The U.S. is one of the wealthiest countries in the world, and we have more money to spend than most of the world’s population. With this money, you can buy products that benefit not only yourself, but those in need through ethical shopping. Ethical shopping is when you purchase products and services that are made while minimizing social and environmental damage.
There are four types of ethical shopping: positive buying, negative purchasing, company-based purchasing, and the fully-screened approach.
Positive Buying is favoring certain ethical products, like energy saving lightbulbs.
Negative Purchasing is avoiding products that you disapprove of, like gas-guzzling cars.
Company-Based Purchasing is targeting a business as a whole and avoiding all the products made by that company.
Fully-Screened Approach is looking at companies and products and evaluating which product is the most ethical overall.
Ethical shopping is so important because of the unethical ways products are being made. Fast fashion, or creating a surplus of clothing cheaply, causes poor working conditions and environmental concerns that have effects all over the world. Here are a few problems associated with four big categories: clothing, electronics, food and drink; and household and personal care.
Clothing
The problem: Leather
Every year the global leather industry slaughters more than one billion animals for their skins. Many of these animals suffer nightmares at factory farms, like extreme crowding and confinement, deprivation, and non-anesthetized castration and dehorning. They also receive cruel treatment during transport and slaughter. Most leather comes from countries like India and China, where animal welfare laws are non-existent or not enforced. Animal skin is turned into finished leather with dangerous substances, like formaldehyde and various oils, dyes, and finishes. Most leather produced in the U.S. and around the world is chrome-tanned. All wastes that contain chromium are considered hazardous by the Environmental Protection Agency.
The problem: Fur
An average of 40 animals are required to make one fur coat. Approximately 30 million animals are raised in cages and killed worldwide for fur every year. 85 percent of the fur industry’s skins come from animals raised in fur farms. Animals raised on these fur farms live in intense confinement and suffer psychologically. They also suffer extremely violent deaths. A large portion of fur used on lower cost products is from rabbits. China is the world’s largest producer of rabbits and has no animal welfare laws. Approximately 10 million animals are trapped and killed worldwide each year for fur. In the U.S., trappers are licensed by state agencies, just like hunters.
The problem: Labor
Modern-day slavery, which currently affects more than 30 million people, is used throughout the production process of many clothing products. Factory managers typically push employees to work between 10 and 12 hours, sometimes 16 to 18 hours a day. A seven-day work week is becoming normal, particularly in China. The majority of workers rarely earn more than $2 a day. Many have to work excessive hours for this amount, and even then, they struggle to properly care for their families. A growing trend within the garment industry are employment patterns such as long-term temporary contracts, short-term contracts and day workers, and subcontracting.
The problem: A living wage
According to a 2011 report by O’Rourke Group Partners, a generic $14 polo shirt sold in Canada and manufactured in Bangladesh costs a retailer only $5.67 to make. To achieve such a low number, workers only get 12 cents per shirt. In Bangladesh, 4 million garment workers, mostly women, are paid as little as $38 per month—a quarter of China’s current minimum wage—to sew clothing for brands and retailers in North America and Europe. In Cambodia, over 80 percent of workers are women aged 18-35 and many of these have children and families to provide for. With escalating living costs in housing, food, clothing, education, transport and healthcare, the minimum wage simply isn’t enough.
The problem: Cotton and child labor
There are 14 countries that use child labor for the cotton industry: Argentina, Azerbaijan, Benin, Brazil, Burkina Faso, China, Egypt, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Paraguay, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. The child workers are often in a state of debt bondage and work at least nine hours a day. The pesticides they use cause health problems like headaches, convulsions and respiratory problems. In Uzbekistan, one of the world’s largest exporters of cotton, as many as two million children are forced to pick cotton in order to meet government-imposed production quotas. Around 70 percent of this cotton is sold to Bangladesh and China, where it is turned into fabric to be used in cotton products to be sold in other countries.
Electronics
The problem: Carbon footprint
In 2007, the electronics industry emitted about 1.4 billion tons of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Manufacturing is more to blame than usage, totaling at around 80 percent of the carbon footprint for mobile phones and computers. In 2009, carbon dioxide comprised 76.7 percent of the global greenhouse gas. The concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is around 400 parts per million and is continuing to increase. While device efficiency continues to improve, it remains unknown whether that will ever be enough to keep up with the large number of new users every day. A Guardian article claims that the carbon footprint of cloud computing will double between 2007 and 2020.
The problem: E-waste
Annually, e-waste comprises up to 8 percent of municipal waste worldwide and is one of the fastest-growing sources of refuse. Disposing of e-waste in landfills can lead to toxic chemicals leaching into the ground over time, while incinerating it releases those chemicals into the air. Chemicals like mercury build up over time in the food chain, eventually reaching human consumption. Sometimes, e-waste is sent illegally to developing countries as “second-hand goods.” They are then torn apart to access the valuable materials inside. This exposes the workers, which are often children, to dangerous substances like mercury, cadmium and lead. Between 50 and 80 percent of American computers eventually reach other parts of the world in this way.
