Christmas looks a little different this year – and it’s not just due to the seemingly never-ending shadow of COVID-19, looming over our beloved festive period like the Grinch who once stole it.

Amongst the whirlwind of the past year, we’ve also been facing another crisis. One so drastic, and so important that it led 94-year-old Sir David Attenborough to join Instagram in a bid to halt the course of our planet’s devastation.

The conversation around our environmental challenges has seen an incredible rise in brands shifting to more environmentally conscious and sustainable ways of making and selling their products.  Consumers too have played a part in turning the tide, with many of us opting to shop used or second hand from smaller, more independent shops and websites.

But as we come up to one of the biggest shopping periods of the year, how can we make sure that we are cautious about the effect we have on the planet we live on and love?

Buying used gifts could be our biggest opportunity to not only reduce the impact of our Christmas carbon footprint but also give friends and family something that has an interesting backstory, its own tale to tell. In fact, new research from used photography and videography kit specialists, MPB, shows that half (50%) of Brits agree that used items offer interesting histories and stories, making them unique and compelling – with a similar number believing you can get far more for your money by buying used.

The environment is clearly on the brain for lots of us, with more than a quarter of Brits planning to give at least one second-hand or used gift this Christmas, and a significant number planning on using recycled wrapping paper and cards.

And for those worried gift receivers might be offended to unwrap something used, fear not – almost half (45%) would be happy to receive a used gift if it were in good condition, and three in ten (30%) would actually prefer to receive second hand or used gifts.

The figures suggest that the conversation around sustainability is starting to shift people’s attitudes on how and what they consume.

Buying used is becoming more and more recognised as being socially conscious as well as thrifty – a way of allowing people to own products they love in a way that’s good for the planet and the bank balance.

MPB’s CEO, Matt Barker, expects the trend to rise:

“At MPB, we have always championed buying used – but we expect to see an even bigger boom in used retail over the next 12 months as the trend for buying sustainably continues to grow. The world needs more circular businesses, who advocate the mentality that buying used is better than buying new – and begin to offer products that, quite literally, don’t cost the earth.”

If you’re curious about buying used this Christmas to gift friends and family, here are some ideal suggestions for photography lovers, travel obsessives, aspiring YouTube creators and more from MPB. But it doesn’t just have to be tech – there are also plenty of other brands and businesses out there promoting the circular economy, from fashion to books, antiques to interiors – why not try incorporating used into your Christmas shopping this year, even if it’s just one gift.

• Want to buy a gift for a photography beginner but on a budget? Check out this Canon Powershot G9 for under £150, a perfect starter camera for anyone looking to up the quality of their images – available from MPB

Used Canon Powershot G9

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Mpb.com

• Know someone obsessed with street photography? Why not surprise them with a Fujifilm X-Pro1, whose design is an homage to old rangefinders, offering those gorgeous colours synonymous with Fujifilm cameras for just over £300 – available from MPB

Used Fujifilm X-Pro 1

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Mpb.com

• Family member or friend off travelling when the world opens up? Make sure they capture their experience with a Fujifilm X100F – perfect for those who care about style and don’t wish to skimp on image quality on their travels but need to limit size and weight. A thoughtful gift for under £750 – available from MPB

Used Fujifilm X100F

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Mpb.com

• Want to help an aspiring YouTuber on their journey to stardom? The Sony Alpha A6400 really shines as a vlogger or creator’s tool, and makes the job of solo filming as easy and efficient as possible. Best paired with a Sony E 18-55mm lens, this one can be snapped up for just over £750 – available from MPB

Used Sony Alpha A6400

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Mpb.com

Maddy Grey

Maddy is a freelance journalist, PR and content writer. She has written for CRISP, HuffPost, heat magazine, Sabotage Times and City A.M. and has an interest in sustainability, travel and books, along with new up and coming restaurants and bars.

The post Buying Sustainably This Christmas With MPB appeared first on CRISP..

‘Buyers guilt’ manifests itself in consumers who are really just adhering to the product marketing that they get exposed to every single day. Yes, there are a lot of brands that are making a positive impact and important changes, but there are also many who greenwash – especially in the fashion industry. 

CRISP. is on a mission to bring its readers some of the most innovative fashion labels popping up all over the U.K. so that buyers can purchase items that won’t cost the earth. Whether it’s traditional brands who are taking steps to change their supply chains or startups who are giving us creative production ideas, we want to shed light on the brands hoping to change the way we consume.

As the negative environmental impact of fast-fashion consumer behaviour is becoming increasingly clear Maxwell-Scott, luxury leather designers, have decided to take a definitive stand. We caught up with the brand who told us that as well as continuing to honour their 25-year warranty on all their crafted products, Founder Maxwell-Scott believes “it is all of our duties to act in the most environmentally-friendly way possible” and expand this belief into all possible areas of the business. From statement bags to travel essentials, the brand has an exquisite capsule collection of products that offer Italian craftsmanship in the form of spring statement pieces. CRISP. loves that because many of the products are so impeccably finished, they can be repurposed to suit the consumer’s needs. 

So buying less and buying better is something we already know, but often it is easy to be intimidated by the pace at which styles change on the catwalk and forget this. Here is where ‘capsule’ becomes your favourite buzzword. Key items that can be re-styled, repurposed, and still keep their quality. Thanks to more brands like Maxwell-Scott, we’re excited for a collection of capsule items that are guaranteed to last 25 years (and probably beyond!)

Reusing materials that already exist is another way around producing more unnecessary fabrics and recycling what is already out there. This is something that innovative outwear brand Ponch has executed well in their recent collaboration with visual artist Leif Podhajsky. Everything in this urban rainwear collection is recycled or compostable from swing-tags to seals made from cornstarch to soy-based inks. Their packable ponchos are perfect for the festival season, with a high waterproof rating and made from 100% post-consumer plastic bottles so you can enjoy the rave guilt-free. 

Speaking of festival outfits, CRISP. Mag will be ‘do good’ dressing in tentree this year, an aspirational fashion brand who encourage environmental stewardship through earth-first apparel. Not only do they ensure all their clothing is sustainable, accessible and comfortable, they plant ten trees for every purchase made. As tentree advocate; ‘it’s not about being a hardcore environmentalist to make a difference’, it’s about making meaningful changes and contributions that all add up. To date they have planted over 30 million trees making a positive impact to communities around the world. 

With a duty to consume more responsibly we must start by changing our purchasing habits and force brands to adapt and become greener. Helping to accelerate that change are a handful of small creative startups with big ideas. Comovita is an online retailer with a mission to make the world a better place. Their website only stocks brands making a positive impact on the planet. Online you’ll find various features such as an intricate pre-orders system that ensures the consumer has time to make a conscious purchase and sellers don’t over-produce merchandise. In addition to this, they boast some exclusive collaborations like their latest one with WOMSH. They have partnered with WOMSH to launch a limited-edition capsule of sustainable & vegan sneakers  (made with Appleskin leather and recycled materials) to show both partner brands and consumers that this is the new way of doing fashion. 

With so many exciting and new avenues to explore, fashion is taking a turn we never thought would be possible, especially not on the high-street. As entrepreneurs, designers and do-gooders try to “ethicalise” the way we consume fashion, the responsibility now falls with the consumer to start making these vital changes to the way they wear their ‘drobe. 

Eloise Martin

Instagram – @eloiseemartinn

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