On 26th November, Black Friday returns, and retailers around the country are gearing up to drop prices and offer limited-time one-day-only offers. Since the UK embraced the American discount event in recent years, we’ve grown accustomed to watching shoppers struggle for reduced electrics and other half-priced goods.
Many people have criticised Black Friday for encouraging excessive spending. As a result, environmentalists promote a greener option — but what exactly is Green Friday, and how can customers participate?
Green Friday (also known as the ‘anti-Black-Friday movement’) began as a way to raise awareness about the harmful effects of our society’s purchasing habits. Although it’s unknown who initiated the campaign, it’s also known as “Buy Nothing Day.”
Why Green Friday?
Green Friday encourages shoppers to avoid the crowds and instead shop for sustainable businesses or not shop at all. While those huge red 50% off sale tags can be difficult to ignore, research shows that most customers buy more than they need (or even desire) on any given day.
Resisting a nice Black Friday discount isn’t as simple as putting your foot on the brake for the savvy deal-hunters among us. Take time to consider whether or not you actually need that item and why. If you absolutely must buy something, shop small because this is the simplest method to lessen our carbon footprint while also supporting small businesses. Due to the pandemic, small businesses require more customer support than ever before, so Black Friday feels like a great place to start.
Another reason to support Green Week is the fact that Black Friday deals aren’t all they say they are. According to Which’s 2020 research into Black Friday offers, 98% of the reductions offered the year before – including promotions on major electronics, home, and personal care products – were available for the same price or less six months later. While you might expect some prices to drop over time, they discovered that 85% of the items were the same price or cheaper in the six months leading up to Black Friday. In fact, on Black Friday, only three of the 119 products tracked – or 1% – were at their lowest price.
7 Ways To Boycott Black Friday
1. Do Something For Charity
Many of us have intentions, ideas, and even entire projects that we keep meaning to commit to. Giving time to something outside of yourself is the best remedy for winter blues, whether it’s volunteering somewhere, gathering supplies for a local food bank, or sharing your expertise with someone. We advocate doing something physical for the best overall results — donating money is nice, but the gratification is fleeting.
2. Pick An Act Of Kindness
It doesn’t have to be anything huge or time-consuming: simply smiling at a stranger can make a huge difference for both parties. However, if you have big ambitions to help someone else in your life, there’s no better moment than now.
3. Clean Up the Environment
Choose a spot where you and your family can clean up together. Litter accumulates in local nature preserves and national; parks, as well as on beaches and lakes and along roadsides. However, check with park or city officials to see if picking up litter requires permission or a permit. Bring rubbish bags, protective gloves, and plenty of brightly coloured safety vests for everyone so motorists can see you if you’re working alongside a road.
4. Get Crafty
Have you always wanted to learn to paint, cook a new dish, play an instrument, or master a skill you’ve long admired? Go check it out! Perhaps you have a fantastic project, invention, innovation, or brilliant idea. Humans are very exceptional in our ability to build something entirely new from nothing. So take a break from your daily routine, find a quiet place to relax, and maybe a blank sheet of paper – and see what exciting new ideas you can come up with.
5. Organise A Clothes Swap
If you’re in the market for new garments but don’t want to spend money that you don’t have on them to further fuel fast fashion?
Skip the Black Friday buys and organise a clothing swap with your friends instead — it’ll be better for the earth and your wallet. You also get to spend more quality time with people you enjoy. Set a date and time, tell people to bring a bag of unwanted clothing, and then sit back and enjoy the rummage.
6. Clear Out Your Cupboards
Rather than adding to your stuff, collect items you don’t use and sell or give away. Donate them to a charity, like Oxfam, by putting them in bags or cartons. You’ll not only have a clean home, but you’ll also be helping others in need.
7. Buy Right
Buying tat is never a good idea, and you should avoid it at all costs. However, a few things you could try to find a good deal on this week are actually better for the environment. If you buy coffee every day on your way to work, for example, invest in a reusable cup to limit the amount of waste you produce. Alternatively, if you frequently use single-use cutlery, consider investing in a bamboo set.
Download the GoEthical App for a more ethical future
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