The everyday products we buy can have a big impact on our environment, health and communities. Being aware of your buying habits can help you to make more sustainable choices and deliver a better outcome for you and the planet.
Better buying habits in 5 steps
- Consider the full product lifecycle. It’s not too often we think about the raw materials that go into our everyday products, let alone the processing of those materials, or the manufacturing and distribution of the end-product. These steps in the product lifecycle, in addition to the use of the product and how we dispose of it, all have an environmental and perhaps a social impact. A smartphone, for example, is made using raw materials like nickel, lithium and rare earth elements, which require significant energy consumption to extract, ship and process. Look around your room and look up the lifecycle for a few of the items you see. Understanding the background may prompt you to make different purchase decisions next time.
- Shop ethical. Support brands that are known for their commitment to fair labour practices and social responsibility. For example, Ethical Clothing Australia provides accreditation to textile, clothing and footwear businesses that uphold the rights of Australian garment workers. There are also a number of retail and online stores where you can shop exclusively fair trade. These businesses are often focused on high-quality, durable products as well, which can lead to longer product lifespans and reduced waste.
- Avoid single-use plastics. Think plastic bottles, straws, cutlery, shopping bags and takeaway containers. These items don’t biodegrade and instead break down into micro contaminants. Opt for more eco-friendly options, particularly when you’re out and about, like BYO coffee cups and water bottles, and reusable shopping bags. Brisbane City Council has some more helpful tips to avoid single-use plastics.
- Save your energy. When shopping for new appliances, lighting or heating/cooling systems, consider options that provide the most energy efficiency. If you can, it’s sometimes worth paying extra for more efficient appliances as they will cost less to run over the long term. Look out for the appliance’s Energy Rating to help save energy and money, and reduce emissions – the more stars, the better the efficiency. You can also try out the Energy Rating Calculator to find and compare energy-efficient appliances and equipment with estimated running costs.
- Prioritise pre-loved. When it comes to clothing, furniture and other common household items, try sourcing a pre-loved product and give it a second life. Op shops and thrift stores have a treasure trove of high-quality goods and at a fraction of the price. UQ WARP-it also offers pre-loved furniture or office and lab supplies for UQ staff.
Interested in finding out more? These tips are compiled using information from the following sources: United Nations Environment Programme, Fair Planet, Brisbane City Council, Ethical Clothing Australia, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.
Understanding the problem
Buying unsustainable products can have far-reaching consequences that affect not only the environment, but also social and economic systems.
From an environmental perspective, the products we purchase can contribute to increased greenhouse gases, deforestation, pollution and the depletion of our natural resources. When it comes to the production of plastic alone, WWF Australia explains that the plastics we consume in one year produce as much greenhouse gas as 5.7 million cars on the road annually. Further, our plastic emissions are set to more than double by 2050 if we continue on this current trajectory.
Modern slavery, including forced labour and exploitation, is another significant issue that impacts global supply chains and undermines ethical labour practices across many industries, including clothing manufacturing. Globally, there is an estimated 50 million people living in modern slavery, roughly a quarter of whom are children.
The production of unsustainable products fuels these issues on a global scale and undermines efforts towards a more equitable and sustainable future.
Understanding your impact
By placing sustainability at the forefront of your purchase decisions, you can take positive steps to lower your carbon footprint, support ethical labour practices and promote fair trade.
One positive impact of rising cost-of-living pressures has been a change in our purchasing choices, according to Deloitte, with people opting to buy second hand; repair more; and even pay more, but for longer-lasting products. On the flipside, with inflation increasing, sometimes it is inevitable that we choose lower prices over sustainable options. If you find this is happening to you, perhaps try looking for second hand options first, remembering there are many different marketplace options online (always follow safe online buying practices).
The good news is that sustainable consumer choices have been on the rise since the pandemic, according to a UQ study from 2022 and a PwC Global Consumer Insights Survey. In that survey, 44% of respondents said they have become more sustainability-focused than they were before the COVID-19 pandemic. The studies also found that while sustainability has been traditionally associated with young people, the desire to lead a more sustainable life can now be seen across all generations.
Where to next?
This is part of our DIY sustainability series, created for UQ Sustainability Week and beyond. The series offers simple suggestions and fun activities for students, staff and members of the public who would like to increase sustainability-related actions in their daily lives.