Be an Ethical Shopper

Take on an issue each month - find resources, take action! (... more at Be Inspired)

> scroll over tile for action points, and click for more
January

BUY USED OR REPAIR


Give a second life,
save money, reduce waste

This month, avoid buying new

Look for clothing at your local op shop. Explore online buying sites such as Gumtree & eBay.

Have items repaired to extend its life of what you already have.

Learn a new repair skill yourself.


February

BUY LOCAL


Reduce kms, save energy,
lower carbon footprint

This month, buy local

Inventory your pantry and wardrobe. What items are imported? Ask your retailer where their produce comes from.

Choose local and seasonal. Visit a farmers’ market in your area.


March

REDUCE WASTE


Minimise, live lightly,
save resources

This month, reduce waste

Minimising packaging. Recycle what you can’t avoid.

Buy in bulk. Bring your own reusable shopping bags and containers.

Visit a local food coop.


April

CLEAN WITHOUT CHEMICALS


Avoid toxics, go biodegradable,
stay healthy

This month, clean without chemicals

Look for biodegradable, non -toxic household cleaning products.

Try home-mixed cleaners made from baking soda, or lemon & vinegar. Used with a little elbow grease.


May

CHOOSE SLAVE-FREE


Go certified, non-exploitative,
coffee, chocolate, clothing

This month, choose slave-free

Look for chocolate and coffee products that are UTZ, Rainforest Alliance and Fairtrade certified.

Look for clothing that is Fairwear or ECA accredited.


June

CHOOSE AUSTRALIAN OWNED


Keep jobs, skills,
dollars & decisions in Oz

This month, choose Australian-owned

Support Oz owned companies to help keep jobs, skills, profits and decisions in Australia.

Australian-owned companies are more likely to invest infrastructure dollars in local economies & support local communities.

July

CHOOSE FREE RANGE


For happy, roaming
chickens & pigs

This month, choose real free-range

Look for free range eggs with a credible certification (RSPCA, ACO, Humane Choice, FREPA), and stocking density of less than 1500 hens per hectare.

Better still, support your local egg farmers directly.

August

EAT LESS MEAT


Compassion, pollution,
habitat, health

This month, eat less meat

One of the most effective things you can do to reduce your environmental impact is to reduce your meat and dairy consumption or, even better, commit to a vegetarian or vegan diet.



September

GO ORGANIC


Soil care with less chemicals,
pesticides & fertilisers

This month, go organic

Choose produce that is certified organic or biodynamic (ACO, NASSA, DEMETER).

Choose fruits and vegies that are low in pesticide use when organic isn’t available.


October

CHOOSE RECYCLED PAPER


Second life,
save energy, water & trees

This month, choose recycled paper

Look for toilet paper & tissue made from 100% post-consumer waste recycled paper.

Choosing recycled paper products saves water, energy & trees, and creates a market for waste paper.


November

CHOOSE CRUELTY FREE


No animal testing
for cosmetics & cleaning

This month, choose cruelty free

Look for body care & cosmetic products that have not been tested on animals.

Testing rests on the contradiction ‘because animals are like us’ testing is useful, yet ‘because they are not like us’ it is morally okay.

December

CHOOSE INDEPENDENT RETAIL


Support the
local economy & community

This month, support independent retailers

Shop at supermarkets such as IGA and Foodworks over Coles and Woolworths.

Find out about the farmers’ markets, food co-ops and small grocers that operate in your area.

Adapted from the centrespread of the 2016 Shop Ethical! pocket guide. Uses responsive template by Creative Tim, made with for a better web. Works on Google Chrome and Firefox. May work on other browsers. Does some funny things on some tablets. See how you go! More at Shop Ethical! Issues.