Why do some people choose to avoid Black Friday sales?<\/h3>\n
These days, Black Friday is synonymous with frenzied shopping sprees,<\/span> people queuing at stores or staying glued to screens to bag items at discounted prices that they don\u2019t necessarily need, which often end up as landfill. And with scenes of pandemonium in high street stores as customers race to grab cheap goods going viral on social media and being shown on national news, it\u2019s safe to say that many believe that Black Friday doesn\u2019t tend to bring out the best in humanity.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Refreshingly, there is a counter culture movement known as Green Friday, which encourages consumers not to make impulsive buys and instead to make conscious choices that will have a positive impact on the planet, such as buying sustainable brands, donating to charity or volunteering to do conservation work to offset the negative impact the unnecessary consumption of Black Friday has on the planet.<\/span><\/p>\n There are a number of ways you can contribute to this countermovement, whether shopping ethically, donating to a charity, buying second-hand or even using a giveaway app. H<\/span>ere are our top choices for ethical purchases this Green Friday.<\/span><\/p>\n Increasingly, a few brave brands out there are choosing not to join the discounts bunfight, but to donate instead. Outdoor footwear brand Keen is running a \u2018You Buy, We Donate\u2019 initiative, giving \u20ac5 of each purchase made on its website<\/a> during the Cyber Week period (19-29 November) to EOCA, the European Outdoor Conservation Association. The company is running a campaign to choose from three worthy conservation causes \u2013 see here for more information<\/a> and to vote.<\/p>\n A good quality set of kitchen knives not only makes cooking joyful whatever mood you\u2019re in, but is arguably a lifelong investment.\u00a0<\/span>TOG<\/a> knives are crafted in the Samurai sword tradition using the highest quality Japanese steel, with Kebony maple handles. TOG doesn\u2019t offer discounts, however on Black Friday 2021, for every order over \u00a3100, it will donate \u00a320 to<\/a> FareShare<\/a>, a charity that finds perfectly good food that would otherwise go to waste and redistributes it to vulnerable children and families. Every single order will buy 80 hot meals at lunch clubs for older people, domestic violence refuges, children\u2019s breakfast clubs, community cafes and homeless shelters.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n It is possible to make the most of deals that do good as well as saving you a buck or two. You\u2019ll find discounts and deals for brands such as Halfords<\/a>, The North Face<\/a> and Oakley<\/a> at online voucher network BravoVoucher<\/a>. For every purchase made\u00a0<\/span>between Black Friday and Christmas, BravoVoucher will plant a tree in collaboration with Eden Reforestation Projects<\/a>, an international non-profit organisation which provides local people with a fair wage to plant, cultivate and protect trees.\u00a0<\/span>The initiative was launched to promote an eco-sustainable philosophy, even in the world of online shopping, and BravoVoucher aim to plant 500,000 trees over five years in Kenya.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n At one-stop green shop, Always Forever Green<\/a> you\u2019ll find everything from fairly traded fashion, handmade furniture plus ethical jewellery and gifts to reusable nappies and natural beauty and cleaning products. As well as exclusively stocking sustainable brands, you can shop according to your values and every purchase has a purpose, as you are awarded five tokens for every \u00a31 you spend and your token tally can be redeemed towards planting and protecting trees or ocean clearing. On Green Friday, they are offering 10% off all their products when you use the code: GREENFRI10.<\/span><\/p>\n If you don\u2019t want to miss the endorphin rush of finding a new outfit or device, host a Green Friday preloved items swapping party. One person\u2019s trash can be another\u2019s treasure, whether that\u2019s a jumper that no longer fits or an old phone that\u2019s just been upgraded. Simply gather up any items that are still in good nick, invite your guests to do the same, ask them to bring a dish and their beverage of choice and get swapping. Any items that don\u2019t find a home can be taken to the local charity shop. If hosting is not your bag, head to your local charity shops for a browse, or shop online at Oxfam<\/a>, Vinted<\/a> or try Olio<\/a> \u2013 a giveaway app that\u2019s aimed at combating food poverty.<\/span><\/p>\n Countless small businesses suffered during the last year as many were forced to close due to the pandemic, and they need all the help they can get. So walk, cycle or take the bus to your local independent shops or farmer\u2019s market and spend your money there. Talk to the business owner to find out if they stock any ethical or locally made items. Stop for a cuppa and a slice of homemade cake at your local independent cafe while you\u2019re at it. It\u2019s not all bad this shopping malarkey.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n COP26 has got us all talking about what we can do for our planet. Willow Bough, @ieva_bee_art<\/a>, @wandsworthoasis<\/a>, @RootstoJungle1<\/a> & friends are bringing you Green Friday on 26 November. What is Green Friday?<\/h3>\n
How do I participate in Green Friday?<\/h3>\n
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<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>Buy from companies that are donating<\/h3>\n
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<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>Shop deals with a difference<\/h3>\n
Host a preloved swapping party<\/h3>\n
Shop independent<\/h3>\n