not impossible to shop ethically

There's an article making the rounds on Facebook this week about the "myth of the ethical shopper." In it, the author tells us why consumer advocacy campaigns and "voting with your dollar" don't work. What he ignores is one important point: like most things in life, this isn't an all-or-nothing game.

When you choose to eat healthfully, does one slice of pizza negate a month's worth of fresh fruits and vegetables? Of course not. When you shop ethically, the fact that you have not single-handedly solved the global garment industry's problems does not mean your choice didn't matter. While we do need to take a hard look at the global policies that create horrific working conditions for workers, I'm a firm believer that one life matters. If your purchase (or lack of purchase!) changed one individual's life for the better, I'm for it. And I hope you are too.

"Shopping ethically" has certainly become trendy, and it's difficult as a consumer to make choices that align with our own values. Like all-natural or sustainable, we've entered into some serious buzzword territory, and it's often difficult to separate the wheat from the chaff. Below you'll find the standards by which I shop. They make work for you; they may not. I encourage you to create your own roadmap for shopping ethically, and to remember that being a force for good in this world is never impossible--it's just not always easy.

1. Define ethical.

Everyone's definition of ethical is different. For some, choosing vegan products is the most important. For others, vegan isn't even on the radar. And ethics aren't static -- they'll change with new information. Sometimes it really is a matter of the lesser of two evils -- or, to put it positively, a step in the right direction!

2. Read labels. Ask questions. Then ask more questions.

You might see on a product label that something is ethically produced or natural -- but what does that mean? You won't know until you ask. Any company that really works toward an ethical goal will be happy to answer your questions. Small brands are often easier to work with than larger ones in this respect. For example, everyone who works at GladRags knows exactly where our products are cut and sewn (and have probably even had lunch with the people who made your pads).

3. Look for certifications that are meaningful.

If you know what you care about -- where it's made, how it's made, what it's made of -- you can look for certifications that measure a company's impact in that area. Be careful: some certifications can be attained by jumping through hoops and following the letter of the law, without the spirit. Personally, I look for certified Benefit Corporations. It's a tough certification to earn -- I should know, GladRags has gone through certification twice! --  and is holistic enough that a company can't do well in one area (like making organic products) while simultaneously ignoring something else (like pay equity).

4. Consume less or buy used.

Simply put, the easiest way to become an ethical shopper is to shop less. Buying used or bartering with friends doesn't bring new items into the waste stream, and reduces the need for more production. Buy only what you need, choose items that will last for years, and care for those items well.

Yes, shopping ethically is more work than giving up. But your choices and your actions matter. Never, ever doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.