Favoring eco-responsible consumption starts with simple little things. There are multiple alternatives to act for the environment , and often it is enough to change a few everyday actions , or adopt a new routine to contribute to the preservation of our planet .
Everything is possible, even on our scale. In this article, we show you lots of good reasons to consume local . Don’t hesitate to share them with those around you!
1 - Favoring local artisans and producers is essential
By choosing local Swiss (and neighboring) artisans, you encourage creators full of imagination to offer you unique and authentic products. If you try not to buy from large industrial chains, this allows you to promote original and true know-how, but also to make a nice gesture for the environment.
The decoration you bought locally, the cakes prepared by your favorite baker, or a piece of clothing specially designed by a local designer, all of this has inestimable value. The craftsmen work patiently and adapt to all your requests.
Do you want a piece of jewelry made from local wood, and completely personalized? You know that at Wooper we can offer you all of this at once! You choose your design, your text, and the shape of your jewelry. We shape the creations according to your desires to be able to offer you the bracelet of your dreams 100% local .
If you look carefully in your region, we are sure that you will meet artisans that you will like: cosmetics, decoration, food, clothing... You can find (almost) everything in Switzerland.
2 - Consuming seasonal products is good for your health!
If you decide to buy mainly local for your food, you will be able to discover lots of seasonal products. No more resources that have traveled miles by plane or truck. You will quickly realize that Switzerland is full of market gardeners and producers of all kinds.
To create beautiful, quality plates, it is essential to find good products. By consuming fruits and vegetables picked close to your home and when ripe, the food is eaten quickly and therefore does not undergo any alteration of nutrients. Healthy products full of vitamins: nothing better for a body full of energy and a strong mind!
Eating from local farmers also means highlighting their work: in fact, feeding the world is not that easy. In addition, you significantly reduce your carbon footprint by preventing your food from traveling many kilometers.
If you don't know where to find these products, you can contact one of our partners: Sustainable Convergence . You will see on their site many grocery stores that work sustainably and fairly. Don't hesitate to ask your local authority, they will surely be able to give you lots of good tips.
3 - Buying local reduces the carbon footprint. Owl, right?
What does consuming through short circuits consist of? It's simply buying directly from the person who produces. It is also possible to do it indirectly, and it often involves a single intermediary. The latter will sell on farms or in the markets what he has bought from local producers or artisans.
When you choose to favor this type of purchase, you considerably reduce the production of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide. You know, these famous gases produced by humans, which cause a large accumulation of heat. The planet continues to warm at breakneck speed, and changing our purchasing habits will undoubtedly reduce the carbon footprint.
For this, consuming local is an excellent alternative. Fewer kilometers with transport necessarily generate less pollution. Clearly, there is more than one advantage to consuming eco-responsibly!
To read: our article on local associations which act for the environment
4 - Consuming close to home reduces waste
Yes, no more transport over kilometers, no more boxes, plastics and other possible disposable containers! By choosing local consumption, you can significantly reduce waste production by starting by taking your own bags. Whether it's for food shopping or pleasure purchases in decoration, cosmetics, jewelry, all you need is your little wicker basket, a fabric or paper bag.
Many bulk stores have emerged and you can go there with glass jars, or even small fabric bags. This way, these containers are infinitely reusable. In addition, it is certain that these visible actions can affect a large number of people, especially if your basket is very cute and your bags completely personalized (like with a beautiful wooden diffuser hanging on the handle for example :)). Don't hesitate to write messages full of kindness and love to encourage other individuals to take the plunge.
5 - Go local: it's good for the planet, and for your wallet!
We often tend to think that consuming local costs more. So yes, quality and work with love have a price. But the money is invested sustainably by promoting these professions and these materials found in the region. In fact, you still benefit financially. By favoring short circuits, you participate in the local economy, which is important to set up a win-win circuit.
In reality, since transport costs are lower and intermediaries are almost non-existent, you can be assured that local products will represent less weight in your budget. Combining saving money, love of local and responsible consumption is therefore possible. By sharing our tips, we all benefit, that’s for sure. To help you find local products, consult the region's website , there is a lot of interesting information.
To finish this article, we are going to tell you this beautiful Native American legend, the famous fable of the hummingbird:
One day, legend has it, there was a huge forest fire.
All the terrified, dismayed animals watched helplessly as the disaster unfolded before their eyes. Only the little hummingbird was active, fetching a few drops with its beak to throw on the fire.
After a moment, the armadillo, annoyed by this agitation which seemed trivial to him, said to him: “Hummingbird!
You're not crazy ? It’s not with these drops of water that you’re going to put out the fire.” And the hummingbird replied: “I know that, but I am doing my part. »
The little hummingbird had understood that every gesture counts, no matter how small, even in a struggle that seems endless. If everyone does their part, at their own level, we can hope to act sustainably for the planet. And you, what are your daily gestures to consume differently? Tell us everything in the comments :)!
