How to Have a Sustainable Black Friday
Black Friday is one of the most anticipated shopping days of the year, offering deep discounts that tempt shoppers into buying more than they need. While the deals can be exciting, this retail holiday has significant environmental and social consequences. From mountains of packaging waste to the overproduction of fast fashion, the traditional Black Friday model fuels a cycle of overconsumption.
As consumers grow more eco-conscious, there’s a growing interest in sustainable Black Friday practices. By rethinking how we approach this day, we can reduce waste, support ethical businesses, and make choices that reflect our values. In this guide, we’ll explore five impactful ways to have a sustainable Black Friday: thrifting, embracing handmade gifts, shopping local, giving the gift of time, and supporting ethical brands. But first, let’s dive into Black Friday’s origins to better understand its significance.
A Brief History of Black Friday
Black Friday’s origins date back to the mid-20th century in the United States. Initially, the term was used by police in Philadelphia in the 1960s to describe the chaotic crowds and traffic that followed Thanksgiving Day as shoppers flooded the streets for pre-holiday sales. While the name wasn’t flattering, retailers saw an opportunity to capitalize on the shopping frenzy and began associating Black Friday with profit instead of pandemonium.
By the 1980s, the term evolved into a positive reference, with many businesses marketing the day as the start of the holiday shopping season. Retailers emphasized that Black Friday was when they moved "into the black," meaning they turned a profit for the year. This marketing strategy cemented Black Friday as a cultural phenomenon, attracting millions of shoppers eager for steep discounts.
Over time, the event grew into a global shopping tradition, especially with the rise of e-commerce. Online sales and promotions, often extending to Cyber Monday, further fueled the consumerism associated with Black Friday. However, this cultural shift has come with consequences. The heavy focus on consumption contributes to environmental degradation, unethical labour practices, and a throwaway culture that prioritizes quantity over quality.
Understanding Black Friday’s roots helps us see how its purpose has shifted—and why we need to rethink how we participate in it. By adopting sustainable practices, we can transform the day from one of excess to one of intentionality.
Thrifting for Sustainable Finds
Thrifting is a fantastic way to save money and reduce your environmental footprint. When you buy secondhand, you’re extending the lifespan of items and reducing the demand for new production. The result? Less waste, fewer resources used, and a smaller carbon footprint.
Environmental Benefits of Thrifting
Waste reduction: Thrifting diverts clothing, furniture, and other goods from landfills, where they would otherwise take years to decompose.
Resource conservation: Producing new items requires significant water, energy, and raw materials. Buying secondhand eliminates this need.
Lower emissions: Fewer new items mean less pollution from manufacturing and transportation.
Where to Thrift
Local thrift stores: Shops like Goodwill or Salvation Army often have a diverse selection of clothing, furniture, and household items. These stores also often have seasonal sales, which makes it a perfect opportunity for Black Friday.
Online platforms: Websites like Poshmark, ThredUp, and Depop make it easy to find secondhand treasures from the comfort of your home.
Vintage shops: For one-of-a-kind finds, explore local vintage boutiques or upscale consignment stores that carry designer goods.
Social Media: Some social media sites (like Facebook) have location-specific groups or threads where you can find items for free or cheap that people are trying to rehome.
Tips for Thrifting on Black Friday
Go early: The best items go fast, so start your search early in the season.
Focus on quality: Look for items made from durable materials like wool, leather, or hardwood.
Plan ahead: Make a list of what you’re looking for to avoid impulse purchases.
Look for seasonal treasures: Many thrift stores offer holiday-themed items that are both affordable and unique, making them perfect for seasonal decor or gift-giving.
Additional Suggestions: If you're looking for clothing, focus on vintage or high-quality fabrics that have stood the test of time. For home decor, consider purchasing items that can be easily upcycled or refurbished to give them a new life. Thrift stores often carry furniture that needs a little TLC, making it a great opportunity to create custom pieces for your home.
Thrifting not only supports sustainability but also offers the thrill of finding unique, high-quality items at a fraction of their original price. Whether you’re on the hunt for a vintage coat, holiday decor, or unique gift ideas, thrifting offers an eco-friendly alternative to the traditional Black Friday madness.
Embracing Handmade and DIY Gifts
Handmade gifts offer a unique, heartfelt alternative to mass-produced items. They’re often more sustainable and personal, making them a meaningful choice for loved ones.
Why Choose Handmade?
Lower carbon footprint: Handmade goods often use fewer resources and less energy than factory-made items.
Support for artisans: Purchasing handmade items helps small businesses and independent creators thrive.
Unique gifts: Handmade items are often one-of-a-kind, adding a special touch to your holiday giving.
Where to Find Handmade Gifts
Online marketplaces: Platforms like Etsy showcase artisans from around the world, offering everything from jewelry to home decor. This is a perfect option for finding personalized or bespoke gifts.
