6 Tips for a Green Black Friday
I know. I know. A Green Black Friday seems like an oxymoron, but it doesn’t have to be.
I used to love Black Friday shopping. I’d use the opportunity to grab the few sweaters and items I needed for the year at a discounted price. Frugal is my middle name. A good example is, we had family photos taken in January of this year and I waited 10 months until the holiday season to order canvas prints for our walls–just for the deep discount.
Back to Black Friday, when I was much younger (and without kids), I liked to wake up early and join the crowds with my mom, aunts or cousins. It was our yearly tradition.
Now, I understand that the excess consumerism that Black Friday represents seems like the opposite of being an environmentalist. But like most things, in moderation, by making better choices it can be a little gentler on the planet.
So, here are my 6 tips for a Green Black Friday
- Opt outside
- Make a list
- Bring your bags
- Shop with friends and family
- Shop local
- Purchase items that last
Opt Outside
The greenest Black Friday is one where you opt-out. There’s a growing number of people who skip the Black Friday madness and choose to spend the day outdoors. The #OptOutside movement started in 2015 when REI closed its shops on Black Friday and encouraged people to be outside.
Go on a hike or bike ride to work off that Thanksgiving meal. Or maybe start a tradition with your friends to have a day-after Thanksgiving kickball tournament or “Friendsgiving Olympics”. Whatever gets you outside and hanging out with those you love.
Make a List
If you choose to go shopping on Black Friday, make a list of the items you are searching for. Don’t go shopping just to shop–this is the opposite of eco-friendly. Just like at the grocery store, if you don’t go prepared with a list, you’ll end up buying a bunch of things you don’t need. This creates waste.
Some things you might need are seasonal clothing, electronics to replace broken ones that can’t be repaired, or potential Christmas gifts.
Finally, stick to your list. Don’t get distracted by the big screen TV that’s 40% off. Do you need another TV? If the answer is “yes”, then go for it? If the answer is “no”, don’t let the good deal sway you into buying things you don’t need.
Bring Your Bags
Since you’re making a list, don’t forget to make a note to bring your reusable shopping bags.
Plastic bags are oftentimes unintentionally litter because they are light and can be blown away. They end up clogging sewer pipes and landfill machinery. Worst of all, if plastic bags end up in the ocean, turtles mistaken them for jelly fish and eat them.
While plastic bags can be recycled, they rarely are because it’s not profitable to recycle plastic film. Read more at “Recycling is Not the Answer“.
Shop with Friends and Family
Shop with friends/family and drive together. By carpooling you’ll save on gas and emission and you’ll only have to find one parking spot! I’ve seen fights break out over Black Friday parking. Make it easier on yourself by carpooling and going early.
Also, this is the season to gather with those you love. Before we had kids, my best friend and I would stroll the high-end shops at South Coast Plaza and just chat about life. We went to the mall with a clear intent on buying a specific item and then spent the rest of the time just chatting, walking, laughing at some of the ridiculous fashion trends, window shopping and giggling while imaging our husbands in velvet track suits showcased on the mannequins.
My point is togetherness doesn’t have to fit a certain mold. If you can spend some quality time with your friends and family while checking an item off your to-do list, that’s an extra bonus.
Shop Local
With the infinite amount of inventory Amazon can store, it’s hard for brick and mortar shops to compete. Even though there is Small Business Saturday, try shopping at local malls that have a mix of local shops and regular chains.
In Walnut Creek, CA near where I live, there’s a large mall right off their main street, so it has a great combination of local shops and bigger chain stores. In many downtown areas you can find a local toy shop. Oftentimes these stores will have higher quality toys that are made of wood and metal instead of cheap plastic. Which brings me to my last tip…
Purchase Items That Last
Like most things, consumerism itself isn’t an issue. We need a certain amount of items to live comfortably. It is over-consumerism and the constant churn of cheap products which harms our planet.
So, skip the fast fashion, cheap electronics, and plastic toys. Choose items that are built to last. Avoid purchasing bags full of cheaply made products that maybe you only picked up because you saw a sale sign. Stick to your list, and choose well-made products.
Like I mentioned at the beginning, I used Black Friday to get large discounts on quality items that I needed. If you’ve been eyeing that Le Creuset Dutch Oven for months, by all means, use Black Friday to buy it on sale.
I bought mine at a fraction of the normal cost at an outlet nearly 10 years ago and it’s still going strong. I use it to cook nearly every meal and it eliminates the need of having multiple pots because it can go in the oven or on the stove-top. Built to last and multi-function!
Bonus tip: purchase items that are built to last and serve multiple functions. It saves you from having to buy several items, saves you money, and reduces clutter in your house! Win, win, win!
Finally, I mentioned Small Business Saturday but don’t forget Giving Tuesday! This is a great day to support organizations who help protect our planet from plastic and other threats.
Organizations like the Surfrider Foundation which works to protect our ocean, waves and beaches, can only do the amazing work they do because of the generosity of those who give.
What do you think? Are you going to #OptOutside for Black Friday? Or brave the crowds to find that perfect winter jacket and maybe start Christmas shopping? Either way, tell me how you plan to make Black Friday a little more green in the comments!
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