Social Responsibility is the obligation of businesses and individuals to look after the planet, it’s people and their local and global communities.
As a mother of 2 young children myself, the importance of doing all I can to create the best possible future world weighs heavily. In a world where drastic action is needed to curb the Climate Crisis, plastic pollution and human rights violations, the enormity of the problem may feel overwhelming. However, we as individual consumers have great power if we choose to only support Socially Responsible businesses through our purchases. Knowledge is Power and giving up is not an option.
“Realise the political power of your money and spend it with the brands you know are treating their workers and the environment in the best possible way.”
Lily Cole
If we as consumers insist on buying products only from businesses who are sustainable, ethical, responsible and offering products with ingredients that are good for us, eventually big business has no choice but to listen too.
6 Tips to Choosing Socially Responsible Products:
1. Sustainable packaging:
What is a product packaged in? Is the packaging biodegradable, reusable, refillable or at least recyclable? (This includes postal packaging!) Choosing zero waste packaging is ideal – buying without packaging, in a reusable container, home compostable packaging or in bulk.
2. Buy Certified Organic where possible
Choosing Certified Organic products ensure that not only are the pesticide residues considerably lower on produce, existing natural ecosystems are protected and animals are treated humanely and with respect. Look for independent Organic certification or GOTS certification for fabric (or at least OEKO-TEX 100 to ensure the product contains no harmful chemicals.)
3. Turn against palm oil
Unfortunately, even with RSPO certified sustainable palm oil, there are no rules about continued clearing of rainforests, only high conservation value ones. Compliance is not reviewed adequately, and violations are rarely punished. Greenpeace International has declared the certification to be purely ‘Greenwash.’
Browse the Clean + Conscious Directory to find 100% palm oil free products.
4. Choose Fair Trade
We want to avoid the possibility of child labour, poor conditions and unfair wages at all costs. Look for Fair Trade or B. Corp certifications on your products.
Read more here about ‘How to Spot & Avoid Products Made By Child Labour‘.
5. Support businesses giving back to their community
We want to encourage businesses to give back. Look on their websites, read their packaging. Do they help out their communities? Do they work with or support charities?
Read about the wonderful initiatives you can support through purchasing consciously in the Clean + Conscious Directory .
6. Choose Non- GMO
Many GMO products today have been created to be grown with the pesticide Round Up. The use of Round Up is not good for the planet, the farmers or us in the consumption!
“Demand quality not just in the products you buy, but in the life of the person who made it.”
Orsola De Castro
Unsure about a product you love?
Email and ask the company! By bringing to their attention that you think Social Responsibility is important, you are actively becoming part of the drive for change.
Clean + Conscious Directory
We understand how time consuming it can be to do this research on every product you are going to buy. This is why we have created the Clean + Conscious directory, covering 80 categories ranging from Baby products to Beauty, Body, Fashion, Food & Beverage, Fitness & Zero waste.
Here, you’ll find honest information on each product’s ingredients / materials and further information on how each product is ethical, sustainable and socially responsible. You can also read the hands-on product reviews from our Expert Panel.
It’s so exciting to realise how many wonderful initiatives you can fund with your dollar when you choose to buy consciously.
“Every time you spend money, you’re casting a vote for the kind of world you want.”
Anna Lappe
