mini steps
Buying locally is something that is said to be great for many different reasons, the environment, economy, and welfare of workers etc… But why does it matter. Does it actually help the economy? Do the benefits really outweigh the costs and extra effort? Of course, we have all heard of the faraway effects of buying locally. But it’s much easier to be convinced to do something when you can actually see the tangible impact that it has on the world, and with local shopping there is many.
First of all, when we buy locally the money stays close to home and recycles that way. This small, local economy created means more supply chains that are locally owned are created and more money is invested in the employees themselves, you know, the reason why you get most of your produce anyways. Money in the local economy benefits everyone involved. For example, a small family of farmers grow produce that is then locally sold. It ends up at a local restaurant, the farmers pay their local employees, and the restaurant uses their revenue to pay for local delivery service, or shop at a local hardware store. This cycle means you would be supporting your neighbours, friends and people close to home.
Now let’s get to the environment… The sheer amount of benefit that buying locally has on the environment is incredible. Buying locally means less processing, less packaging and certainly way less transportation. Every year from Australia alone around $187 billion worth of imports is being transported for consumers who don’t buy locally. Literally so much of this is being cut down. All of the harmful processes like fuel for transport and packaging and everything else is absent when you locally shop AND you leave less carbon footprint along the way. Have I convinced you yet?