Conscious consumerism is being aware of where your money really ends up when you spend it. It’s the practice of purchasing goods and services that the consumer (you) considers to be produced in an ethical manner.

Money leaves a social and environmental footprint wherever it goes. So if a company makes a habit of spilling oil in the ocean or refusing to give its employees benefits, you’re unknowingly saying “yes!” to all that by purchasing their stuff.

On the flip-side, conscious consumers are aware of all this and avoid products that do harm to or exploit humans, animals or the natural environment. They not only favor ethical products but also boycott merchandise and companies that act unscrupulously.

Tags: conscious consumerism, environmental impact, ethics, online shopping, shopping, social impact, spending