It depends on how you think about sustainability. Can you imagine the whole life cycle of a product you hold in hand? Where does it come from, and where is it going? Making a fully sustainable product is not an easy task. Many companies do their best to improve their processes. Nothing is perfect. In the end, we want products which make everyone happy.
Decision-making stages and questions to ask yourself when buying:
Where does it come from?
Who made it?
From what materials was it made?
How long will it serve its purpose?
What will happen to it when I stop using it?
How long will it exist on this planet?
When my children were young, I was horrified to find out that the life spine of disposable nappies exceeds my children's lives. I asked myself what is more important: my convenient life or life on this planet in 100 years? I mixed all available options: reusable, biodegradable and standard nappies. I used them all according to my life circumstances. My solution was not perfect, but it was the best I could do and afford at that time.
It is a question everyone needs to answer for themselves and make choices according to their beliefs.
There is a general misconception about purchases aiming to reduce the waist. Second-hand clothes or food which soon runs out of date is still considered a poor people's choice. However, it is also an educated person's choice, a person with higher socio-economic conciseness.
Here is how ChatGPT answered my question:
No, sustainable living is not just for poor people. In fact, it is important for people of all income levels to adopt sustainable practices in their daily lives to help protect the environment and ensure a better future for generations to come.
Sustainable living involves making choices that have a minimal impact on the environment, such as reducing waste, conserving energy, using eco-friendly products, and supporting local and sustainable businesses. While some sustainable products or practices may be more expensive initially, they often save money in the long run by reducing energy costs or reducing the need for future purchases.
In addition, many wealthy individuals and organisations are taking steps towards sustainability, such as investing in renewable energy, adopting eco-friendly practices in their businesses, and supporting sustainable agriculture.
Ultimately, sustainable living is a responsibility that falls on all individuals, regardless of their socioeconomic status.
