What is Black Friday?
Although typically a popular holiday in the USA, it has in fact become a nationwide 'holiday' in the retail world, and if you hadn't guessed by the title, we're talking about Black Friday.
Black Friday is the day after Thanksgiving in the USA, known to be the start of Christmas shopping. Shops and online retailers often amp up their discounts. Black Friday is also rumoured to be a bit of a test of the countries economic condition as it shows what disposable income the population has.
The problem with Black Friday
It sounds perfect right? A day of discounts, what's not to love about that?
Whilst it can be a positive for many, with the current financial climate a discount is very much welcomed, sadly in turn it also encourages over-consumption, which has a negative impact on not only our bank balance but also on the planet.
According to Waste Managed, This year’s (2023) Black Friday is expected to produce 429,000 metric tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions from product deliveries alone – that’s the same as 435 return flights from London to New York.
It is also estimated that 80% of products bought at Black Friday end up in landfill, are incinerated, or are recycled poorly.
How to navigate Black Friday in a planet positive way
We know that it can be incredibly tempting, when items are heavily discounted, but remember, it is only a good deal if it's something you actually need or would add value to your life.
Here are our top tips to navigate Black Friday in a sustainable way!
- Only buy something if you actually need it (sounds simple but sometimes we need to ask ourselves the question!)
- Support sustainable brands and businesses, the ones that are eco-friendly and planet conscious all year round
- Prioritise quality over quantity, it can be easy to get sucked in by a deal, ask yourself if you need more than one, will it get used or will it sit in a cupboard?
- Shop local! Support your favourite local seller, they might not have the biggest Black Friday offer but supporting local shops reduces the carbon footprint associated with shipping and contributes to the growth of your community
And finally, shop with purpose. There is nothing wrong with utilising a good discount if there is something you need or that will add joy and value to your life, but just don't let the Black Friday buzz let you get carried away!
