Make green choices this Black Friday to support local
This Friday marks Black Friday: the American post-Thanksgiving tradition of buying and buying cheap. It can yield some amazing bargains, and a lot of people use it as a way to get Christmas presents squared away. In Ireland, Black Friday has caught on in recent years, with more and more taking part in the frugal festivities.
As wonderful as it is to be able to save money, Black Friday can mean big retailers get a lot of attention. Smaller businesses are often left in the dust, and many Irish shops can’t sustainably offer discounts as big. The other issue is that it can be tempting to buy things you don’t need. That means more waste, which we know has a huge impact on the planet.
But there’s a solution! Green Friday is an initiative that has been growing in popularity in recent years. The idea is simple: buy local and support Irish where you can. Ireland has an amazing array of makers, movers, shakers, and changers with loads of incredible businesses so there’s no better place to shop.
Why Green Friday?
Buying local means the money you spend is going right back into your community. You’re supporting a local business, and that in turn supports the economy of our whole country. You’re ensuring a small business can continue to employ local people. Delivery costs are kept low and there’s a much smaller carbon footprint than the likes of international shipping. Plus, the service is unmatched!
As an added bonus, a lot of small businesses care deeply about giving back. Wild Atlantic Living, a gift shop in Kilrush Co Clare, is saying #FeckBlackFriday and instead donating 10% of its sales over the 24 hours to a local mother, Alannah Sheehan, battling grade 4 terminal brain cancer (@worth_fighting4). While Human Collective donates €3 per sweatshirt sold to Irish charities.
Green Friday doesn’t mean missing out on all of the bargains its Black counterpart creates, either. Plenty of Irish businesses and shops are running their own discounts. Kilkenny stores are offering up to 50% off across lots of great Irish products, while the likes of Chupi, Meaghers Pharmacy and plenty more have great bargains to be enjoyed. Small brands are doing great deals too, such as Little Bliss by Anna Daly, and some others which can be found here.
Shopping in 2022 is like a minefield. It can be hard to shop consciously, within your budget, and while being mindful of consumption and waste. But by engaging with your local community, finding some rare gems and once-off pieces, you can help turn a Black Friday green!
