Does a Sustainable Lifestyle Cost More?

The conundrum of wanting to live a sustainable lifestyle and not being able to afford organic body wash and sustainable clothing is quite real.

The price difference between sustainable products and those you’ve been buying all along can be quite dramatic. A common thought at this point is this: why should I be bearing the brunt of a high price along with the stress that comes with changing lifestyle habits? Shouldn’t it be the other way round?

Fair enough. But the truth is, sustainable living does not have to be dearer than ‘conventional’ living. In fact, if you’re doing sustainable living right, it will end up being much cheaper!

Confused? Don’t worry.

In this article, we’ve touched upon some of the most important aspects of the cost of sustainable living. Stay with us!

Why are Sustainable Products Expensive?

Given below are 3 main factors why sustainable products are often expensive:

1. It’s a Niche Market: Fast fashion is still the standard in manufacturing. Most businesses prioritise profits and competitive pricing in order to drive sales. This is why the demand for sustainable products isn’t high enough, leading to low competition, low production, and high prices. It’s a vicious circle.

2. The High Cost of Labour: Most sustainable products are made ethically. Moreover, these items are often handmade, which requires much more time and effort. Besides, the employees are paid well and offered important human rights, which is often not the case with other products.

3. The High Cost of Raw Materials: Sustainable products are made using ethically-sourced materials. This can mean choosing natural fabrics over synthetic fabrics, wood and paper over cheap plastic, and/or materials that are farmed in sustainable manners. Needless to say, these choices cost more, driving prices of the final products up.

“It’s not your fault. We live in an exploitative capitalist society that thrives on rampant consumption.”

It All Depends on How You Define ‘Costs’

Several sustainable brands are quite expensive (for reasons mentioned above). However, remember that your money would be going towards providing labourers with fair wages and pleasant working conditions. In addition, sustainable organisations put the environment on the forefront.

On the other hand, ‘conventional’ companies often thrive by relying on unfair means of production. In addition, environmental costs are rarely factored in by them. There’s a lot of harm hiding behind the low-price tag of unethically-produced items.

So, if a company is offering low prices at the cost of exploiting human beings and the planet, ask yourself this: are the products really cheaper?

Most Sustainable Products Are an Investment You Must Make Once

Most changes you make to shift to a sustainable lifestyle will require a one-time investment. Often, that cost is much higher than you might be used to paying for a similar item. However, the true cost of these items lies in the fact that they’ll be thrown away after being used a few times. Investing in items that aren’t made for single use will be more cost-effective in the long-run.

For example, a menstrual cup costing 600 INR is more expensive than a pack of sanitary napkins priced at 250 INR. However, a menstrual cup will last you for years on end; as against sanitary napkins that need to be purchased every single month.

“Paying a big amount for one long-lasting item is cheaper than paying small amounts for (many) disposable items.”

Sustainable Living is Made to ‘Look’ Expensive

Social media largely defines our thoughts and opinions, and sustainable living isn’t an exception. Ethical bloggers and influencers are promoting sustainable living by painting it as something that’s dreamy, aesthetic, and luxurious.

As a result, sustainable living seems exorbitant because it would require purchasing a lot of eco-conscious products — minimal furniture, linen clothing, zero-waste accessories, etc. However, there’s a huge gap between what sustainable living is made to seem, and what it really is.

Sustainable Living is About Being a Mindful Consumer

The most sustainable option is the one you already own.

Here’s an example: We all know that most products made from plastic are not eco-friendly. However, the right way to embrace sustainability would be to use the plastic you already own to its maximum potential; instead of throwing it away, and replacing it with sustainably-made alternatives.

Furthermore, you don’t need a green alternative for every product you give up. The key to sustainable living is to buy how much you truly need.

“It’s not just about what you buy, but also about how much you buy”

Lastly, Cheaper Sustainable Options Exist…

Let’s not ignore the fact there are cheaper sustainable alternatives available too! For instance, opting for second-hand products and scanning through online thrifting platforms can land you some great deals! Furthermore, taking the bus instead of buying an electric car can save you a lot of bucks!

Sure, these options might require you to compromise on comfort, but in return, you’d be playing a huge part in saving our planet!

Key Takeaway: It is true that oftentimes, sustainable products are heavy on the pocket. This is owing to the high costs of labour and raw materials, and a low demand. However, when done right, sustainable living can end up being much cheaper than conventional ways of living. It’s all about making the right choices and stretching the life of all that you own.