Something is finally changing: more and more companies around the world are becoming aware of the environmental problems and many of these have already lined up on the side of those who want to do something to save our beautiful planet. Etsy is one of them!
I am particularly fond of this platform because I am part of it, with my eco-friendly creations.
What is Etsy?
Etsy is the global marketplace for handmade, unique and original items, and vintage treasures.
It’s home to a world of creatives, the place where the slow and meticulous work of craftsmen has a great value and where all those objects of the past may have a new life in the hands of some enthusiasts.
If you want to fight the exploitation of workers, pay the right compensation, support craftsmen and small businesses, and for many other reasons that I explained here, this is the right place for you!
Today Etsy is taking an important step forward in its commitment to sustainability.
How is it possible? It is well known that transporting online orders around the world requires a significant amount of energy and resources, it releases carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, contributing to climate change.
In fact, if on one hand more and more artisans follow a philosophy that tends to minimize the environmental impact, choosing eco-friendly materials and making recycling an important element of growth, on the other hand shipping goods represents 98% of Etsy’s total emissions of carbon dioxide.
But here comes the good news!
What is Etsy’s commitment?
To become the first global online shopping destination to offset its carbon footprint, Etsy is partnering with climate change expert 3Degrees, and it is now committed to supporting a series of sustainability initiatives:
- the protection of forests, which improve air quality and absorb carbon dioxide
- sponsoring wind and solar farms that generate clean energy and replace fossil fuels
- developing greener production methods.
From now on, for every purchase on Etsy, the company will automatically fund an initiative that will rebalance the impact on the environment, and there’s no cost or action required for buyers or sellers.
It is useful to remember another aspect: direct contact with the artisan is very important on Etsy and it is very easy to send a message to make custom requests before a purchase. So I recommend writing to the seller asking to avoid unnecessary packaging and to use eco-friendly or recycled materials for shipping, if possible without plastic.
So, if you want to reduce your environmental impact when you choose to buy online, remember that Etsy is a step forward!
In addition to the environment, if you would like to support me too, helping me to become a better eco-friendly crafter, improve and keep researching the most ecological materials and techniques, here you can buy my handmade products.