As the world braces itself for the hectic overconsumption of Black Friday, another movement is gaining momentum and awareness: White Monday. Originating in Sweden, White Monday has established itself as an alternative movement to Black Friday’s consumer-driven chaos. It is held on the Monday before Black Friday and encourages consumers to shift from the idea of mindless purchasing and instead consider more responsible consumption habits. White Monday aligns with a sustainable ethos – encouraging repair, reuse and making conscious choices over impulsive, unnecessary impulse-purchases.
What is White Monday All About?
White Monday challenges us to reconsider our relationship with consumption. Instead of giving in to the Black Friday deals that promise bargains at the cost of labour and the environment, White Monday is a call to celebrate thoughtful and responsible buying choices and to support businesses and companies that contribute positively to people and the planet. It’s a day to remind ourselves that the true cost of a product goes beyond the price tag; it encompasses environmental and social impacts.
For consumers, White Monday presents an opportunity to choose products that are ethically produced, long-lasting and respectful of workers and the environment. It’s about supporting brands and products, such as textiles, that commit to sustainable practices, and that’s where Global Standard comes in.
Global Standard: Advocating for Sustainability Beyond the Sale
At Global Standard, we believe that every purchasing decision should reflect a commitment to ecological and social responsibility. Our certification, the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), for textiles sets stringent standards for organic fibres, social criteria and ecological practices throughout the entire supply chain. When customers choose GOTS-certified products, they’re not only buying a piece of clothing but investing in a transparent, ethical and sustainable industry.
Global Standard aligns with White Monday in several ways:
- Global Standard encourages brands and small business owners to prioritise sustainable resources and minimise waste, moving toward a closed-loop system. GOTS-certified companies are held to high standards that discourage the fast fashion mentality and encourage more mindful production and consumption cycles.
- GOTS certification demands fair treatment and working conditions for employees across the supply chain, ensuring safe workplaces, fair wages and no child labour. For customers, this translates to a garment that represents a more sustainable, socially responsible choice and made by an organisation that respects human rights.
- Traditional textile production is water- and chemical-intensive, often with massively negative effects on ecosystems. GOTS-certified products adhere to strict ecological criteria, from organic fibre cultivation without toxic pesticides to eco-friendly dyes and chemicals that minimise environmental harm. By choosing GOTS-certified products, consumers can reduce their environmental footprint and be part of a meaningful impact.
How to Support White Monday with GOTS-certified Products
There are several ways consumers can participate in White Monday:
- Choose GOTS-certified products: If you need to buy new textiles, look for the GOTS label that ensures the product is certified.
- Buy Less, Choose Well, Make It Last: Avoid impulsive buying. Instead, opt for quality over quantity and choose timeless, durable items that will last longer. Check out behindtheseams.eco for GOTS-certified brands.
- Consider Second-hand and Repair Options: Look for GOTS-certified products in second-hand shops or consider repairing a favourite item before buying something new.
- Stay Informed: Learn more about sustainable and certified products. Ask questions about where and how a product was made to understand the impact of your purchase.
- Be Part of the Conversations: Share the White Monday message with friends and family. Social media can be a powerful tool for spreading awareness about the importance of sustainable consumption and brands that contribute positively to this movement.
- Take Stock of Your Closet: One of the best steps toward mindful consumption is knowing what you already own. Take on the challenge of creating an Excel sheet with every single item in our closets, categorising each piece. Seeing everything listed this way can be eye-opening and it reminded us how much we truly own. If creating a spreadsheet feels too intensive, even writing it all down can give you a fresh perspective. Take stock of what you own! consider inviting a friend to look through your clothes.
- An Outside Perspective: Consider inviting a friend to look through your clothes. This can help you see a piece in a new light and inspire fresh ideas to wear it.
Building a Future Beyond Black Friday
White Monday reminds us all that change is possible. Every buying decision is a chance to also impact the world positively, and certified organic products offer a way for consumers to align their choices with a more sustainable future. By choosing GOTS-certified goods, everyone can become part of the change towards a more sustainable textile industry, protecting both the environment and the people behind each garment.
This White Monday, let’s all celebrate by making choices that display our values and make that special more than a counter to Black Friday – we can make it a commitment to a more responsible future!
