Why IS Shopping Small So Much Better For the Planet?

I say it all the time: “shopping small is inherently better for the planet,” but why is that the case?

Let’s find out today as we explore shopping small versus supporting mega-corporations and how that impacts not only your neighbors and your wallet but also the planet.

Shipping & Transportation

Now, it’s hard to find exact figures comparing a mom-and-pop shop in your neighborhood versus Amazon, for example. Those small shops in your town don’t have to report their emissions and many don’t have the capacity to do those calculations.

That being said, we can just use some common sense in many of these categories.

Typically speaking, small businesses have a smaller carbon footprint. Why? Well, they aren’t on a global scale. They just simply are not shipping as much as larger companies. That plus oftentimes, their audience is right in their neighborhood which reduces shipping or even allows for personal drop off or pick up options further reducing emissions.

We also have to look at the big picture. Let’s say there’s a small candle business in town. Yes, they might have to order ingredients from out of state which does increase emissions, but now that candle is made and sold right in your neighborhood. Now take a candle from Target. Whoever made that candle had to go through the same steps of ordering ingredients from out of state but that candle manufacturer might not be in your state either. It was shipped to this Target.

What I’m saying is that, yeah, there will always be SOME sort of shipping, but it’s far less with a small business!

Not only is this reducing emissions on the small business’ part, but your part, too. Sustainable Connections estimates that individuals reduce their driving by 26% when they have access to small businesses to do their shopping.

Having access to more and more local businesses closer to your home means the less you have to travel.

This is all multiplied when looking at things like food! Supporting a small farmer just a few miles away creates far fewer emissions than shopping at your grocery store.

Energy

I talked about this with small grocery stores like Aldi and Trader Joe’s, but since small businesses are, you know, small, they don’t require nearly as much energy simply to operate. They aren’t running giant warehouses and processing plants. They are often operated out of their own homes or small shops in your town.

Even just talking about the store font, it’s using less energy to light, heat, and cool that small space than something the size of Walmart.

This article from Australia states that the government will even help small businesses when it comes to implementing sustainable energy practices!

Waste

Small businesses are also more inclined to reduce waste and reuse items instead of throwing valuable products away. Companies like Shein do not see deadstock fabric as valuable, but a small business will and they will find ways to save as much money as they can by reusing.

I’m also willing to bet that they are more likely to implement eco-business practices than larger companies because they are not just focused on record profits but customer satisfaction. While we’re on fashion, there’s a small clothing company I LOVE called Poppy Lu. They make 100% of their clothing from recycled textiles be it from the thrift store or other means. You would NEVER catch a fast fashion company using old textiles to upcycle a new garment.

Plus, it’s usually a small team or even just a one-person show. This means it’s much easier to get in contact with them to give your feedback. Be kind, of course, but if you are not pleased with how much plastic they use, kindly let them know!

How bad are corporations?

Well, considering just 100 companies are responsible for 71% of emissions? They’re bad.

This all boils down to one thing: money. Corporations are solely focused on profits. They cut corners for the employees and the planet in the process.

Are they doing better? Yes. But the bar is so low. I will not call Amazon an eco company or say they are good because they slightly reduced their packaging and planted a few trees. That is the bare minimum when you have global dominance and create huge amounts of emissions.

Without being too redundant, here are some things that corporations do that are not great for the planet:

Not sourcing ingredients and materials locally, vastly increasing emissions
Not consolidating products into fewer and smaller packages, increased the number and size of the material needed
Using larger manufacturing plants and warehouses that take a lot of energy to heat, cool, and light
Shipping worldwide and providing same-day shipping
Air, ground, water, and physical pollution is very common amongst fast fashion giants, harming plants, animals, and people

And this is just a few!

Other non-environmental businesses

Yes, I know you’re here for the planet (me, too) but there are SO many more benefits to shopping small that aren’t necessarily better for the planet, but better for your community! This includes:

More jobs in the area
Keeping your community unique and diverse
Keeping the money in your neighborhood versus the pockets of a CEO 100s-1000s of miles away (according to Sustainable Connections, “For every $100 spent at a locally owned business, $68 recirculates and remains in our local economy. Only $43 remains in our community when it’s spent at a national chain.”)
Community support from those businesses. They are much more likely to donate to local events, schools, charities, etc than a corporation in your neighborhood.
You have better, higher quality, and more unique items to choose from
They are great for building community and getting to know the people you live near
Locally grown and made food is almost certainly better for your health!

Meow Meow Tweet is one of my fav small businesses!

But doesn’t it cost more?

Usually, yes. But we have to examine why!

Small businesses cost more not to rip us off, but because they don’t cut corners. They are choosing the most eco-friendly packaging and local ingredients and paying their staff fairly. None of this can be said for companies like H&M or Amazon. They cut corners for their employees and the environment and we reap the benefits in the form of cheap junk.

You do have to pay a bit more for higher quality, handmade, and ethical items.

It is a big privilege to be able to shop small. I know that. I am not saying everyone needs to drop everything and only shop small or you’re a bad environmentalist. Do what you can. I don’t even buy 100% local, no one does. In this society that does not prioritize small businesses, it’s hard to shop small 100% of the time.

What I am asking you is next time you want a little coffee, try a local spot and not Starbucks. The next time you want a new piece of decor, check out a local artist instead of Home Goods. Want to start a new hobby? Try the locally operated craft store instead of Hobby Lobby.

It starts with becoming conscious of our actions. It can be so second nature to hop on Amazon and buy whatever impulse comes in your head. Instead, take the time to think about that purchase, first of all, and then try to find that item locally to you.

If you can’t shop small due to costs or maybe you just can’t find what you’re looking for, your next best option (actually, it’s probably better, learn about the importance of shopping secondhand in this video) is to shop secondhand. Not only secondhand, but once again, avoid the big guys like Goodwill and Savers (learn the truth about thrift stores in this video) and opt for a locally operated thrift store. This is a great way to save some money AND shop in an eco-friendly way that still gives back to your community. Plus, these prices are almost certainly better than Goodwill!

I know this topic is challenging to find hard facts on but I hope you learned something today. I hope you find some new small and local businesses to support! I share a lot every single year for the holidays, so check out my old gift guides and stay tuned for this year’s for more small business shout outs!

Why do you shop small?

As always, remember that your small actions make a big difference in the long run :)

Emma