Black Friday used to be one day: the day after Thanksgiving. You’d eat leftovers, maybe go to one store with your mom or cousin, and that was it. It was a moment, not a month-long marketing saga.
Now?
Black Friday basically starts right after Halloween.
Every brand is blasting “Early Black Friday,” “Black Friday Starts Now,” “Black Friday Preview,” and the panic-shopping energy hits before November even starts.
It’s noisy. It’s chaotic. And honestly, it’s exhausting.
I’m not anti-shopping. I LOVE shopping. I love fashion. I love a great deal. But I’m anti-harming the planet shopping. Green Friday is about slowing down, shopping smarter, and choosing things you’ll love long after the sale countdown disappears.
Why Black Friday Causes Waste: The Hidden Environmental Cost of Mega Sales
When we take a step back and look at how Black Friday actually works.
Overproduction Creates Massive Fashion Waste
Brands overproduce by 20–30% specifically for Black Friday.
These products exist just to be discounted and many end up unsold, unwanted, or tossed.
Returns Add Billions of Pounds to Landfills
Holiday returns generate billions of pounds of waste every year, and many “returned” items aren’t resold; it’s cheaper for companies to dump them.
Shipping and Returns Increase Carbon Emissions
Expedited Black Friday shipping can create 40–50% more emissions because everything is rushed.
Ultra-Cheap Prices Usually Mean Unethical Labor
If a price seems too good to be true, it usually is just not for the person who made it.
Buying isn’t the problem.
Buying in a frenzy is.
What Is Green Friday? A Simple Guide to Sustainable Holiday Shopping
Green Friday is the alternative to the chaos. It’s a movement focused on:
- Buying less
- Buying better
- Buying intentionally
- Or not buying at all
It’s not about perfection. It’s about aligning your spending… with your values.
Examples of Green Friday in Real Life
- Choose quality over quantity
- Shop secondhand first
- Support small businesses and local makers
- Pick certified sustainable brands (GOTS, Fair Trade, OEKO-TEX, B Corp)
- Or take a break and enjoy a completely zero-shopping day
Green Friday = less pressure, more meaning.
Sustainable Shopping Tips for Green Friday (Easy & Actually Practical)
1. Make a “Need List” Before the Sales Start
Write down 3–5 items you genuinely need.
If it’s not on your list, it probably shouldn’t be in your cart.
2. Try the 48-Hour Rule for Impulse Purchases
If something catches your eye, wait two days.
If you still want it, great. If not, you just saved money and materials.
3. Do a Closet Audit Before Shopping
Try on your winter pieces.
What needs repairing? What needs replacing?
A 20-minute edit can prevent wasted purchases. If you are going to buy new, ask yourself, how many times will I wear this? Then make sure it’s quality and will last. (Expand on this a little)
4. Unexpected Places You Can Buy Used/Secondhand
Amazon — A lot of categories let you buy items “Used – Very Good” or “Renewed,” especially electronics, books, tools, and home goods.
Best Buy — Has a whole section for Open-Box and Refurbished electronics that function like new but cost less.
Walmart — Sells used and refurbished electronics and home items through verified third-party resellers.
Apple — Their Certified Refurbished program sells iPhones, iPads, laptops, and accessories that look new and come with a warranty.
Patagonia — Their Worn Wear program sells repaired and professionally cleaned used Patagonia pieces.
lululemon — Their Like New program sells gently used leggings, jackets, and gear.
IKEA — Their As-Is Online section lists returned or gently used furniture at a discount.
Pottery Barn — Runs an Open Box Outlet with discounted returned furniture and décor.
B&H Photo — One of the biggest used/refurbished markets for cameras, lenses, and audio gear.
GameStop — Tons of used video games and consoles.
5 . Shop Secondhand First (Best Green Friday Hack)
- Thrift stores
- Consignment shops
- Curated vintage
- Resale apps
- Facebook Marketplace
Secondhand = cheaper, lower impact, longer product life.
5. Choose Experience Gifts Instead of Material
- Concert tickets
- Workshops
- Spa days
- Cooking classes
- Local adventures
Memories last longer than flash sales.
6. Upgrade Your Basics Sustainably
When you do buy new, start with your workhorse items: denim, outerwear, knitwear, underwear, socks.
Look for:
✔ Natural fibers
✔ Recycled materials
✔ Quality construction
✔ Real supply-chain transparency
7. Repair, Mend, or Upcycle Clothing
Fix three things you already own this Green Friday:
- Patch a hole
- Re-heel boots
- Sew a missing button
- Re-dye something faded
8. Use Cost-Per-Wear to Shop More Sustainably
A $180 coat worn 150 times = $1.20 per wear
A $25 sparkly top worn once = $25 per wear
Cost-per-wear exposes which items are worth it, and which aren’t.
How to Talk About Green Friday (Without Being Preachy)
People often apologize when they mention buying something from Zara or Amazon. I always tell them, ‘Please don’t apologize, I’m not here to judge. I used to be addicted to fast fashion too. Then I learned.’ I don’t preach; I simply share why sustainability in fashion matters to me. It’s up to them to decide if it’s right for them. I suggest we all do the same: share what we believe in without lecturing. People respond better to enthusiasm, not guilt.
Ways to spread the Green Friday mindset:
- Post your plan online
- Host a clothing swap
- Share repair tips
- Recommend sustainable brands
- Tell companies you care about responsible production
These small shifts spark real change.
Green Friday Meaning: Why This Movement Matters
Green Friday isn’t about saying no. It’s about saying
“not like this.”
It’s about:
- Skipping the chaos
- Buying thoughtfully
- Choosing items that last
- Supporting people and the planet
- Building holiday traditions that don’t feel stressful
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- Instagram: @lexysilverstein
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You can email me at LexySilverstein@gmail.com
