The Black Friday madness is nearly upon us.
And just like that, another holiday season has arrived all too soon. Black Friday, long synonymous with chaotic, endless lines and occasionally violent scuffles as shoppers vie for deals. It’s a spectacle that’s at odds with the kind of actions the world needs now. Does it have to be this way? Is it possible to navigate the biggest shopping weekend of the year responsibly? Perhaps.
Why Black Friday is an environmental nightmare
The holiday season can be expensive, there is no doubt. In fact, research suggested that the average American consumer expected to spend roughly $870 on Christmas gifts. See, expensive.
That’s why many people choose to take advantage of Black Friday, which falls the day after Thanksgiving — and now bleeds right into Cyber Monday —and sees stores across the country (and all over the world) offer discounted prices on all kinds of products, from electronics and toys to clothing, beauty products, food, and alcohol.
The Black Friday rush can be intense, it can be wasteful, and it can be pollutive. In fact, according to one study, this year’s Black Friday is expected to produce more than 500,000 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions from product deliveries.
In 2019, Greenpeace campaigner Viola Wohglemuth told Euronews that the problem is the environmental impact of the production, transport, and waste created by these products. “The value of the product and the resources used to make it gets totally lost in that whole idea,” she said. “The whole online business model creates more delivery and packages, causing a huge impact on the climate.”
Unfortunately, research also suggests that most of the products bought on Black Friday are wasted. In one study, researchers found that up to 80 percent of the items purchased through Black Friday sales were thrown away after a few uses.
Early preparation might be key to a more sustainable Black Friday
One reason why waste is higher around Black Friday is that gifts are bought in a rush. The day is notoriously frantic and chaotic, with consumers competing and scrambling to get the best deals. It’s easy to get caught up in the rush. “Does your cousin really need those SKIMS?” “Doesn’t matter, it’s a steal.”
But if you’re set on making the most of the deals, there is a way you can make things easier for yourself and a little easier for the planet, too: preparation. When you know which brands are having sales on which products in advance, you can plan ahead, find out what is needed or wanted, and take the time to think: “Actually, she owns that cotton bodysuit in two colors already.”
This reduces the chance of gifts going in the trash. But preparing in advance also helps you stay organized and consolidate your orders, which is important for reducing the shipping impact around the holidays. “Consolidation is what drives better efficiency,” Miguel Jaller, co-director of the Sustainable Freight Research Center at UC Davis’ Institute of Transportation Studies, told UC Davis Magazine in 2021. “That’s why public transit is better than everybody using their own cars — you are consolidating a lot of trips in one train or bus. The more packages you can consolidate in one vehicle, the [fewer] resources you’re using.”
If you can head to an in-person Black Friday sale for your gifts, that’s even better. And even better than that? Shopping from a local business. This reduces shipping emissions and helps to support your local economy, too. Plus, you can also find out more details about sourcing and materials, so you can ensure you’re buying items that are in line with your values (and the gift recipient’s values, too!).
Because what’s better than another SKIMS bodysuit? A locally-made handwoven scarf, perhaps. Or maybe some ethical jewelry from a sustainable brand. And, whenever possible, thrifting is also an important consideration.
And if you really want to shop SKIMS (or any other major brand) this holiday season, get to grips with their offering now and figure out your gift selection, so that you can be as prepared as possible when Black Friday comes around. We hate to say it, but the holidays really are just around the corner.
Related on Ethos:
