The cost of shopping sustainably
Hi there!
As this is my third blog post, I think it's appropriate that I get a little more personal. I'm currently moving into a new place, and the task of shopping for new furniture and essentials has been daunting. As a mindful shopper and earth lover, I try my best to shop second-hand or from companies that are environmentally and ethically responsible. Over the past month, I have browsed many awesome sustainable companies that I simply cannot afford. This brings me to one of the central qualms I have with environmentally conscious shopping: financial accessibility.
As a college student earning less than $400 a month doing freelance work, you can imagine my frustration when browsing sustainable bed frames that range from $300 to $2,000. While I understand that eco-friendly production methods and ethical labor practices increase costs-- does that mean I should pay several hundred dollars for a bedframe made of cardboard? Or I could take my $50 to Amazon with delivery in 2-3 business days...
When financial barriers exist, individuals like myself struggle to access goods that align with our values. As the creator of a sustainable clothing brand, this is constant concern for me; how to cultivate ethically made products that are affordable to all. This dilemma deepens when considering that producing clothing sustainably often involves higher costs—ethical labor, eco-friendly materials, and small-scale production all contribute to the final price. So what can be done to change this fate? Issues of accessibility and intersectionality lay at the root of the solution.
The sustainable fashion market has long been criticized for catering primarily to privileged communities, overlooking the diverse needs and perspectives of marginalized peoples. Consider an ISPOS study that found that roughly 14-18 percent of the population are actively engaged in taking action to live more sustainable lives, all having high incomes, education, time and money to spend on adapting their lifestyle. This results in marketing from sustainable companies that are focused on reaching these often white communities with access to time and money. To cultivate a global community of conscious consumers it's crucial to acknowledge barriers, such as limited access to second-hand stores, lack of representation in sustainable marketing, and the extra time and effort required to find ethical options. Related to this conversation is the role of intersectionality: the fact the intersection of race, class, and geography can significantly impact one's ability to shop sustainably. This results in communities of color and low-income neighborhoods facing even more barriers to buying ethical goods.
Like one Medium article says, "the exclusivity of sustainable clothing brands only allows a select group of people to practice environmental consciousness, while the rest are forced, by multiple factors, to contribute to unethical fast fashion and perpetuate environmental and social injustices." I ask again: what can be done?
With LOOKS, I'm working to address these issues by offering affordable custom pieces, using second-hand materials, and promoting a culture of inclusivity. This includes efforts to market to audiences that look like me and portraying faces of color in my original art designs. I understand that this journey is ongoing and complex; it's not just about making sustainable products affordable but also making them available and appealing to a wider audience.
This is both a personal and professional dilemma that I face, but I am committed to finding solutions. Whether that involves educating others about the importance of ethical consumption or finding innovative ways to reduce costs without sacrificing values, I am intent on making a difference. In the meantime, I strongly believe this is an issue worth pondering: it relates to our impact on this Earth and her people, which will always be my central concern.
As we navigate this together, I encourage you to reflect on your own experiences of shopping and ethical considerations you make. How can we contribute to a healthier, more mindful world?
Thanks for tuning in,
XOXO Lexi Lee