2019 marks the 5th anniversary of Giving Tuesday in the U.K. This year is set to be the biggest yet as brands and consumers become increasingly aware of their power to convert consumerism into social good.
The social media-driven campaign, which falls the day after Cyber Monday, initially started in the US as a response to the notorious Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales. Each year these two huge annual shopping events have a devastating impact on our planet, as piles of unbought cheap goods end up unwanted in landfill sites. But with more than 70 countries now taking part, Giving Tuesday is a meaningful way to counter this damage, globally raising over $400m last year.
The Charities Aid Foundation, which oversees Giving Tuesday in the UK, reported that the campaign reached more than 41 million people in the UK alone, and raised £7.8m in much-needed funding for good causes.
So to help make Giving Tuesday even bigger and more impactful this year, we've created a list of ways you can get involved without breaking the bank. You're welcome 😜
Trade Uber for Bolt to fight climate change
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Ride-hailing app Uber transformed the London taxi scene thanks to affordable pricing and convenience. With their future operating in London in doubt following TFL's decision to reject the firm's application to renew its license there due to security issues, now is a perfect time to test its main rivals. Especially those like Bolt whose ambitious Green Plan now means that every ride in Europe is 100% carbon neutral.
Their multi-million-pound investment into fighting climate change by supporting several carbon offsetting projects, reducing emissions and using renewable energy means that they can cancel out the CO2 that your Bolt emits during your ride, making it a greener trip!
A truly ethical marketplace
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There is no doubt that resisting the temptation to take part in Black Friday and Cyber Monday can be hard, especially when the family Christmas list grows ever longer. But you can shop in guilt-free smugness at the Ethical Market - offering a specially curated range of ethical brands who abide by strict standards. With each purchase you know you are supporting transparent production processes with fair working practices and in return Aunty Marge will get something genuinely unique in her stocking, made with care, kindness and quality.
Harsh discounts can heavily impact an ethical supply chain, so instead on Black Friday Ethical Market donated 100% of their profits to Starlight Children's Foundation - so they are the perfect ethical trump card for this Giving Tuesday.
Support environmental causes through Patagonia Action Works
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Environmental Sustainability and ethical fashion have always been at the heart of Patagonia's mission. Now, through its Patagonia Action Works initiative, they are focusing on giving back throughout the holiday season, not just on Giving Tuesday. From Black Friday onwards, this kick-ass Bcorp business is match-funding all customer donations to one of the 1,000 environmental nonprofit organizations that Patagonia supports.
Above and beyond this holiday initiative, Patagonia lives and breaths it's sustainable credentials with it's 1% for the planet commitment - meaning 1% of its annual sales are donated to environmental causes around the world. Since 1985, that has amounted to more than $74 million in cash donations fed directly into organizations working in local communities.
Bag a deal for the next generation
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STATE bags are also known as #GiveBackPack(s). For every STATE bag you buy, this certified BCorp will hand-deliver a backpack - packed full of essential tools for success - to a local child in need.
The company is currently offering 35% off the whole collection, so technically it is having a sale, but it will be donating a portion of the Black Friday and Cyber Monday proceeds to The Osborne Foundation, a recent partner of STATE's #WhatDoWeTellTheKids initiative. From life-changing camp experience to creating safe, fair and dignified work for women around the world - this a company you can truly get behind this Giving Tuesday.
Happy #GivingTuesday from the team at Good-Loop.
