In a world where over-consumption is an integral part of our lives, some people are taking the opposite path: collaborative consumption, local consumption, organic or/and bulk products, short circuits... Concerned about their health and the future of the planet, more and more French people are turning to a more responsible way of consumption. Is consuming differently an inevitable choice?
The industrial revolution gave birth to new actors of mass consumption. Without worrying about the environmental impact or our health, the priority was consumption.
Finally, following many studies and controls, many harmful points for the planet have emerged: Climate change, exploitation of developing countries, animal abuse, etc...
Since then, water has flowed under the bridge, so much so that today environmental issues have become a criterion of choice in the consumption of the French. In 2021, the ADEME (the French agency for ecological transition) noted that 3/4 of French consumers wanted to consume differently. Everyone now wants to focus on a more responsible behavior. Fortunately, we can count on the emergence of new sustainable actors to make consciences mature.
How does deconsumerism help us to consume differently?
Short circuits, organic, bulk, local and collaborative consumption, discover an overview of the new modes of consumption.
SUSTAINABLE CONSUMPTION
The collaborative
Collaborative consumption is a way of sharing between individuals: carpooling, collaborative farm, renting clothes... The idea here is to exchange or rent a good or a service with another person. This economic model answers the need to consume better. It is no longer a question of buying a good then leaving it in a room. No, here you bring back your clothes after use, you make your car trips together or barter one good for another.
Collaborative brands are booming. Some brands might interest you:
Collaborative farm: Heart Farm
Clothing rental: Possible
Collaborative supermarket : Les 400 coop
Barter of products or services : MyTroc
The zero waste
In a consumer society where waste accumulates, zero waste brings happiness and long life. More seriously, zero waste is a crucial step in reducing waste and therefore pollution. Without being pushed to the extreme, solutions exist to consume simply: bulk, reduced packaging, zero waste objects...
Grocery stores and organic shops often offer you to buy in bulk. You just have to bring an empty container and choose your food in bulk. Between fresh fruits and vegetables, seeds, rice and other food products, the choice is not lacking. Moreover, with more than 140 bulk grocery stores, France is the first country in the world on this market. This solution is one of the best ways to reduce your waste.
Moreover, if you are not too keen on bulk, you can still choose other zero waste products: solid soaps, ecological detergents, reusable food packaging.
Local consumption
Local consumption is a great alternative to hypermarkets. Besides having a more favorable environmental impact, it improves your health. You get to meet the producers, buy fresher products that you know the source and discover a healthier way of consuming. Some farmers even offer direct sales. This type of sale is perfect to know the origin of your fruits and vegetables. Even if it sometimes requires (small) sacrifices, local consumption wins the heart of many French people.
Second hand in favor of ecology
The second hand market is in vogue and this does not only concern fashion. Indeed, second hand also concerns other universes such as household appliances, furniture or cars. Who has never had the reflex to go on Le bon coin to find his new furniture. Without necessarily being aware of it, the second hand is already part of our habits.
Now it's the fashion market's turn. When we know that it is the most polluting sector in the world, consuming differently becomes inevitable. To remedy this, sustainable fashion brands are emerging. And if shopping used to be concentrated in department stores, it is now giving way to vintage and responsible boutiques. The emergence of thrift stores, both physical and online, is changing everyone's behavior.
Whether you're looking for a rare pearl at a flea market, getting a makeover at Vinted or snapping up a vintage cardigan in a vintage store, second-hand clothing is on the rise.
Let's hope that this trend remains anchored in our consumption habits.
Upcycling
Upcycling design is a term that comes up a lot at Rue Rangoli. Behind this word hides an alternative manufacturing process that consists in recycling objects from the top. In concrete terms, it's the idea of recovering old clothes or materials and transforming them into higher quality objects. For example, at Rue Rangoli, you'll find tire tubes turned into a waterproof designer backpack.
Upcycling isn't just a trend. In recent years, brands that specialize in this sector are flourishing. In fact, there are countless materials that lend themselves to the game of upcycling. Among them, the fabrics of hot-air balloons are transformed into leather goods, the shells into sunglasses, the pineapple leather into city shoes, and the elephant dung into ecological stationery.
CONCLUSION
At a time when mass consumption is omnipresent, behaviors are now turning towards deconsumerism. In this arena, responsible consumption actors are emerging. For food, some will choose a more local or collaborative consumption, while others will go towards zero waste. For fashion, thrift stores and sustainable fashion boutiques will be favored. Moreover, to consume differently, even small actions will be important.
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