This is a great question that deserves attention!

When we talk about ethics, we talk about values ​​and when we talk about values, we talk about divergence. This is, among other things, what makes the human species so beautiful! But not always... In short, overall ethics is the moral sense, the set of moral principles which are the basis of an individual's conduct.

But what is ethical purchasing or responsible purchasing?

We often see synonyms for ethical purchasing such as responsible purchasing or fair purchasing. The Responsible Purchasing Observatory (France) gives an interesting definition: “ Any purchase integrating, in a spirit of balance between stakeholders, requirements, specifications and criteria in favor of the protection and enhancement of the environment, social progress and economic development. The buyer seeks efficiency, improvement in the quality of services and optimization of overall costs (immediate and deferred) within a value chain and measures the impact . »

It is therefore a way of purchasing which will take into account all the components of a product, from its production to its end of life and overall its impact on the environment, economics and social aspects. In short, it is the action of thinking about the consequence of your purchase for you and for the world around you.

The positive impact of ethical purchasing

For many, this behavior was initially adopted by purchasing organic and local food. Others have now integrated this into electric cars, ethical investments (RRSP or stock market), household equipment and, of course, ecological and responsible clothing.

In all cases, ethical purchasing has a positive impact in several respects:

1. The company, the worker and his community

By promoting local purchasing or purchasing from small, ethical businesses, this helps them.

In addition, the region's economy will definitely grow. Indeed, the more purchases increase, the more job creation will be promoted. Promoting local purchasing therefore allows for a redistribution of profits in the community through income to employees.

Within the framework of fair trade, small businesses protect themselves from the imposition of highly influential business contracts and are entitled to fair and constant prices to ensure good working conditions.

Ethical purchasing also promotes the reduction of wealth gaps.

Indeed, by encouraging increased rights for local farmers and producers, ethical shopping helps close the wealth gap and ensure that wealthier business owners are offered better pay and working conditions to their workers.

Indeed, ethical trade promotes better living conditions for its workers. This concerns both salary, working time as well as the health and safety of workers. This also has the effect of giving increasing power to local communities. A fair and equitable salary allows workers to provide education for their families, for example. Increased knowledge of the area has positive repercussions on the entire community. Better financial support also helps eliminate health problems in the community.

2- The environment

One of the primary environmental benefits of ethical goods is that they aim to both reduce consumption and damage to natural resources. An ethical business will aim to minimize the use of chemicals whilst sourcing following strict codes of ethics so that the environment recovers now and for the future.

Then, ethical purchasing promotes environmentally friendly innovations. The more we want, the more we will get. Consumers have immense power that paves the way for an eco-friendly approach and products that could propel the market towards a much more acceptable social and environmental era.

3- Growing increase in consumer power

The advent of different computer technologies and, more recently , social marketing allows consumers to become more aware of the behavior of companies but also the possibility of influencing production in many industries.

As customers, we literally have the opportunity to communicate more directly with companies but also to use social networks to assert our choices and opinions.

There are many ways to shop ethically and the best way to start will always be to take it one step at a time, one purchase at a time.

In terms of ethical or responsible clothing, for some this may mean making second-hand purchases, for others reducing your wardrobe to a minimum with timeless key garments and for another group of individuals, it will be to buy all their ecological clothing .

And you, what will be your next step?

Ecologically yours,