November 29th is Black Friday – the official start of the holiday shopping season known for deals, deals and more deals. (Put up your hand if you’ve lined up at 6 a.m. for a great sale. Same here.)
But if Black Friday is all about consumption and spending, Green Friday (also November 29th) encourages shoppers to reconsider their purchases and start buying more responsibly, sustainably, locally, ethically and mindfully.
Green Friday started in 2015, but it was influenced by Canada’s “Buy Nothing Day,” which dates to 1992. An educational initiative meant to promote mindful shopping – or literally taking a day to not buy anything at all – turned into a movement that reminds us that there’s an environmental cost to overbuying. While Black Friday has its benefits (none of us are immune to the tough economy, and sales can certainly help families), there are underlying issues putting a strain on our
planet that can’t be ignored: This is a day that discourages widespread overconsumption, waste (all that non-biodegradable packaging fills up landfills, as do the impulse purchases we end up not wanting or needing), increased carbon emissions, overconsumption of energy and unsustainable shopping practices, to name just a few. Green Friday raises awareness amid the environmental crisis we’re in and reminds us to consider our purchases and the effects they have on our world.
– Lisa van de Geyn
If you want to Purchase Harrowsmith during the Black Friday sale go to: HarrowsmithMag.com/blackfriday
