We’re Using “No Ethical Consumption Under Capitalism” All Wrong

I hear this phrase thrown around way too often in the eco space but also in all parts of the internet: there is no ethical consumption under capitalism. But, I’m afraid that almost everyone is using it incorrectly and using it to justify their overconsumption habits. So, what does this phrase even mean?

Repairing my vintage sewing machine

The history

The history of people becoming more conscious about who was and is making our stuff began in the 1980s and 1990s broadly speaking. People really started to question things such as animal testing, slavery, institutional racism, and more. The most well-known boycott of the time was food producers who were benefiting from the apartheid in South Africa. Similarly to how many of us are boycotting some big brands associated with the genocide of Palestinians today.

Unfortunately, the best source I have for the precise origins of this phrase is Google AI (if you want to know more about the environmental impact of AI, check out this video). I know, not the most trustworthy, but the link it provides would not let me access the website. But, these origins are 2014 Tumblr and Twitter memes and art that were against an Elle UK fashion campaign. This was really when the knowledge of fast fashion started to spread.

Making kombucha at home

What does this phrase mean?

I think Sunstroke Magazine says it really well: “Well, the gist is that under capitalism, there will always inherently be harm done; whether this consumption affects workers, consumers, or the environment, it is inevitable that there will be victims due to the cyclical nature of this greedy system. This greed is an incentive to sell the cheapest and quickest made products that more often than not result in pollution and unsafe workplaces.”

It means that even if you choose the most sustainable brand that you know, it is still not 100% perfectly ethical. Even if you shop at the refill store, at the farmers market, secondhand, there is going to be some level of unethicalness to it. For example, if you choose a local coffee shop over Starbucks, that is a great ethical choice. But it’s still not perfect. Where did they get their coffee? Where did they get their cups? What kind of energy is powering that coffee shop? Do they serve vegan options? And so on and so forth.

I don’t say this so that we are more critical of these businesses, the point is for us to be far more critical of capitalism. The point is that no matter how hard we try to be perfect, we can’t be. The same goes for zero waste or plastic-free living. You cannot be perfectly zero waste nor can you be perfectly plastic-free under our current systems.

That is the point of this phrase: no one is perfect and we should not stress perfection. We should not criticize one another or criticize small businesses, but rather we should criticize capitalism and recognize how unsustainable and unethical it is to the core.

Shopping for secondhand books

How it’s being used incorrectly

But…that does not mean that this phrase should be used as an excuse.

“No ethical consumption under capitalism” is meant for people who have no choice but to shop at fast fashion due to the availability of sizes or low prices. It is not meant as a justification for influencers to do $1000 Shein or Temu hauls.

“No ethical consumption under capitalism” is meant for those like you and me to feel less guilty about making better but not perfect choices. It is not meant as a justification to buy the new iPhone as soon as it launches even though your old one works perfectly fine.

“No ethical consumption under capitalism” is meant as a reminder that I am not to blame and neither are you but it is not meant as a justification to buy products made with slave labor and animal testing.

That is how it’s blown up in recent months and years. I have seen time and time again large influencers doing massive fast fashion hauls only to be critiqued by environmentalists. These influencers come back and use the phrase “oh but there is no ethical consumption under capitalism!” Sure, that is correct, but it is not an excuse to be frivolous and wasteful. Especially for someone who can afford to make the choice between fast fashion and slow fashion. Especially for someone who is able to make the choice between a small business an Amazon.

Yes, I am aware that not everyone can shop small or eat vegan or avoid fast fashion entirely. That is not the problem here. It is people using this phrase as an excuse to shop as much as they want and throw away as much as they want.

If fast fashion is your only choice, but pieces you will use for a long time and take care of them.

Small sunscreen brand I love!

What should we do?

We make a choice every time we spend money. Our money could go to a sustainable, ethical business or to one that prioritizes profits over people and the planet. That’s a little phrase called “voting with your dollar” that we explored a few weeks ago. If you are able to, please consider shopping small (it’s inherently better for the planet) and avoiding wasteful brands, especially the MOST wasteful ones like Coca-Cola, Starbucks, Amazon, and Shein to name a few. Every dollar we spend has power. It can go to a greedy CEO who will continue to pollute the planet and union bust and exploit their workers or it can go to a small business who is reducing their waste and giving back to their local community.

It is also important that we use this phrase correctly and correct people when they’re wrong. Please do so kindly. No one is going to be open to learning if you’re rude.

Remember that while there truly is no perfect way to shop under capitalism (there will always be exploitation and waste), this is not an excuse to overconsume. I know, I’m probably preaching to the choir. We’re already a bunch that shops only when necessary, but I just needed to clear the air.

Think before you buy, repair, mend, upcycle, recycle, shop secondhand, borrow, trade, and so much more. Do all of that before shopping new. When shopping new, opt for small and sustainable businesses. Keep businesses like Amazon and Target as a last resort. If you do have to buy something unethical and unsustainable, do your best to make it last a long time. You can turn fast fashion into something sustainable by making it last if that is your only option.

Do what you can. The climate crisis is not your fault nor is the waste crisis or the crisis of unethical labor used worldwide. But, we do have a part to play. Every dollar we spend matters. Every time we are able to choose a small and sustainable business matters. Let’s keep it up!

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

Emma