Essential questions for conscious consumers

“I don’t think there’s much point in bemoaning the state of the world unless there’s some way you can think of to improve it. Otherwise, don’t bother … go and find a tropical island and lie in the sun.“ – Peter Singer

In the previous post, I mentioned that the antidote to the socially unconscious meme is for individuals to make more difficult, but better, choices. We’ve compiled some key questions for consideration before making any purchase, be it large or small:

• Which compan(ies) are behind the product?
• What do you know about the compan(ies) behind it?
• What is their environmental record?
• How do they treat their employees?
• Where do they source the raw materials for their products?
• What toxins are in the product that will harm your body, the employees that manufacture it, and/or the environment? Was it made with processes that do irreparable damage?
• What is the overall quality of the product? How long will the product last?
• Can it be recycled or repurposed once you are done using it or it breaks?
• And most importantly — given the answers to the previous questions — will the purchase align with my personal values and how I want the world and its people to exist?

As always, thanks for reading – and thinking—with us. Feel free to contribute to the conversation by leaving your own ideas.

Until next time!