Written by Monserrat Menendez, Interior Designer
Drawing on years of professional expertise in interior design, Ms. Menendez presently excels as the founder and president of Senom Design.
Black Friday is one of the busiest shopping events of the year, with U.S. consumers spending roughly $9.8 billion during the discount-filled weekend in 2022. However, this surge in consumerism comes at a significant environmental cost.
Deliveries and carbon emissions
The boom in online shopping leads to an increase in packaging waste, product returns, and deliveries. Studies estimate that Black Friday deliveries alone generate approximately 429,000 tonnes of greenhouse gases annually. For perspective, last year’s Black Friday deliveries in the UK produced emissions equivalent to 435 return flights between London and New York, according to journalist Tamara Davison from CleanHub.
E-waste and fast fashion
Electronics and clothing dominate Black Friday sales but are also among the most environmentally harmful products:
Electronics
Only 20% of e-waste is recycled globally. Discarded gadgets can leak harmful materials like mercury and lead, posing severe health and environmental risks. Journalist Sarah Hibbens from National Geographic highlights that improper disposal of electronics disproportionately affects children, exposing them to chemicals that can cause neurological and cognitive disorders.
Fast fashion
Many shoppers stock up on inexpensive clothing during sales, but the fashion industry is a significant polluter. According to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, a truckload of textiles is wasted every second, with microplastics from these items polluting oceans.
Returns and disposal
Impulse buying during Black Friday often leads to regret, with 52% of consumers admitting they regret purchases. Consequently, there’s a 143% surge in product returns, which exacerbates the environmental footprint of these items. Returned goods require energy-intensive processes for transportation, cleaning, and repackaging—and sometimes even end up in landfills, notes Davison.
Fossil fuel consumption
From manufacturing to transportation, every stage of a product's lifecycle consumes fossil fuels. Electronics are a prime example, with 86.1% of the carbon emissions from a Dell laptop attributed to manufacturing, transport, and disposal. Black Friday amplifies this problem by encouraging overproduction to meet heightened demand.
How can we help reduce black Friday's environmental impact?
Despite the significant challenges posed by Black Friday, there are steps we can take to minimize the harm and make more sustainable choices.
Shop thoughtfully
Focus on quality over quantity: Opt for durable, long-lasting products instead of low-quality, short-lived items.
Buy only what you need: Avoid impulse purchases by making a list and sticking to it.
Support conscious brands
Some companies are setting an example by rejecting the traditional sales frenzy in favor of sustainability:
Patagonia: This outdoor brand encourages repairing clothes instead of buying new ones and promotes outdoor activities over shopping.
The ordinary: This skincare brand boycotts Black Friday by closing its website and offering month-long discounts through “Slowvember.”
Freitag: The brand allows customers to borrow products during the Black Friday period instead of purchasing them outright.
Reduce carbon emissions from deliveries
Request bundled shipping when purchasing multiple items.
Consolidate trips if shopping in-store.
Recycle and repurpose
Responsibly recycle old electronics, especially e-waste.
Donate or repurpose items you no longer use instead of discarding them.
Offset your carbon footprint
Consider offsetting your emissions by supporting initiatives like Carbonfund.org, which manages carbon-offset projects.
Conclusion
The results of Black Friday show the environmental toll of overconsumption, from massive carbon emissions to excess waste. However, by making mindful choices, supporting sustainable brands, and rethinking our shopping habits, we can enjoy the benefits of the season while reducing its harm to the planet.
This article includes insights from journalist Tamara Davison from CleanHub and Sarah Hibbens from National Geographic
Monserrat Menendez, Interior Designer
Drawing on years of professional expertise in interior design, Ms. Menendez presently excels as the founder and president of Senom Design. Through Senom, she aims to make projects not only beautiful, but sustainable, healthy, and approachable. Similarly, she specializes in turnkey rentals and property staging, custom product design, pre-construction, and more working with Iconic Modern Home in the Hamptons, New York City and Connecticut.
