer-term investment and help to reduce waste.
Similarly, it’s common knowledge that fashion is the second most polluting industry, so cutting back on throwaway trend purchases and buying wardrobe staples you’ll wear time and time again, is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint.
Words by Lucy Ward