It's that time of year again - Black Friday and Cyber Monday, the shopping days that seem to spark equal parts excitement and dread. While the discounts are tempting, these events often fuel overconsumption, waste, and a buy-now-think-later mentality. But, you can still enjoy the thrill of snagging a deal while being kinder to the planet. Shopping sustainably doesn't mean sitting out the sales; it just means being smarter about your choices. Here are some ways to shop sustainably this year. Quick links Plan your purchases Ask yourself: Do I need it? Shop local and small Buy secondhand or refurbished Opt for quality over quantity Donate, swap or sell before you buy Support ethical brands Don't forget about giving Tuesday Avoid "doorbuster" mentality Consolidate your orders to cut down waste Be thoughtful about packaging Watch out for greenwashing Plan your purchases The first rule of sustainable shopping? Go in with a game plan. Sales can lead to impulse buys, leaving you with items you didn’t need or truly want. Before the sales begin, take inventory of what you actually need. Whether it’s a replacement for a broken gadget, holiday gifts, or a wardrobe upgrade, create a list and stick to it. Pro tip: Bookmark the items you’re considering ahead of time. Many online stores allow you to save favourites, so you can quickly check their discounted prices on the day of the sale. Ask yourself: Do I need it? Impulse purchases are the enemy of sustainable shopping. Before adding that '70% off' sweater’ to your cart, pause for a moment and ask yourself these questions: Do I already own something similar? Will I use this regularly, or is it a one-time novelty? Is this an emotional purchase, or something I truly need? Take time to review your wishlist before the sales start. Identify items you genuinely need or have been planning to buy for a while. This approach helps you avoid falling for marketing tactics that push unnecessary consumption. Shop local and small Big-box retailers aren’t the only ones offering deals during this time. Local businesses and small shops often have Black Friday sales too, and your support means so much more to them. Small shops often create unique, high-quality products with care, and your purchase has a bigger impact on their bottom line. Plus, local shopping often means less transportation and packaging waste. Buy secondhand or refurbished Who says Black Friday and Cyber Monday have to be about buying new things? Secondhand doesn't mean second-best! Thrift shops, consignment stores, and online resale platforms like Depop, ThredUp, or Facebook Marketplace often have incredible finds, especially during the holiday season. Many refurbished electronics from platforms like Amazon Renewed or Back Market come with warranties. Buying secondhand reduces demand for new production and gives pre-loved items a second life. And it's often gentler on your wallet. Opt for quality over quantity It's tempting to grab five items for the price of one during a big sale, but let's be honest, those deals often don't last long. Cheap, low-quality products tend to wear out quickly, leaving you with regrets and even more waste. Instead, focus on buying fewer, better things. Look for high-quality items that are built to last and can be used in different ways, whether it's clothing, electronics, or home essentials. Sure, you might spend a little more upfront, but it pays off over time. Why we focus on quality, not quantity We are often asked why we don't have more products, more designs, or seasonal drops like other brands. The reason is simple - we take our time. Every product we create is years in the making, ensuring it's as climate-positive as it can be. For example, our phone cases. We are proud to confidently call them truly sustainable phone cases. They are made using eco-friendly materials and carefully designed to meet the highest environmental standards. Our plant-based cases use a unique blend of bio-materials like hemp, flax, cellulose, and PLA, combined with biodegradable PBAT to create a durable and compostable product (through industrial composting). Then there are our clear cases, which are made from leftover production materials and recycled glass. They’re designed to stay crystal clear with no yellowing over time. Donate, swap or sell before you buy Before you start adding new stuff to your life, take a moment to clear out the old. Go through your closet, drawers, or that pile of gadgets you never use, and sort out what is just taking up space. Donate gently used items to a local charity, list them for sale online, or host a swap party with friends - it’s a fun way to trade things you don’t need for something new-to-you. Not only does this make room for your Black Friday finds, but it also keeps perfectly good items from ending up in the trash. Support ethical brands Not all deals are created equal. Many fast-fashion or low-cost brands cut corners on labour practices and environmental standards to offer rock-bottom prices. Instead, look for ethical brands that prioritise sustainability, fair wages, and eco-friendly materials. Here is how you can spot ethical brands: Check for certifications: look for certifications like Fair Trade, GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard), or B Corp, which show they meet high standards for sustainability and ethics. Look for transparency: take a little time to read about their sustainability efforts. Many brands share details about how they source materials or treat workers. Support circular business models: our agood loop™ program let you return used items to be repurposed or recycled into new products, creating a closed-loop system that minimises waste. Shop small and local: don't overlook smaller, local businesses - they often have a much smaller environmental footprint and make unique, thoughtful products. Many ethical brands offer discounts during Black Friday, so you don't have to break the bank to shop responsibly. Don't forget about giving Tuesday Black Friday and Cyber Monday are all about spending, but Giving Tuesday is an opportunity to give back. Take some of the money you saved and donate it to a charity or initiative that aligns with your values. It’s a thoughtful way to end the shopping season with kindness and purpose. Avoid "doorbuster" mentality Black Friday’s infamous “doorbuster” deals are designed to create urgency and fear of missing out. However, these deals are often low-quality, overstocked items that retailers want to clear out. Avoid the rush and stick to your planned purchases. Remember, true savings come from buying things you genuinely need and will use. Consolidate your orders to cut down waste Online shopping is a lifesaver during sales season, but it often comes with a hefty environmental price tag. Multiple deliveries lead to more packaging waste and higher carbon emissions from transportation. To shop more sustainably, try to consolidate your purchases into as few orders as possible. If slower shipping options are available, opt for those - they are often better for the environment and can reduce the number of trips your items take to get to you. Simplify your shopping with sustainable bundles Our bundles make it easy to shop sustainably. Whether you are looking at our stone paper notebook packs or tech options like the phone case + MagSafe ring bundle or the case + screen protector bundle, you can get everything you need in one order at a discounted price. Plus, the tech bundles come with a free charging cable made from recycled materials. Practical, sustainable, and a great way to save money and cut down on packaging. Be thoughtful about packaging The growth of online shopping, especially around Black Friday and Cyber Monday, has created a mountain of packaging waste. You can help minimise this by supporting brands that prioritise minimal or recyclable packaging. Reuse materials like boxes and bubble wrap whenever possible, and recycle responsibly if you can't reuse them. Better yet, choose local pickup if it is an option. It's an easy way to cut down on both waste and transportation emissions while still enjoying the convenience of online shopping. Watch out for greenwashing Not all “eco” claims are legitimate. Terms like sustainable, green, or ethical can be thrown around loosely without much evidence to back them up. To avoid falling for greenwashing, look for third-party certifications like Fair Trade Certified, CarbonNeutral, or GOTS for organic textiles. Check if the company shares detailed and transparent information about their practices, from sourcing to production. Be wary of vague or overly broad language - if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Taking a closer look ensures your money supports brands that genuinely prioritise sustainability. Final thoughts Shopping sustainably during Black Friday and Cyber Monday doesn’t mean missing out on deals or fun. It’s about being intentional, thoughtful, and aware of the impact our choices have on the planet and people. With a little preparation and mindfulness, you can snag great deals while staying true to your values. This year, let’s redefine the holiday shopping season - not just as a time for spending, but as an opportunity to make choices that reflect our commitment to a better world.