Your Guide to a More Sustainable Black Friday

Every year, Black Friday unofficially kicks off the holiday season. What started in the 1980s as a massive sales day for stores has now become a month-long affair. Brands launch their Black Friday sales a fortnight before and continue them until the end of the year.

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It's hard to resist the unbeatable and tempting offers that are everywhere — from our inboxes and feeds to billboards screaming at us to consume more.

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Of course, it's a great time to save on stuff you love and would purchase eventually. But we should also be mindful of overconsumption. Here's how to navigate Black Friday sustainably:

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Use the Sales to Fulfill Needs

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Before diving into Black Friday sales, take some time to list all the items you plan to purchase. Separate them into wants and needs. Use the sales to fulfill items on your Needs list. Consider buying in bulk for products you'll use over the coming months. To shop more sustainably, try combining your orders so they can be shipped together in one box. Setting a Black Friday spending budget can also help keep your purchases in check.

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Set Your Intention for the Wants

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Impulse purchases trigger a dopamine release, making it challenging to shop with intention. To avoid the overconsumption frenzy, try the 24-hour rule: if you like something, leave it in your cart for a day. Since Black Friday deals typically last longer than a day, this pause allows you to reassess if you truly need the item. As a bonus, some brands might offer an additional discount if they see the product lingering in your cart. This approach can also reduce the likelihood of returns, which contribute to additional emissions and often result in items ending up in landfills. And yes, your dopamine receptors would still get activated.

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Also read: 6 Tips to Avoid Overconsumption When Shopping Online

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Log Off, Take a Hike

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App notifications and emails from brands often tempt us into unnecessary shopping. To be more intentional, consider switching off these notifications. You could even take it a step further and log off social media completely. Use that time to go on a hike, spend time in nature or with friends and family, or practice that craft you've been postponing for a while.

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Turn It Into a Declutter Day

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Consider using the Black Friday to Cyber Monday period for decluttering instead. Focus on clothes, shoes, bags, home goods, kitchen products, furniture, and even electronics. Make a list of items you no longer use and donate them to a thrift store, sell them online, or list them on your local Buy Nothing group. Alternatively, organize a swap event in your neighborhood or office. This approach allows people to acquire "new" items without spending money or contributing to overconsumption.

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When You Shop, Shop Sustainably

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Skip the greenwashing and find brands you can trust on Commons. Our sustainability experts have done the legwork for you. We've assessed hundreds of brands, rating them on accountability, materials, and slow consumption practices.

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