5 Impactful Life Hacks to Shopping Sustainably Online
By Julie Howell
Online shopping can feel overwhelming if you’re worried about the environmental impact your decisions might have. The good news? You can still online shop with sustainability in mind.
Here are five hacks to help you make more conscious decisions before you add to cart.
1. DO YOUR RESEARCH
Before you start shopping, do your research to find brands that you can feel good about supporting. Look for unbiased, third-party research that takes into account the many aspects of sustainability like fabric choice, shipping options and labor practices.
Good on You, an organization supported by Emma Watson, has a comprehensive brand directory you can use to assess the brand’s sustainability. Their rating system includes factors like labor practices, energy use, carbon emissions and use of animal fabrics like fur and shearling.
Keep in mind that sustainability is a complex topic, and, like most things, it’s not always cut and dry. We love Good on You because it rates brands on a scale. Look for brands that fall into the Good or Great categories, and to truly assure the brand is sustainable, make sure to check the Planet rating as well.
2. READ PRODUCT DESCRIPTIONS FULLY
When was the last time you really read through a full product description on a website? When you’re shopping sustainably, this is a good habit to get into.
Here are a few things to watch out for:
Say no to all forms of plastic—polyester, nylon, acrylic and other synthetic fibers.
If it’s cotton, look for organic. Conventionally grown cotton is one of agriculture’s most polluting crops. Almost 2.2 pounds of hazardous pesticides are required to grow 2 ½ acres of this cotton.
Look for brands that provide full product descriptions and check to see what the brand’s overall approach to sustainability is, this is often found on the About page.
It’s also important to read through reviews before making a purchase to make sure the quality of the product is durable.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Brands should have contact information or live chats available so you can ask any questions you have about the product or their sustainability practices.
3. SHOP VINTAGE
Shopping for vintage or second-hand items has endless benefits, (including totally unique style)! You can give a second life to pre-loved pieces and reduce waste while looking great. If you’re looking to satisfy your designer tastes, shopping secondhand can also save you some cash. It’s a no-brainer in our book.
Here are a few of our favorites.
For Designer & Luxury Pieces:
Farfetch’s Pre-Owned collection
For Everyday Pieces:
Be sure to check for local options. For example, Shop Dabl (based in Columbus, Ohio) also sells online.
4. BUY LOCAL WHEN YOU CAN
Should you swear off Target runs forever? Maybe not, but you can look for local alternatives to things you may otherwise buy from a chain retailer. Even as you look for locally-made alternatives, it’s important to keep asking questions. Most local retailers now have websites or social media accounts where you can inquire and purchase an item for curbside or in-store pick-up.
When shopping local, make sure you understand not just where the products are sold, but where they are made. Talk to your local shop owners about sustainability and how they choose their products or brands.
5. DON’T FORGET ABOUT SHIPPING
Once your product is added to your cart, the environmental impacts don’t stop there. Sustainable brands will aim to reduce their carbon footprint when it comes to packaging and shipping, so be sure to check the website for that information.
Sustainable shipping questions to ask:
Is the company carbon neutral? Carbon neutral means the company is making no net release of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere, often through offsetting emissions by planting trees.
Is the packaging compostable, reusable or at a minimum recyclable?
Where is the product being shipped from? How many miles is it traveling to reach your doorstep?
Fashion brand LANIUS offers the possibility to choose an already used carton as a shipping option for your order. All packaging materials they use, from cardboard to stickers, are also carefully selected. And the clothes are packed in a compostable and biodegradable Eco-Polybag—that’s what we like to see!
6. SHOP SISTAIN APPROVED BRANDS
With just a little bit of homework, you can start to build your capsule wardrobe. Or skip the homework, and head to our affiliate section full of SISTAIN Approved Brands. We’ve done all the research and product testing for you. Here are some of our favorite brands and pieces that fill our closets.
Our curated collection of SISTAIN Approved Brands - quality, timeless pieces designed to last a lifetime. If you purchase through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission, at no cost to you. We only recommend products that align with our goal - to help our community live a more sustainable life through conscious consumerism and to create change for the greater good.
Find online retailers you both love and feel good about. So the next time a new item arrives on your welcome mat, you can feel good about your new style, and your new, reduced impact.
