Here in the US, there are a lot of boycotts happening right now against big corporations over a variety of political and human rights issues.
If you are DONE giving money to billionaires, supporting greedy business practices, paying companies to underpay workers, watching corporations destroy the environment with your dollars, and also want to save money and be more sustainable, you're in the right place!
10 Simple Swaps You Can Make to Support Small Businesses, Your Wallet, and the Environment:
1. Toilet Paper - Buy from company who gives a crap!
Rather than stopping by your big grocery chain (like Walmart) to buy a pack of TP wrapped in plastic, head over to whogivesacrap.com and get yourself some sustainable bamboo or recycled toilet paper that not only is shipped conveniently to your door with no plastic packaging, but it also helps saves lives. YES REALLY. They donate 50% of profits to build toilets and improve sanitation in the developing world. Around 289,000 children under five die every year from diarrheal diseases caused by poor water and sanitation. So, with your purchase, you are helping save lives and the planet. Bet you didn't know your crap could do that! Haha, now go get yourself some better toilet paper!
2. Buy a Bidet - Reduce your TP usage with this amazing device.
You'd never clean a kid's sticky hands with a dry napkin (you'd get it wet first), but yet we clean our butts with dry toilet paper and somehow think that means we're clean. Using a bidet is the way to get yourself truly clean, plus reduce your toilet paper use (you will just need to use a little to dry off).
Warning: I haven't bought in a bidet yet myself as it's quite an investment, but I tried my friend's when I was at her house and was converted. My favorite sustainable YouTube creator Shelizleee recommends TUSHY, so that's what I plan to get as well.
3. Paper Towels - Reduce your use entirely and buy from a sustainable company.
Similarly to points one and two, rather than picking up plastic wrapped paper towel rolls at by your big grocery chain, consider reducing your usage of single use paper towels entirely (read this blog to learn how) and when you need them, you can buy from Who Gives a Crap to get paper towels made from recycled materials.
4. Tissues - Try reusable tissues for your nose.
Yeah I know that sounds gross, but it really isn't. I got some reusable cotton tissues on Etsy from lagirafecouture. I loved them so much I got myself another set. They are easy to throw in the wash and then fold and use again. If they start to get discolored I just run them in a load with a little bleach and they come out white again. Plus, this will save you so much in the long run from not buying single use tissues.
Or if that's not your thing or you want to continue having some on hand for guests, you can also buy single use tissues from Who Gives a Crap.
5. Laundry Detergent - Care for your clothes and the planet.
Stop getting those massive plastic jugs at the store. Instead get Dropps zero plastic laundry detergent straight to your door whenever you need it. I love this laundry soap. Its so easy to use and works great. I also love not having to deal with spilling soapy liquid anymore. You just grab a pod, throw it in, and press start! Even little kids could start a load with this. Plus there is significantly less impact with shipping since it is so much lighter and there is zero plastic waste. The cardboard boxes it comes in are easy to flatten and recycle.
6. Shampoo & Conditioner - Try a solid bar.
There are lots of brands you can try. Personally I still haven't found a shampoo bar that I love (let me know in the comments if you've found one you love!) but I do love HiBAR's conditioner bars. These bars also seem to last me a lot longer than a traditional bottle does so wins all around for your wallet and the planet (aka no plastic waste).
7. Hand and Body Soap - Switch to a small brand solid bar.
Up until now I have been getting my hand and body soap bars at Walmart. But I'm currently trying to buy less from them due to their DEI rollback and other issues, so as soon as I run out of what I have I am going to switch to a small local brand. Any recommendations? Let me know in the comments.
However, just switching from bottled liquid soap to bar soap is going to help the planet by reducing plastic waste (as most bar soaps come without plastic packaging) and shipping emissions as bar soap is much smaller and lighter to ship than liquid soap. It will also help your budget because you won't have to pay for the water anymore, you've already got hot water in your bathroom you pay for. No need to pay for more in your soap.
8. Plastic Bottles - Bring a reusable water bottle everywhere you go.
Thanks to this habit, I never buy plastic water bottles and I rarely buy other drinks in aluminum cans or plastic bottles. You're way more tempted to buy a water, juice, coffee, or soda when you're out if you have nothing to else to drink with you.
If you really like to drink something with flavor, you can bring a flavored water, coffee, or tea from home when you go out. This will save you money AND make you healthier at the same time. This will also help you avoid buying from massive companies like Coca Cola, Pepsi, Starbucks, and others.
And when you do buy drinks out, look for local or smaller brands and head to your local coffee shop rather than a national chain.
9. Clothing - Shop second hand first.
When you realize you need an item of clothing, rather than shopping for it new online or running to the closest big box store, try your local thrift shop or a second hand online shop first. If you can't find what you're looking for, no worries, but if you do, you'll not only save a lot of money, you'll also be saving that item from going to landfill and saving the item you would have bought new from being taken off the shelves (aka you are not paying them to have made it).
10. Swap your next shopping trip or online shopping time for outdoor recreation or a free community event instead.
The majority of the items in this list were essentials, but in order to opt out of buying non-essentials, you must reduce your temptation to buy them. The next time you're tempted to hang out with friends at the mall or Target suggest walking around at the park instead. The next time you feel lonely and want to search for new clothes / decor online or on Amazon, consider searching your city's website for free events instead.
If you do, you'll start to realize your heart is more full, your friend group is larger, and your wallet is fuller.
I hope you found these tips to boycott big corporations helpful, not only for your political activism, but also for your life in general and to help you save money.
Keep voting with your dollar!
I'm rooting for you... and all of us.
COMMENT BELOW:
What other swaps have you made to help you reduce your spending at big companies?
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