With Thanksgiving just around the corner, millions of shoppers around the world will soon be flocking to malls, department stores, and retailers in celebration of the busiest shopping day of the year, Black Friday. Although this unofficial shopping bonanza creates opportunities for bargain hunters to save on their favorite brand names, Black Friday also generates massive volumes of consumer waste.
Here are a few tips on how to be “green” on Black Friday:
Remember to bring your reusable shopping bags whever you go on Black Friday and throughout the holiday season while you do your shopping. Learn more about the plactic bag ban here.
Shopping online is more efficient, reduces the amount of fuel needed to get that must-have item from the store to your doorstep and lessens gas emissions into the environment.
While shopping for that perfect outfit this winter, be sure to check the labels as not all clothing fabrics are made equal. Fabrics such as polyester and acrylic contain synthetic fibers, which shed plastic microfibers into oceans, rivers and waterways after a normal laundry cycle.
Buying secondhand electronics or clothing is more affordable to consumers and also keeps reusable items and textiles out of landfills.
When purchasing electronics, look for devices with the Energy Star label, signifying these devices to be energy efficient and certified to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants caused by the inefficient use of energy.