The Cycle of Online Shopping: I’m a Part of This and I Don’t Like It

Browse at 2 am. Buy. Use. Forget about it. Repeat. Most of us have been in this cycle where we impulsively buy stuff because it looks cute, nice, or is just a very good deal. You get that rush through your veins of wanting a new thing which intensifies with the surprise of fast shipping, you’re excited. But… that feeling disappears once you’re tired of what you bought, or maybe you’re disappointed because it’s not exactly what you wanted. And yet, you do it again. 

With more time spent online, we are subject to a lot of ads constantly showing off products and great deals, like those “50% off today only + free shipping”. Sometimes we fall for it, we’re only human after all and none of us is beyond temptation. But It’s important to think about where our hard-earned money is going and ask ourselves "Do I really need this?"

Since it’s so easy to shop online, it can be hard to resist. But behind every item there’s the health and welfare of another human being and a cost to the planet. I know this can seem kind of heavy but our choices have consequences. 

Sometimes we buy and support companies we don’t necessarily agree with, in terms of their social, ethical, and environmental practices. This is where we can draw the line, and choose to make a difference. 

I confront this is my home country of Peru all the time when I witness how people and resources are exploited by some industries. My own grandmother told me with sorrow how when she was fourteen and in need of a job, she began sewing clothes for a company. She was locked in a room, worked long shifts with no bathroom breaks, and wasn't allowed to speak to the other workers. There’s no doubt that cases like this and even worse still happen around the world, and that’s definitely not worth the piece of clothing that will eventually be forgotten in our closet. 

Shopping consciously is also about buying fewer things and thinking about what will last longer. I know sometimes eco-friendly and ethical brands can be out of budgets, but reducing our shopping sprees to very specific, significant, and durable purchases makes a difference. In this way, we can make not only a social change but also an environmental one. Your carbon footprint will decrease and you will be demanding better working conditions. 
Check out how much much your wardrobe costs the environment here.

This is about changing our shopping habits and being mindful of our impact as consumers. It may be hard to do this overnight, but if before clicking “Pay” we really think it through. You might find yourself exiting the website or looking for a different and better alternative for what you wanted. 

Lansdowne Market in Ottawa

Maybe this year during Black Friday, you could decide to buy something locally produced instead.
Or, you can try out an app like “Good on you” that shows you the ethical ratings of brands, and gives you more information about shopping consciously

Remember, we can decide what to support, how much we contribute to making a difference, and if we end up or not trapped in the cycle of online shopping.

~ mariana carrillo - campus sustainability communications intern