Responsible consumption

The Sustainable Development Goals, also known as the Global Goals, were adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015 as a universal call to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity. by 2030. In its Goal 12, it invites us to review production and consumption models, urging us to make a choice of products and services based on their quality and price, their environmental and social impact, and the conduct of the companies that use them. elaborate.

We understand by responsible consumption an attitude on the part of consumers and users that implies making a conscious and critical consumption, which is demonstrated, both when buying a product or contracting a service, and at home, efficiently using the resources of those that are available. This behavior is based on two maxims, which are to consume less and that what we consume is as sustainable and supportive as possible.

In this sense, buying responsibly means questioning what is expendable and what is not when buying; what our real economic availability is and then choose the products, not only for their price or quality, but also because they are respectful of the environment and because the companies that produce them comply with human rights and the principles of social justice .

Individual consumers are the most important actors with the greatest potential in promoting sustainable consumption. For this reason, the Responsible Society and Company Foundation promotes these 10 consumption criteria so that our daily lives are a little more responsible and sustainable:

• Avoid unnecessary consumption

Is it really necessary? It is difficult to differentiate between need and desire, but we recommend that before buying, you have to consider whether that product is really essential and reduce consumption to what is necessary.

• Information and transparency

When you buy, find out about how it is manufactured, what raw materials are used, if its production process impacts the environment. For this, it is very important to read the labeling of the products, but also to investigate on your own, since sometimes this is not exhaustive.

• Equal opportunities and rights

The responsible consumption must also take into account the situation of the workers who have produced the good, or who provide the service. In this sense, the supplier must guarantee decent working conditions, equity in salary policy among its employees, equal opportunities in access to work and stable and sustainable jobs, among other aspects.

• Reuse products with useful life

A good practice is to reuse and repair a product before generating a new purchase. There is also the option of taking it to a second-hand store or giving it away to social organizations such as shelters or charitable associations.

• And, if it is not possible, recycle

Taking advantage of materials or their components at the end of their useful life reduces the amount of waste and makes it possible to obtain raw material for new materials cheaper than if they were manufactured for the first time.

• think local

Consuming local products not only helps boost the economy of the region, but in the case of some goods such as agricultural goods, it allows you to stock up on fresh products with more nutrients. In addition, it contributes to maintaining local biodiversity, you will reduce the emission of polluting gases, since transport from a more distant place is avoided.

• Use clean and efficient energy

Opting for clean energy makes an important contribution to the environment, since negative effects such as air pollution, destruction of the ozone layer, acid rain, loss of biodiversity, etc. are avoided. In addition, gestures such as turning off the lights and electrical devices that are not being used, using low-consumption light bulbs and taking advantage of all the hours of natural light will optimize energy expenditure in an efficient way.

• Sustainable transport

The use of public transport saves energy 75% transporting the same number of people the same distance. In addition, a private vehicle consumes three times more energy and produces three times more greenhouse gas emissions than the average public transport.

• Switch to Fair Trade

Fair Trade is a cooperation tool whose objective is to improve market access for the most disadvantaged producers and change the unfair rules of international trade that consolidate global poverty and inequality. Buying products with the Fair Trade seal promotes sustainable development and ensures the rights of the producers and workers involved.

• What can you do?

In addition to choosing socially responsible products and services, as consumers we have many more opportunities to actively participate in social responsibility. They are practices that go beyond consumption.