How to do Black Friday 2020: Sustainable Edition

As people trying to live a more sustainable lifestyle, many of us have had to shift the items we shop for, the stores we shop at, and let go of convenience to make room for Earth to breathe. Which is amazing! But this does not mean there are people who won’t shop. The National Retail Federation says that for Black Friday 2020, 164 million people will shop from today until Cyber Monday. This means tons of products will still be bought, used, and eventually discarded.

A popular item purchased this weekend is usually electronics, which also hold title to the fastest growing waste stream as of now. Toys are a second offender. The plastic toys come with layers of packaging that further deter the condition of our planet by adding transportation fuel into the air and toxins into the soil. Combined with the lower costs of Black Friday and Cyber Monday 2020, customers are more motivated than ever to fill their homes with new things and simply throw out the old.

So what can we do to change this? Although people are choosing to shop, the act of shopping isn’t necessarily the bad thing here. It’s where we shop. Here are some eco-friendly Black Friday 2020 deals:

• For home decor, bedding, or clothes: Made Trade. They are having a “Give 10% or Get 10%” event! You get to choose between getting a 10% discount or giving 10% of your order to feed families in need. https://www.madetrade.com/pages/black-friday?sscid=b1k4_vw2fp&
• For cookware: Caraway. This sustainable cookware brand uses non-toxic materials for the cookware set and recyclable material for their packaging. At a $100 discount! https://www.carawayhome.com/products/cookware-sets?&sscid=b1k4_vw3ly&utm_source=shareasale&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=314743&utm_content=1545372
• For clothes and shoes: Everlane. This sustainable clothing brand is pledging to donate $1to Feeding America for every purchase made. For their first-ever Black Friday sale, indulge in a 25% off discount for products like their organic jeans. https://www.everlane.com/products/mens-athletic-fit-performance-jean-washed-black?collection=mens-holiday-deals&utm_source=pepperjam&utm_medium=2-112671&utm_campaign=120661&clickId=3374668499
• For toys: Tender Leaf Toys. Although they don’t have a specific Black Friday sale, you can get 10% off your first order! They use no plastic in their products and have been awarded for their sustainable and ethical supply chain. https://www.tenderleaftoys.com/

Of course, overall, not buying products does the planet the most good. Avoid shopping for products that you don’t need to update (like electronics). Look into your local small businesses for tomorrow, Small Business Saturday, and consider donating to charities, local shelters, and Indigenous communities for Giving Tuesday!