Top tips for becoming a more conscious consumer
When I started thinking about how I would rate home and furniture brands on their ethics and sustainability, it made me think long and hard about what we should all look for in companies before we decide whether to shop with them.
My rating system is not an exact science of course. There are so many factors at play when it comes to environmental impact, social empowerment and animal friendliness - and it is not realistic to expect companies to do it all.
Here are a few things that crossed my mind when I started to think about what makes a brand good or not so good when it comes to sustainability, social empowerment and animal friendliness that might help to guide us as we journey towards becoming a more conscious consumer.
SUSTAINABILITY
What materials does the company use to make its products and what environmental impact do those products have?
Look out for certifications, such as FSC-certified timber, fair trade, and GOTS certified organic cotton where possible, though remember that for smaller brands, certification may not be achievable (it can be expensive for producers and companies to keep up with certification requirements, but they may still follow the same rigorous approach to their production and sourcing).
Other good options include the use of recycled materials (saving them from landfill and giving them a new lease of life) or eco-friendly materials that have a smaller environmental footprint (e.g. bamboo, or flax)*.
What packaging does the company use?
My best rated brands have considered the environmental impact of their packaging too.
There’s no point in picking an eco-friendly product and then shopping it out wrapped in layers of single-use plastic and polysterene eh?
Does the company explain how it is minimising the carbon footprint of its operations?
Some brands, when they’ve really thought about their environmental impact, set themselves targets to reduce waste across their supply chain, reduce their energy use or make eco-friendly swaps for their head office (such as using recycled paper and minimise printing).
Does the company have a sustainability policy on its website?
It’s a good sign if they do as it demonstrates at least some a) awareness of the impact their company is having and b) commitment to do better.
Even better if that policy includes ambitious targets for improvement.
The best companies however, not only have a sustainability policy but they are also transparent in measuring, and reporting, their progress towards it.
SOCIAL EMPOWERMENT
Does the company know who makes its products?
How much information is there on the company website about the people behind the products? Is there information about the specific artisans or communities and how they’re paid or supported by the company?
The best brands showcase their makers and how they partner with others to deliver products that benefit everyone.
Are the makers paid well and do they have decent working conditions?
While I don’t expect companies to disclose what they’re paying their makers, it’s worth looking out for information on working conditions and commitments to fair pay. For example, does the brand support local community projects or allow workers to work flexibly or from home? Do they provide training and development, or allow workers to join unions?
The best brands pay (or are working towards paying) a living wage, and are transparent about the split between the profits made and the payments to makers.
Does the brand employ or support people who are traditionally excluded from regular employment or give back in other ways?
Some companies go out of their way to employ people who may otherwise struggle to find work, offering additional training and development to build skills and increase future employability.
Others provide financial or other support to good causes from the profits they make. If a company does this, do they set out how much from each sale goes to a charity partner and does the company report on the difference their donations are making?
ANIMAL FRIENDLINESS
Does the company use wool, leather or feathers in its products and if so, how are they sourced?
There are some certification schemes, like the Responsible Wool Standard and the Responsible Down Standard that require the humane treatment of animals, but these are often not the norm. And there is nothing right now when it comes to leather products.
As such, it can often be really hard to tell if the leather, wool or down used in products has involved animal cruelty.
Sadly, in the absence of certification or credible statements on a company’s website regarding animal welfare, the chances of unethical treatment of the animals from which the product was derived are pretty high.
If in doubt, I recommend avoiding.
For more information on the rating system I apply to the brands I review on the site, click here.
* though it is a complicated story when it comes to the eco-footprint of bamboo, flax and other materials with a lot of conflicting information out there. Much depends on how the material is processed from its raw state to the final product. I’ll post on this in due course.
