Go green: sustainability and the future of shopping

There was a time, (admittedly not that long ago) where the humble plastic bag (or bags) was provided with the goods you had purchased at any given store, straws were made out of plastic not paper and we all didn’t have to remember our masks in addition to our keys and phones. Previously not many people worried about the impact our actions were having on our world and environment, thankfully there seems to have been an awakening of sorts and we are becoming a society of greenple (people who are green conscious) who have more insight into how we contribute to our environment and that our contribution/s can be both negative and positive.

The impact of COVID-19 has definitely affected the way we shop with numerous lock-downs this has given us the opportunity to evaluate our shopping habits, in an article by the BBC it suggests we are moving towards a more eco conscious society with support for local businesses on the increase now more than ever.

Fast fashion manufacturing was set to explode as detailed in the State of Fashion report 2018 released by McKinsey & Company who assert that the fashion industry's impact on greenhouse gas emissions accounts for 4% alone, after oil production surprisingly it is the world's second most polluting commerce.

In my opinion if I had to choose between our planet and fast fashion I'd happily gallivant in all my birthing attire glory (with some strategically placed leaves of course) in public. Thankfully I'm sure that won't be necessary as there has been some real awareness from the industry and society as a whole to address these very issues. More companies are choosing quality over quantity, avoiding mass production of garments and finding more eco friendly ways to cultivate textile materials.

Plastic bags and paper straws were just the beginning of our plight to achieve sustainability within retail and home life. There are ways you can also achieve reducing your impact on our environment. Simple changes such as using reuseable bags at the supermarket which is cheaper than forking out 10p everytime anyhow. Buying locally and food which is in season (food miles)and not running the tap (like so many do)whilst brushing your teeth. Buying better quality clothes not mass produced also ensures they are of the highest quality and can be passed down again and again and again. Because materials used are better, a garments longevity is increased regardless of how many times it is washed.

The future of our shopping is definitely going through a shift and chances are it will continue to do so, we all have a responsibility to the environment in which we live and I for one wholeheartedly welcome these changes.

Look how beautiful our world is, lets keep in that way! <3