Sustainable shopping is one way to give back to local community artisans and ensure your travel has a positive impact. According to a recent American Express survey on global travel, 81% of people prefer that their money go directly to local communities when they’re on holiday. What’s more, around 50% said they prefer to shop locally with small, independent businesses wherever possible.
As a company that champions responsible tourism, we’ve put our heads together and come up with a guide to shopping sustainably whenever and wherever you travel.
Shop Fair Trade
One easy way to be more sustainable with your shopping is to look out for items and businesses that are Fair Trade certified. The World Fair Trade Organisation (WFTO) helps people secure better trading conditions and improved working rights, especially in marginalised communities.
Currently, the WFTO works in over 70 countries worldwide and with thousands of different businesses and social enterprises. Not only does the accreditation aim to positively impact people through fair wages and good working conditions it also strives to protect the planet by encouraging businesses to use raw, local materials and renewable energy sources.
Spotting a Fair Trade product is easy thanks to the organisation’s visible labels. Businesses that have the stamp are eager to promote their Fair Trade status to visitors. For example, if you’re heading off to Colombia, you’ll find many coffee plantation tours that are Fair Trade certified.
Sometimes, you might not spot a single Fair Trade label at your destination. This doesn’t mean those items aren’t Fair Trade. It’s always worth asking the seller where and with what materials something was made, so you can gauge whether it’s eco-friendly and locally sourced.
Pick Handmade over Commercial Mass-Produced
Choosing handcrafted items over mass-produced products is the more sustainable way to go. Not only are handmade objects unique, but they are also usually eco-friendly, and made from local materials in someone’s home or workshop rather than a factory. Buying local goods is a fantastic way to help keep ancient traditional crafts alive for future generations.
Planning a safari adventure in Kenya? Kazuri’s beaded jewellery makes for wonderful souvenirs. It’s all individually crafted and intricately painted by a team of 340 local women who live in villages scattered around Nairobi’s outskirts.
Those hoping to book a trip to Tanzania should put Shanga on their radar. The social enterprise creates exquisite homewares and accessories from a mix of locally sourced and recycled materials. Currently, Shanga employs around 30 people with disabilities in its small workshop in Arusha. You can visit them as part of a tour of Northern Tanzania or browse Shanga products at stockists in Dar es Salaam and elsewhere.
Support Small Shops And Artisans
Going directly to local artisans is a great way to buy high-quality items lovingly made by hand. Buying from the original creator gives you transparency about where an item comes from and where your money is going, but it could also lead you to unearth a unique story about how it was made. Depending on where you’re holidaying, you might have the chance to visit a local pottery studio or weaver’s workshop where you can buy local crafts and see how they’re made.
Some countries, like India, make an active effort to promote local artisans. If Delhi is on your travel bucket list, make sure you stop off at Dilli Haat. The trade centre features dozens of stalls selling all kinds of locally sourced handicrafts, delicious ethnic foods, and traditionally crafted gifts.
Support A Cause
Shopping sustainably can mean seeking out brands that support worthy causes. Many NGOs and social enterprises have handicraft shops which empower local communities. Some brands actively support a particular cause with each purchase or donate a percentage of profits to projects that help fund vital support groups in places like rural India.
The environmentally conscious can seek out organisations like Ocean Sole. The Kenyan-based social enterprise regularly runs beach clean-ups and uses the rubbish, including hundreds of pairs of washed up flip flops, to create vibrant pieces of art. These are all handmade and available to purchase at Ocean Sole’s online shop.
Asking Questions
If it’s not clear or obvious that a shop or product is sustainable, ask shop or stall owners and craftsmen about their wares. Here are a few possible questions to consider:
- What is the product made from and is it eco-friendly?
- Who made it and how?
- How long did it take to craft?
- Is it organic or certified Fair Trade?
- Does it support a local cause?
Are you curious about the history of an item and why it was made? Many workshops offer tours where these questions are answered in detail. For instance, the Jacaranda Workshop is an NGO in Nairobi that supports and showcases items from local artisans who have mental or physical disabilities.
Let’s Shop Responsibly
Looking for more tips and recommendations for shopping sustainably at your chosen holiday destination? Don’t hesitate to contact our experts. If you’re booking a responsible getaway with us, we can incorporate visits to markets and workshops into your itinerary.
Check out these sample itineraries
Luxury Golden Triangle India Tour
Masai Mara and Beach Holiday
Highlights of Northern Tanzania
Colombia Tour From Bogota
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