As humans, we tend to consume many items throughout our days. Being intentional or conscious about our consumer habits combines a consideration of the people and planet in addition to the price and product qualities before we consume something.

Considering the ethical element means focusing on the health & wellbeing, fair treatment, living wage earning potential & safety of the people involved in the manufacturing process. Being cognizant of the eco element involves contemplating the environmental impacts to our planet such as renewable or sustainable practices, non-toxic/insecticide/ pesticide chemicals and zero waste or circular approaches to production and packaging.

Conscious Consumption involves making your purchasing decisions on more than just the price and face value of the product. Conscious consumption means voting with your dollars for more eco-friendly and ethical options.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR

Transparency is the best marketing! If brands aren’t talking about some or all of these things, they aren’t doing them … happy shopping!

PEOPLE- TREATING HUMANS LIKE HUMANS

• Fair, or even better, Living Wage

• Freely Chosen Employment

• Safe Working Conditions

• No Discrimination

PLANET- RESPECTING THE NATURAL RESOURCES WE ALL SHARE

• Organic clothing aka pesticide and insecticide free natural fibers

• Renewable fibers only (not poly-based unless its recycled plastic fibers)

• Clean energy use

• Water/ resource conservation efforts

• Carbon emission reduction and/or offsetting

• Non toxic dyes

PRODUCT- INVESTING IN QUALITY

• High Quality

• Made to last

• Made to avoid washing as much or needing to be dry cleaned (Did you know that ⅔ of the environmental impact of a piece of clothing is created at the consumer phase? )

• Eco-friendly packaging

PROGRESS- COMMITTING TO DO BETTER

• Nobody and no brand is perfect but the brands that are making an effort are talking about it! Maybe they aren’t doing something today but have an active goal to improve, that’s the kind of progress we are talking about!