The problem: Tin mining
Tin is an important metal used in tablets and smartphones. Five smartphones can contain the same amount of tin as an entire car. Tin is located within the crust of the earth, and extracting it involves clearing and ploughing land, or dredging the seabed. About one-third of the global supply of tin comes from the Indonesian islands of Bangka and Belitung. Tin mining has contributed to the destruction of 10 percent of Bangka’s forests and to the killing of around two-thirds of the coral and local fish populations. Tin mining also lacks proper safety regulations. Apple, Samsung, LG and Sony have admitted at least some of the tin in their products is sourced from the islands of Bangka and Belitung.
The problem: Labor exploitation
Child and forced labor is known to occur during the extraction of minerals for electronic goods. Artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) refers to a type of mining done with low-grade machinery and hard physical labor. 20-30 million people are estimated to be employed for ASM. They are usually impoverished and ineligible to receive formal loans. Independent reports have consistently recorded poor working conditions for these workers in electronics manufacturers. Workers are often exposed to hazards such as toxic chemicals and metal dust. Employees are not usually paid above the legal minimum wage, and some companies don’t supply social insurance and work injury insurance as required by law.
The problem: Toxics
PVC (polyvinyl chloride) and BFRs (brominated flame retardants) are toxic chemicals used in electronics. PVC, plastic used to coat and insulate cables, contains carcinogenic and environmentally unsafe substances and can leach toxins into landfills when disposed of. BFRs, used to prevent circuit boards from igniting, are resistant to degradation and build up in animals and humans over time. Humans can also be exposed to it through product usage. Lead, used in older CRT monitors, cadmium, used in laptop batteries and computer contacts, and mercury, used in lighting devices for flat screen displays, are also of particular concern. These chemicals can damage the brain and cause intellectual impairment, and can also harm kidneys, bones, and reproductive systems.
Food and Drink
The problem: Egg choices
Cage-laid eggs are from conventional egg farming practices. The hens have little space, poor conditions, and are unable to move properly or freely. Barn-laid eggs are from a large barn or shed which contains appropriate commodities for the hens. The hens are usually squished together into a small area. Free-range eggs come from hens that have access to an outdoor area during the day, and at night are kept in sheds or barns. In 2008, the European Union announced a ban on conventional battery cages. This will mean ‘enriched’ cages must allow proper space for the hens, and contain necessities such as a nest, litter, perch and clawing-board.
The problem: High cost of animal products
Globally, farm animal production accounts for almost one-fifth of human-made greenhouse gas emissions. As outlined in a United Nations report, livestock production is also a major contributor to the problems of land degradation, air pollution, loss of biodiversity, and water pollution. Almost 50 percent of all the grains grown in the world go toward cattle feed. This amount is enough food to feed 8.7 billion people. Currently, 870 million people are undernourished. Production of dairy and beef products requires large amounts of water. The dairy sector alone accounts for one out of every 10 litters of total household water use. It takes 1,000 liters of water to produce one liter of milk.
The problem: Overfishing
The demand for fish and seafood has doubled over the past 30 years. In response, three quarters of the world’s oceans have now been over-exploited, depleted or fished to their limit. Around 5 percent of the world’s entire fish catch, by weight, is tuna. All 23 identified, commercially exploited stocks are heavily fished; at least nine of these are classified as fully fished. and a further four are classified as overexploited or depleted. Sharks are some of the most threatened fish in Australia. They are slow to breed and are not keeping up with the numbers being caught. Dredging or trawling, where a net is dragged along the ocean floor, has the greatest impact.
The problem: Bisphenol A
Bisphenol A (BPA) is a highly controversial chemical that is found in the lining of most canned foods, drinks and used in some plastics. In 2008, Canada was the first country to formally acknowledge that exposure to BPA could have neural and behavioral effects on fetuses, infants and children at rhe existing exposure levels. This led to the move by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to ban BPA from baby bottles and sippy cups. In 2012, Canada’s government stated that current dietary exposure to BPA through food packaging uses is not expected to pose a health risk to the general population.
The problem: Child exploitation and chocolate
Since 2000, the chocolate industry has been under scrutiny for using cocoa beans from West African cocoa farms that use child labor. It is estimated that the Ivory Coast has 300,000 children working in dangerous conditions with more half of these children under the age of 14. The work includes spraying harsh pesticides, using machetes and carrying heavy loads. The international chocolate industry has only recently made some significant progress. Cadbury now has Fairtrade certification on its Dairy Milk branding, while Mars and Nestle have some products certified under the UTZ and Rainforest Alliance schemes. These changes are positive, but greater corporate responsibility is required to end child exploitation.
