Green Friday
Every November, on the occasion of Black Friday, we are offered a range of promotions by different brands. This commercial action from the United States, which encourages overconsumption during one weekend, does not always fall on good ground with companies and retailers. For several years, some have decided to boycott Black Friday and, in response, promote "Green Friday".
At Coddy, we want to take positive initiatives for our planet and think about how we can act responsibly to reduce our impact on the environment. This is why we have decided not to participate in Black Friday and instead support the "Green Friday" campaign. Let us explain.
What is Black Friday again?
At the end of November, just after celebrating Thanksgiving, Americans gather in front of major shopping malls, and queue up, sometimes for hours or even all night, to be in the first place to take advantage of the incredible discounts given, on the occasion of Black Friday. Black Friday or also “Crazy Friday" is originally a day when brands launch big sales to kick off the holiday season.
This promotion, which has existed in Europe since 2013, now lasts all weekend after Thanksgiving until Monday, known as Cyber Monday (because the promotions mainly take place on the internet from Friday to Monday).
Pollution, overconsumption, environmental impact
Unfortunately, there are not only good sides to this commercial action: Black Friday generates a series of consequential environmental problems that are being tackled today by environmental groups.
Overconsumption and "fast fashion" are the main example. Promotions encourage consumers to buy products they do not necessarily need.
Pollution, both digital and physical. Buying new, means getting rid of the used, but used doesn't always mean unusable. Some products, such as electronics, cause a lot of pollution because they are thrown away rather than repaired or recycled. We then talk about packaging waste, on the streets (and in the air) due to the many deliveries that will take place.
Water wasted for production
Greenhouse gases released during production
Overuse of plastics - which are likely to end up in the oceans.
Mining and processing of rare earth minerals
The "anti-Black Friday": "Green Friday" or "Climate Friday"
"Green Friday" is an initiative of environmental associations and retailers who ethically disagree with the principles of Black Friday.
Green Friday is also a collective founded by 7 members (Envie, Emmaus, Altermundi, DreamAct, Refer, Ressources and Rreuse), a philosophy for responsible and reasoned consumption!
This year, Coddy joined the collective to really get involved in the fight against overconsumption and against Black Friday.
🚫 Concretely, like the other members of the collective, we will not be promoting our products on that day.
💚 We will refund 10% of our sales, from 25 November 2022, to an association that supports Green Friday.
But it also encourages people to make rather than consume, or, if consuming is necessary or the temptation is too great, to buy from retailers who donate part of their sales to an environmental association (such as members of the "Green Friday" collective). The aim is to make consumers aware of the significant environmental impact of a day like Black Friday.
Coddy also wants to act positively
For several months now, our Coddy team has been looking for positive initiatives for the planet and thinking about how we can act responsibly to reduce our impact on the environment. Therefore, since last year, we decided not to participate in Black Friday and instead support the "Green Friday" campaign. This year, we are even an official member of the collective! 🍀
So there will be no promotion this Friday 25 November 2022.
On the other hand, we'll carry out two actions:
10% of our sales from friday will be donated to an association supported by Green Friday.
Additionally, 10% of our sales on all sales* from Saturday 26 to Monday 28 November will be donated to the association "The Ocean Cleanup".
We feel it is important to help the latter as it develops technologies to remove plastic from our oceans. You can find out more about this association by clicking HERE.
*On every product sold on our webshop
Are you aware?
🔴 Air pollution kills 7 million people a year worldwide.
🔴 In 2019, the richest 10% of the world's population accounted for almost half of greenhouse gases. In contrast, the poorest 50% were responsible for only 12% of global emissions. (Global Inequality Lab)
🔴 Textile production and transport generate 1.2 billion tons of greenhouse gases a year (ADEME).
🔴 63% of raw materials used by the textile industry, are chemical and 37% natural (of which 26% is cotton), according to ADEME.
Green Friday brings together associations, NGOs and companies that share the rejection of overconsumption and the promotion of virtuous alternatives. For more information on the collective, what it stands for and the solutions it promotes, see https://www.greenfriday.com.au
Let's fight against Black Friday! ✊
How about you?
What if you also did something this year? Do you know how to consume more responsibly?
You can - among other things... -
Think long-term: what do I really need and is it a product I can use for a long time?
Buy second-hand!
Buy Carbon credits: the currency to fight global warming. For more information on carbon credits, click here.
Give an activity, rather than a physical gift - this reduces waste.
Use reusable bags when shopping (to avoid plastic bags accumulating in different shops).
Use fabric or recycled paper to wrap presents.
Let's join in on Green Friday!
By following the small saving tips for responsible consumption, avoiding commercial promotions like Black Friday or donating to associations fighting for the well-being of our planet, ... let's do something together this year!
Did you know?
You can save up to 100% by not buying anything during Black Friday!
