How can we remain conscious of what we are buying when there is so much choice?

 

When we go online to look for something new, it can be very easy to go for the most practical product that we see and therefore give little thought behind how it has been sourced, manufactured or even packaged.

 

Not all the products out there are manufactured, sourced or even packaged ethically or sustainably; but knowing how to look out for sustainable brands has now never been easier.

What makes a product sustainable?

 

For a product to be considered sustainable it has to follow a particular process that starts right at the beginning; with its ingredients and raw materials, and how they are sourced.

 

The ingredients for products can be sourced in a variety of ways that would be classified as a sustainable process. The biggest and most popular being the upcycling of used materials and ingredients that can be repurposed into new and safe products.

 

For example, a popular ingredient in upcycled skincare is coffee grounds due to their versatile nature and ability to be recycled into something new to limit unnecessary waste. A product that is made up of ingredients that have been upcycled or can be recycled is a much more sustainable and waste-free alternative.

 

Another sustainable method of procuring ingredients is to use as many natural and organic ingredients as possible. If products are made up of organic, natural, biodegradable and recyclable ingredients then they will be much more sustainable for the planet.

 

Sustainability is also about how to put back in the World if something has been taken to fill a purpose; which is why a lot of Sustainable brands and eco-friendly companies are involved with Green initiatives.

 

Planting trees, growing their own herbs & botanicals, recycling waste and finding an alternative to plastic are all examples of ways a Sustainable company continues to ‘give back to the planet.

 

 

 

Certifications and ethical standards

 

For a product to be Sustainable, it does not necessarily need to be Vegan, but it should be verified as Cruelty-free. This is to ensure that no animals are being harmed at any stage of the production, manufacturing or distribution process of new products.

 

If a product has any animal-derived ingredients, like milk or honey, then they will not be allowed to be classed as Vegan but they can still be Cruelty-free.

Wih the increased demand for planet friendly options there are now increasing sustainable alternatives to animal-derived ingredients like plant-based milk.

 

So long as the ingredients have been sourced without causing any harm to the animals then they can go through the process of getting a regulated certification. Companies can decide to go through a PETA or similar regulated process that helps them gain important certifications like Cruelty-free, Vegan, Organic, Natural and Sourced Ethically awards.

Again, ethical certifications are just one part of the process that allows a brand or product to be verified as sustainable.

 

 

Limiting unnecessary waste

 

Plastic packaging, wrappers and containers can never truly decompose or break down so when companies are only offering products that are wrapped and packaged in this way only adds to the problem. Single use plastic the worst offender.

 

It can be difficult for a company to remove the use of plastic completely at all stages of their product, manufacturing or delivery process but there are many viable swaps that more Sustainable brands have been able to implement.

 

Recyclable materials and packaging are the most popular method of packaging and shipping products. Recycled cardboard, upcycled glass containers, wax wraps, biodegradable packaging peanuts and recycled cardboard shred; are all less harmful alternatives to using plastic.

 

A sustainable brand does not mean they are ‘perfect’ or that brands not yet sustainable are ‘bad’. It is all about learning, taking the responsibility and moving forward to implement new methods that are more sustainable for the planet.