Five Reasons Why You Should Shop Ethically

Many consumers do not realize the impact their purchases make on the environment and the well-being of other civilians. When you decide to buy products from an ethically sourced company, you will find numerous benefits that will change your perspective and inspire others to instill this change in their lives as well. Ethical businesses provide their workers with safe conditions, refrain from animal testing, and produce quality products. We’ve curated a list of reasons why you should shop ethically here:

1. Impact on Society

Choosing to shop ethically will not only make you feel as if you’re doing something good for the planet, but it will inspire those around you to do the same as well. It may seem that your participation is only a small part of the change, but every amount helps to reduce waste and unethical practices in large corporations. You might not realize it at first, but shopping ethically contributes to a better life for those living in poverty or exploited communities. When you buy from an unethical company, you are often unaware of what conditions the workers face and the treatment they receive. Ethical brands often provide empowerment programs, giving employees access to education and growth opportunities, and when you buy from these companies, you support this great cause.

2. Quality of Products

Many companies, but not all, considered ethical tend to be small businesses. That’s not to say that larger corporations are not ethical, but small companies often have better practices because they operate on a smaller scale. When you support these companies, you are helping a business that is passionate about quality and ethically resourced materials. These ethically-made products are typically much higher quality compared to companies that use “fast fashion” pieces. Sustainable products are often crafted by hand and consist of strong, natural, durable materials, causing them to hold up last longer over time. The common goal of these companies is to ensure you are completely satisfied with your purchase since they are smaller and can normally interact one-on-one with their customers. 

3. Empowerment for Business Owners

Since ethical products are typically handmade in a safe environment, this atmosphere can create a place where business owners and employees can learn and grow exponentially. These encouraging and empowering environments are often a haven for business owners and employees in their communities. By owning a small ethical business, owners and employees often see their work as a safe space for professional growth and personal development. When you decide to support a business like this, you will be supporting them financially and helping them have a safe place to work and grow without subjection to awful working conditions. 

4. Supporting an Important Cause

It is no secret that our world experiences many environmental issues, from global warming to pesticide pollution, to horrible working conditions in factories. Most people can agree that changes need to occur. By shopping ethically, you can feel good about supporting ethical companies since your purchase is more than just a purchase. Your purchase provides hope for the world’s future and helps reduce waste and eliminate horrific factory conditions. Many of the unethical products we buy are produced by companies that pay their workers poverty wages and often stash their profits in offshore tax havens. Choosing to buy from sustainable sources will ultimately help end unethical behavior.

5. Waste Reduction

You might have noticed on your journey to sustainability that products from ethical brands tend to be a little more expensive. The attraction to the low prices of unethical products is prevalent, but what people don’t realize is that these products will not last as long because of the cheap materials. Because of the high price of ethical products, this should discourage consumers from throwing items out so often. Sustainably made products last in terms of durability and style. These ethically made products also contribute to ‘Waste Management’ amongst its important principles and assist in finding sustainable ways to destroy waste and try to reduce it in the first instance.

Once you begin to buy ethically sourced products, you will feel better about what you are bringing into your home and financially contributing to a sustainable company. Your impact on society will not go unnoticed and should provide peace of mind in your purchases. To learn more about what companies are practicing sustainability and producing environmentally-friendly products, visit our website to see where your favorite company ranks. We strive to help customers find great businesses to support, but we also help large corporations, nonprofit organizations, and small businesses grow by giving them feedback and exposure. Get started today with SCORD!