Household and Personal Care
The problem: Animal testing
In Australia, 6.5 million animals are used for research and teaching each year, with many used to test cosmetic products. Animal toxicity tests involve blinding and poisoning animals. Testing is not mandatory in Australia, however manufacturers are asked to conduct whatever tests are appropriate to determine the safety of their products. In 2009, Europe introduced a ban on testing animals for cosmetic products where non-animal alternatives are available, in addition to banning the sale of animal tested cosmetics no matter where they are produced. An investigation from 2013 found that major cosmetic brands are failing to inform customers that their beauty products are tested on animals in China.
The problem: Nanotechnology
The use of nanotechnology in consumer products continues to increase rapidly. This is the use of nanoparticles, which are found in cosmetics, moisturisers and some sunscreens. They are used to increase products’ penetration into the skin. Today, they can be found in over 1,300 products including cosmetics, clothing, sports rackets, computers and non-stick cookware. Common nanoparticles found in consumer products include silver, zinc oxide, and titanium oxide. Studies suggest nanotechnology ingredients in cosmetics pose serious health risks to the women wearing them. Concerns have been raised that if nanoparticles are absorbed into living skin cells they could increase the risk of skin cancer.
The problem: Chemicals in cosmetics
Many everyday personal care products, like shampoo and cosmetics, have a long list of chemicals ingredients with names most of us don’t recognize. In many cases, these ingredients are harsh industrial chemicals. Some have even been linked to cancer, allergies, birth defects and other health issues. Some of these chemicals, although safe in small amounts, do build up over time and this intensive long-term exposure does seem to present unnecessary health risks. There is no current international consensus on the safety standards for cosmetic and personal care products. Some chemicals that are banned in Europe and the U.S. are still considered safe by other countries.
The problem: Micro plastics
Micro plastics, or microbeads, are used in some personal care products such as facial scrubs, cleansers and toothpaste. These particles are not retained by wastewater treatment so they end up in the ocean. While micro plastics aren’t thought to be a health hazard to consumers, they are a huge threat to the marine environment. As micro plastics are indistinguishable from plankton, the potential ingestion by tiny crustaceans is significant. If these creatures ingest them and are eaten by other larger creatures, and so on, micro plastics can travel up the food chain. These toxins could also end up in the seafood we eat like shellfish, white fish and tuna.
The problem: Cleaning supplies
Cleaning products are not required to display a complete list of ingredients. Many of these hidden ingredients may cause skin, eyes and respiratory irritation, asthma, headaches and chemical burns. Others have been associated with more serious long term health concerns such as hormone disruption and neurological disorders. You can determine how dangerous a product is by reading the label. The most dangerous ones are marked “Danger” or “Poison” while the slightly toxic ones are marked with “Caution.” If the ingredients are listed, it’s best to avoid: chlorine or ammonia (when listed as active ingredients), formaldehyde, terpenes, phenols, organic mercurials, balsams, aluminum, alkylphenol ethoxylates (APEs), and phosphates. These can have effects on both the consumer and the environment.
When you aren’t buying ethically, you’re helping to support these issues. Even just buying small, everyday items can contribute to a better future. Here’s what can you do to begin helping the world by shopping.
Get educated
An important part of shopping ethically is knowing as much as you can about the products you buy. Some companies have the information on their websites, but you may need to search around for it. The best option is to get in direct contact with the company. Many companies are happy and willing to answer the questions.
Shop at local stores
Even if a product says it’s made in the country, the materials or parts of the item could come from somewhere else. It’s hard to trace every small detail to a location, especially when dealing with a large company. By shopping locally, the staff will more than likely know everything about their products and the factories they were made in.
Shop at thrift stores
While buying clothes new and cheap from a store sounds like the better option, you can find treasures among the aisles of a thrift store. This not only helps keep items out of landfills, but it’s typically cheaper than buying new. When you buy used items, you can also use the money you save for new, ethically-sourced products. Ethically-made pieces are investments for cool-girl fashion and the world.
Shop fair trade
The main idea of the fair trade movement is ensuring that employees – especially those in developing countries – are paid fair, livable wages for their work. You can get almost anything fair trade, but remember to look for fair trade certification when buying products from industries linked to practices like child and slave labor, such as the cocoa industry.
Learn how to repair clothing or find a good tailor
Knowing how to do minor fixes and changes to your clothes like sewing holes or adjusting hems. This will help your clothes last longer and stop you from running to the mall to buy replacements as often. Another option is to find a tailor in your area. They can do both minor and major adjustments to your clothes to help them fit better.