Five tips for making environmentally friendly shopping choices

Environmentally friendly consumption is becoming increasingly important. Every purchase decision we make has an impact on the planet and its future. If you want to reduce your ecological footprint and make better informed choices, here are five simple but effective tips for more environmentally friendly shopping.

1. Choose quality over quantity

High-quality and environmentally friendly products may be a bit more expensive, but last longer and have a smaller footprint on the environment. Pampering yourself with retail therapy may seem tempting, but cheap one-season-only clothes quickly lose their beautiful appearance and are then off to the trash, having used up a lot of resources.

If your budget is limited, it is good to know that all clothing items sold in Prisma stores, but particularly children's clothing, are fair trade and leave as little footprint as possible on the environment. By the end of 2025, we want to use only sustainably produced cotton in our own brand clothing (House, Ciraf, Luode12, WKLY) and in imported clothing and textiles, based on the principles of fair trade.

2. Choose products with eco and organic label

In shops, you can find lots of products with various green labels. If you want to be sure that the product you buy is environmentally friendly, check whether it has a well-known eco or organic label on it.

Type I ecolabels are reliable because they are issued by an independent organisation and comply with the ISO 14024 standard. These include, for example, the European Union Ecolabel Flower, the Nordic Swan label and the German Blue Angel ecolabel – products with these labels can be found in both major retail chains and smaller stores. The criteria for ecolabel products are set for product composition, packaging and efficiency.

Organic food is labelled with the ecolabel of the European Union – a white leaf formed of stars on a green background. In addition, the Estonian ecolabel can be used, but is not mandatory. Organic farming (or eco-farming) avoids the use of artificial fertilisers and chemicals in plant growing and animal farming, and its rules apply not only to arable land, but also to the processing of food, and to catering and the sale of food to ensure healthier and more environmentally friendly food.

Prisma's own brand Änglamark, which offers environmentally friendly and responsibly produced organic products at affordable prices, is an excellent choice for price-sensitive consumers. Änglamark's product range includes a wide selection of organic, environmentally and allergy-friendly products, including foodstuffs, hygiene products, household cleaning products and diapers. Änglamark's products are marked with either the Nordic Swan label or the European Union Ecolabel.

3. Make a shopping list before going to the store

Before you go to the store or start adding items in the cart in the online store, think about what you really need and update your shopping list accordingly. Look at what’s in your fridge and cupboards and remember what you already have. This way you can avoid excessive emotional purchases and do not have to throw away food later.

Buying frozen food is also a good option – it is often cheaper and all the valuable nutrients are still preserved. It is easy to store and quick to prepare as needed.

4. Buy food that expires on the same day

Grocery stores often offer discounted products with the best before date just around the corner. By purchasing these products, you will avoid wasting food and will save money. For example, in Prisma, products set to expire on the same day are at a 30% discount at the beginning of the day already, and will be 60% off starting at 8 PM. Many foods that expire on the same day, such as dairy products or pastries or vegetables, are still perfectly good to eat and tasty, especially if you plan to use or freeze them immediately. This way, you will help reduce food waste and contribute to more environmentally sustainable consumption.

5. Avoid unnecessary packaging

In the fruit and vegetable department, always think about whether you need to put each fruit in a separate plastic bag. Often, this is not necessary at all and you can stick the price sticker directly on the product. For potatoes, carrots, etc., take a small mesh or cloth bag with you, or use plastic bags repeatedly.

Keep a few reusable bags in your purse or backpack, in your car, baby stroller or office drawer so you can always take them with you to the store. If you still have to buy a new plastic or paper bag, use it several times, and if t is quite worn out in the end, you can use it for collecting packaging, cardboard or deposit packaging.

Environmentally friendly shopping is not only about changing your shopping habits, but also about being aware of the consequences of your consumption. Small steps such as using reusable bags, choosing high-quality products and buying products with an eco or organic label will help reduce the harmful impact on the environment. By making our consumption habits more responsible, we contribute to creating a more sustainable future for ourselves and for future generations.