400 million tons. That’s the estimate from the United Nations on how much plastic waste humanity produces annually – and about half of it is single-use.

In South Africa, the biggest drivers of waste are population growth, growing urbanisation and a lack of compliance with waste management. At the moment, we recycle or reuse only about 10% of our waste.

Considering these sobering statistics, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed – after all, what difference can you, as an individual consumer, hope to make?

However, when you – and others like you – start making informed and conscious choices, aligning your priorities and demanding greater transparency, companies will need to pay attention. That’s the power of the consumer.

Changing the game

Attitudes to shopping are already starting to change. Consumers are taking a number of factors into account: impact on the environment, impact on consumers’ health, impact on employees, and animal welfare, among others.

Speaking to The New York Times, Lorraine Whitmarsh, an environmental psychologist and professor at the University of Bath in the UK, explains that it’s good practice to strive to buy less, in general. Buy items that have a longer lifespan, and reuse what you can. Every item that’s bought with the consideration of where it came from and where it’ll end up after you’re done with it is a step in the right direction.

Tips for sustainable shopping

1. Choose products that:

    • Are produced in a way that supports the environment, with minimum harm
    • Promote fair labour practices
    • Help to reduce overall waste

An easy way to do this is to buy local, whenever possible, and to buy quality items, so they last longer. South African clothing brands such as N3YH, Good Clothing, Hannah Lavery, Me&B, and Sage & Sunday are committed to circular fashion that is inclusive, affordable and sustainable. On weekends, enjoy shopping at local farmers’ markets in your area, and buy produce that’s in season.

2. Practise mindfulness when you shop:

When it comes to food, support biodynamic farming. With a thorough understanding of the environmental implications of farming, there’s a reduced need for pesticides and a greater use of natural methods of compost ing. Bring your own bags when shopping, and take the time to confirm that the item is fit for purpose, to eliminate retail regret. Try shopping at vintage shops, antique or thrift stores, which give quality items a second chance – and you’ll pay a fraction of the price. When shopping online, try to group your purchases to reduce delivery costs and C02 emissions. When you no longer need an item, donate it instead of dumping it.

3. Rethink your monthly purchases:

For items that require regular repurchasing, such as personal-care products, opt for refills. Today, consumers also have the option of glass and aluminium containers, which can easily be recycled and are less likely to endup in a landfill. There are also bamboo toothbrushes and pill toothpastes, which generate a great deal less waste than the traditional.

4. Give your kitchen waste a second chance:

Enormous amounts of food are thrown away every year. Good sustainable practices include:

  • Taking an inventory of your fridge, freezer and pantry before heading to the store, and planning meals a week ahead, so you buy only what you need
  • Storing and labelling leftovers, and keeping your freezer organised
  • Investing in a compost bin, so your garden gets the benefit of fresh produce waste
  • Using leftover veggies, pasta or rice to make a hearty soup, and freezing it

Bottom line
As consumers, we have the power to make a difference, by choosing to shop sustainably, wherever possible. And if we’re willing to demand the necessary transparency, we can have a positive impact on deforestation, unfair labour practices, climate change, mounting pollution, and the depletion of natural resources, too.