Local craft fairs: Holiday markets are a great place to find handmade goods while supporting your community. Many artisans only sell their products in-person, which makes these markets especially valuable during the holiday season.
Direct from makers: Many artisans sell directly through their websites or social media channels. If you’re familiar with local creators, consider purchasing directly from them to support their business.
DIY Gift Ideas
Baked goods: Whip up a batch of cookies, bread, or homemade granola for a thoughtful, edible gift.
Custom candles: Use soy wax and essential oils to create personalized candles with your loved one's favourite scents.
Knitted or sewn items: Scarves, tote bags, or potholders are practical, heartfelt options. You can even try making upcycled fabric gifts from old clothes.
Scrapbooks and photo albums: Gather memories into a custom-designed book with notes, photos, and mementos.
Homemade skincare: Consider making body scrubs, lotions, or lip balms using natural ingredients like coconut oil, sugar, or essential oils.
Eco-friendly wrapping
To make your DIY gifts even more sustainable, consider using reusable wrapping options, such as fabric wraps (Furoshiki), or recycled paper. This not only reduces waste but adds an extra layer of care to your gift presentation.
Whether you’re making gifts yourself or supporting local artisans, handmade items carry a sense of care and individuality that store-bought items can’t match. The personal touch of a handmade gift often makes it more meaningful, and the sustainability factor adds another layer of value.
Shopping Local: Support Small Businesses and Reduce Waste
Local businesses are the backbone of communities, offering unique goods and services you won’t find at big-box stores. Shopping local on Black Friday is an excellent way to support your community while reducing environmental impact.
The Benefits of Shopping Local
Reduced transportation emissions: Locally sourced products don’t require long shipping routes, reducing their carbon footprint.
Economic support: Spending money locally keeps it circulating within your community, boosting local economies.
Unique offerings: Independent retailers often carry handcrafted or regionally inspired items that make for special gifts.
Where to Shop Local
Farmers’ markets: Many markets expand their offerings during the holidays to include artisanal goods. Farmers’ markets are great for finding local food gifts, handmade crafts, and seasonal produce.
Boutiques and gift shops: Independent stores often stock carefully curated, high-quality products, making them a great option for unique gifts.
Pop-up markets: Seasonal markets feature local makers and artisans, perfect for holiday shopping. These events are a fantastic way to find local treasures and reduce your carbon footprint by supporting small businesses.
Local coffee roasters and makers: Many independent coffee shops or local food producers offer curated gift baskets with their signature products, perfect for gifting to foodies.
Shopping local ensures your money supports your community while helping to build a sustainable holiday season. Many local businesses offer one-of-a-kind products that can make the perfect gift, and they often rely on loyal customers to stay afloat during the busy holiday season.
The Gift of Time and Experiences
Not all gifts need to be tangible. Experience-based presents are a fantastic way to create lasting memories while minimizing waste.
Why Experiences Make Great Gifts
No waste: Experiences don’t require packaging, shipping, or storage space.
Memories over materials: Shared activities foster deeper connections and often leave a lasting impression.
Examples of Experience Gifts
Workshops or classes: Enrol someone in a cooking, pottery, or dance class. Many local businesses offer holiday-themed workshops, such as wreath-making or cooking classes focused on seasonal dishes.
Event tickets: Concerts, theatre shows, and sports events make for unforgettable gifts. Consider offering tickets to an art exhibit or a local festival.
Outdoor adventures: Plan a hike, camping trip, or stargazing outing. Experiences in nature, like a guided kayaking tour or a botanical garden walk, provide unique memories.
Gift certificates: Consider a voucher for a local restaurant, spa, or boutique, giving the gift of time and a new experience without adding to material waste.
Focusing on experiences helps create meaningful connections while embracing zero-waste gifting. Plus, it’s a great way to support local businesses, as many of these experiences are provided by small, independent operators.
Ethical Brands with Sustainable Practices
For new purchases, supporting ethical brands ensures your money contributes to positive social and environmental impact.
What Makes a Brand Ethical?
Fair labour practices: Ethical brands prioritize worker safety and fair wages.
Sustainable materials: Look for organic, recycled, or biodegradable materials.
Transparency: Ethical brands often share their production processes and sustainability goals with consumers, so you can make informed choices.
Examples of Ethical Brands
Patagonia: Known for its commitment to environmental sustainability, fair labour practices, and high-quality products, Patagonia is a great choice for ethical shopping.
Ten Tree: This brand plants 10 trees for every item sold, helping to offset its carbon footprint.
Everlane: Everlane is dedicated to radical transparency, offering customers detailed information about how and where their products are made.
Allbirds: Allbirds makes shoes and clothing from sustainable materials like merino wool and eucalyptus trees. Their products are also designed to be long-lasting, reducing the need for frequent replacements.
By choosing ethical brands, you can invest in high-quality items while supporting fair and sustainable practices. Look for brands that offer warranties, as products built to last help reduce waste and save money in the long term.