9 Ways You Can Be a More Mindful Shopper

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You can start small by making swaps and bringing your own stuff when you're shopping. "As a shopper, you have the power to be sustainable simply in your own approach, and this goes beyond just grocery shopping!" says Olivia Dahan, co-founder of the eco-friendly lifestyle company Bold Box. "Bring your own bag, and if you're purchasing a beauty product, be mindful that you don't need it wrapped in tissue paper just to take the product home."

Ashlee Piper, a sustainability expert and the author of Give a Sh*t: Do Good. Live Better. Save the Planet., adds that you can also bring food bags for produce and glass bottles and jars for bulk items at grocery stores that let you bring your own, like Whole Foods.

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"Brick-and-mortar stores can actually be more sustainable sometimes than buying online because you can more easily buy locally and, in some cases, reduce your need for packaging (whereas ordering online is full of that)," says Piper.

This is something I'm going to try to work on. Obviously, right now it's best to stay at home, but when we get the clear to leave our homes, I'm going to be more mindful of doing this instead of relying on delivery.

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"Try to buy products that are sustainably packaged or can easily be recycled," says Kira Cahill, the other co-founder of Bold Box. She also adds that you should try to avoid buying food that's in plastic bags or packaging (like pasta in a paper box versus in a plastic bag).

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If a store offers emailed receipts, Piper suggests asking for this option. I used to feel overwhelmed by the very long receipts I would get at CVS, but then I found out you can sign up to get them emailed to you. If you have the CVS app, go to the Account section, and then click on Digital Receipt Preferences, where you can opt to get email receipts. It's really a game changer.

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It helps to regularly inspect your closet. "I first and always recommend working with what you have," Piper says. "Take stock of your wardrobe, mend what needs to be mended, and make note of the items you actually need."

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You can find some great and unique clothing and furniture items when you buy secondhand. "Think secondhand first," Piper recommends. "It's always the most sustainable option. So from thrift and consignment stores to Poshmark and ThredUp to clothing swaps with your friends, use secondhand as your first port of call when looking to supplement items in your closet."

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Some fabrics are more sustainable than others. "We love bamboo, and if you're going to buy cotton, make sure it's organic," Cahill says. "Please avoid polyester and spandex. These fabrics, when washed, release microplastics that are then flushed into the ocean and waterways."

Piper suggests opting for organic, biodegradable materials like untreated, pesticide-free cotton, linen, hemp, bamboo, and raffia. "If you must go synthetic, options like rayon, viscose, modal, and lyocell/Tencel are gentler options," she adds. "You can't beat utilizing materials already in existence, so [look for] garments boasting words like repurposed, recycled, refashioned, reclaimed, upcycled, etc. Opt for items made with vegetable or azo-free dyes and adhesives."

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Dahan suggests purchasing home goods (especially kitchen tools) made of bamboo, stainless steel, or reusable silicone instead of single-use plastics. Piper also adds glass, organic cotton, linen upholstery, recycled plastics, and reclaimed materials to the sustainable-materials list.

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It's important to stay informed and continue to educate yourself. Cahill, Dahan, and Piper all recommend looking to social media, eco-bloggers, and influencers, in particular, for ideas.

When looking at brands, Cahill suggests checking the company's website or the label of the product itself for green certifications. "In particular, look for Energy Star (for energy efficiency), USDA Organic Seal (for organic products), Forest Stewardship Council (for products made from trees in responsibly managed forests), and Green Seal (for general sustainability)," she says. "You have to look out for greenwashing. Greenwashing can make a company appear to be more environmentally friendly than it really is."

Piper says other certifications to look for are Greengard (for minimizing toxic materials in furnishings), Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturers Association (BIFMA) (for ensuring manufacturing processes positively impact the environment and human health), and Global Organic Textile/Latex Standards (GOTS and GOLS) (the gold standard of soft materials, which certifies an item is made of at least 95% organic materials).