Ever find yourself in a bind when it comes to shopping sustainably? We sure have. To help deliver the antidote, we’ve joined forces with passionate eco-activist Tamara DiMattina and Momentum Energy to streamline your shopping experience—from weekly groceries to gifting wish lists and finding that perfect party dress.
After witnessing the infuriatingly nonchalant Western approach to waste during her travels throughout India and Antarctica in 2010, DiMattina founded Buy Nothing New Month, a global movement advocating mindful consumption and promoting beautiful alternatives to the harmful over-indulgences of capitalism. Two years later, The New Joneses was conceptualised—an award-winning free and fully functional, all-electric home showcasing how to live sustainability. Fast forward 13 years, and DiMattina continues to create campaigns that inspire audiences to make small meaningful changes, from your choice of energy provider, bank, hot water system and food you consume.
Here are five simple ways to shake up those shopping habits for good.
Gift Your Time
You won’t find DiMattina’s go-to gift in some overcrowded store when it comes to the festive season, she’s all about creating precious pockets of quality time with loved ones. Surprise your bestie with an at-home spa day or perhaps organise a picnic with your lover’s favourite treats to take to their favourite beach side spot. In these tough financial times, treating someone to a little pamper or adventure will make a bigger difference than you may realise, while also supporting small local businesses along the way. A total win-win.
Be A Thoughtful Shopper
We’re told not to go shopping hungry for a reason—the Australian Government discovered that the average Aussie throws approximately 312kg of food away every year, attributing to a stomach-curdling 2.5 million tonnes of food each year. When it comes to leftovers, DiMattina believes it’s worth trying anything to avoid landfill, whether it be freezing them to save slaving over an oven another night or feeding them to the dog, but more importantly, it’s about pre-planning your meals, writing lists ahead of time and purchasing produce from local markets or stores that avoid those nasty pointless plastics and chemicals as much as possible. Choice is not just crucial when it comes to your shopping, it's crucial when it comes to your energy provider too—after all, you're using it every day. Momentum Energy is proudly Aussie owned and run, so you know you're investing back into Australian business.
Add A Little Green To Someone’s Day
Ditch the usual run-of-the-mill birthday gifts from overwhelming, over-air-conditioned shopping centres and embrace the green revolution. We’ve never met a fiddle leaf fig that we didn’t like, or if your giftee is a notorious plant killer, head to the succulent aisle of your local garden store—those babies are almost indestructible. These living, breathing organisms inject oxygen, are said to improve air quality and, of course, add a pop of colour to any home or dull space.
Get Friendly With Your Local Thrift Stores
Ready for a treasure hunt? Op shops are a goldmine of unique finds simply waiting for their next adventure—it’s budget-friendly, helps support charities and communities in need, and also makes for a fun afternoon out. Bring along your besties and see what gems you can find. Hot tip: many of the big stores will often have a designer or gold seal rack where they put aside an endless array of luxe designer brands for cheap.
Share, Swap, Re-use
Splurged on that must-have outfit, only to have it gather dust in our closet for fear of being caught outfit-repeating (gasp) on social media after the event? Guilty. DiMattina founded Buy Nothing New Month to shake free of this outdated mindset, encouraging consumers to find ways to let that expensive fit dazzle in its second life. Throw it up on Depop or Facebook Marketplace to make some extra dollars, organise a mini-swap meet with your pals or why not pick up a new hobby and learn to sew—this will give you freedom to shake up that one outfit and create something even more fabulous and unique. Thrifting extends the life of clothing, which means less waste in landfill—a win. Those passionate about the environment will also be eager to know that with Momentum Energy, you can add GreenPower to your electricity plan. GreenPower is a government program where your electricity company buys accredited renewable electricity on your behalf, meaning that your money goes towards accredited renewable electricity projects across the country.
If you want to make an easy, meaningful change, look at Momentum Energy. They're owned by Hydro Tasmania, Australia's largest generator of renewable energy—so when you're supporting Momentum Energy, you're also supporting Hydro Tasmania.
For more tips on saving your hard earned cash and the planet, check out The New Joneses new series out this October.
Editor’s note: this article was produced in partnership with Momentum Energy. Thank you for supporting the partners who make Urban List possible. To read our editorial policy, click here.
Images: Urban List