Ahead of “Black Friday,” environmentalists are calling for sustainable consumption. They warn of the negative consequences of the bargain day for customers, manufacturers and the environment.
The “Black Friday” shopping event is drawing considerable criticism from environmentalists. They not only warn of the negative consequences of bargain hunting for the environment, but also for manufacturers and customers.
Many products purchased abroad via online marketplaces are imported illegally and do not meet applicable environmental or safety standards, said German Environmental Aid (DUH). It warns against counterfeit electronic items, adulterated cosmetics or children's toys contaminated with harmful substances.
After discount campaigns, products are often returned en masse, explained the DUH. These returns are often destroyed, which is a waste of resources. Environmentalists demanded that the next federal government must work to stop the destruction of returns by law. They called on consumers to reject the “consumer madness”.
“Green Friday” demanded
In addition, repairing items needs to be more encouraged. “In view of the climate, waste and resource crisis, we need a Green Friday instead of Black Friday with cheap offers to repair defective devices,” said DUH Federal Managing Director Barbara Metz. Especially when it comes to electrical appliances, Black Friday encourages people to buy new cheap goods instead of having old appliances repaired.
Bargain Day also tempts many consumers to buy clothing. Anyone who wants to buy something fashionable on days like Black Friday should pay attention to sustainability, emphasized Claudia Brück from Fairtrade Germany. “The question is: Do I really need this piece or do I already have something similar? How often will I wear it – and are there companies that produce fairly and sustainably?” Fair trade clothing protects the environment and improves conditions for local producers, for example when growing cotton.
Manufacturers also affected
Fair trade clothing protects the environment and improves the conditions for local producers, for example when growing cotton, says Brück. The rapidly changing fashion cycles of “fast fashion” are “catastrophic for the environment and lead to massive pressure on textile factories”. “The sufferers are the seamstresses: poor working conditions, unpaid overtime and low wages are the result.”
The German trade association expects sales of 5.9 billion euros for the Black Friday and “Cyber Monday” promotion days this year. Black Friday, whose name has several possible explanations, has its origins in the USA. In addition to the Advent Saturdays, the sales days surrounding Black Friday are among the most important of the year for retailers in Germany.
